Dear Orlando,

We have been working especially this year on HIV-AIDS education, and in particular opened a HIV/AIDS Library at the FCT School of Nursing and Midwifery, Gwagwalada, near Abuja in addition to our previous efforts on promoting TWB Certificate of Teaching Mastery course among educators and teachers in training as well as programs for the disabled and prisoners, and women's empowerment.

Presently, I am working with my colleagues on on establishing a Center for Peace Education in two Nigerian Universities as well as invitation from three colleges of education and approval for establishment of evening college to help in adult literacy program. The Peace Education program involves training teachers that can teach students at the K-12 level how to mediate conflicts and connect their studies to human welfare. We are also developing a Niger Delta Peace Initiative to help mobilize teachers intervene in the conflict situation and youth restiveness in the oil rich region in Nigeria.

Also being concerned about the chances of our nation achieving the United Nations MDGs, we recently collaborated with the FCT College of Education, Zuba to organize a National Conference on the MDGs, with over 200 teachers and scholars in attendance. During the conference, we also introduced the Millennium Development Ambassadors award intiative that commissions local leaders and educators to work more to localize the UN MDGs.

We are making progress with the determination to continue to do our best despite the challenges of funding and other problems in our nation. These are some of the efforts that we are making and I hope it makes some meaning to you too.

On another note, we received your donation through Dr Fred Mednick and I want to use this opportunity to say THANK YOU again. Together, we shall make our world a better place for all.

Best wishes,

Raphael Ogar Oko
Country Coordinator,
Teachers Without Borders - Nigeria