Letter of Intention

Dear Vision and Editorial Mentor:

In five to ten years from now, I envision myself as a strong, woman leader who is working to build an effective correspondence between the Japanese society where I am from and Nigerian communities with whom I work. Since Nigeria is a growing African economy, there will be frequent exchange between Japan and Nigeria in sending technical assistance and advisories, and receiving trainees from Nigeria. I will be managing, choosing, training people to deal with the differences of culture, language, and safety isues. My role will involve creating the road map for Japanese to provide skill acquisition training to Nigerians, particularly for the benefit of women and children.

I will primarily work to help disadvantaged Nigerians gain access to employment in their country. Although huge funds are available with the government to carry out development activities, due to corruption and non-transparency they are misused and do not benefit the poor. By introducing employment opportunities through the internet, I hope to implement a corruption free, transparent and easy way to gain access to employment and skill based training for Nigerians. But by doing this, I and my NGO are not opposing the government. But we are hoping to strengthen the partnership ties between local bodies and our NGO through more effective means; technology being the prime one. Through the use of Web 2.0, we hope to provide underprivileged communities with necessary tools to build a sustainable livelihood for themselves without complete reliance on the government.

In my effort to do so, Voices of Our Future is very resourceful because it is helping me to use Web 2.0 effectively, introducing me to mentors who can supply skills and knowledge which may be lacking in me and providing me a platform for global networking. As in my workplace, when the government is the source of problem, support must come from outside the government; the network built by Voice of Our Future is not only ensuring the support from advocates, activists, researchers and specialists, but more importantly, inspiration, encouragement and care from like-minded ones.
The Japanese government continues to give funds to the Nigerian government without monitoring its financial management; In this case, NGOs can do better to reach out to the poor in Nigeria.

Lastly, I hope that my effort can help to build a fair, just and humanly society where the rights of all individuals are protected from threats, violence, poverty, and ignorance. My dream will come true if my work can set an example for other women activists who want to make a difference in their communities.

My thoughts are always there even if I am in Japan. I am finding it very difficult NOT to criticize the government in my journal and trying to raise fund at the same time. Many Japanese people think Nigeria is given enough money through the government. Unless we talk about the corruption, they wont know the problem and wont give us fund.

I have my daughter waiting for me there (photo attached), and she is alone in barrister's house. I must go! May God keep her safe and be our sole provider. None of us can do as much as He does.

Again, let me thank you and Voice Of Our Future program for pushing me ahead!

Hideko N.