Foundation pledges partnership with government against open defecation

Urges Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of volunteerism

A non-governmental organization, U-Save Foundation, has expressed commitment to work with the federal government to achieve the target of ending open defecation by 2030.

This, the foundation hoped to achieve by providing access to clean and portable water for communities as well as improving hygiene in such communities.

The Country Director of the foundation, Uju Rochas Anwuka, who spoke yesterday in Abuja, noted that the initiative will help in reducing the challenges of improper hygiene and sanitation.

According to him, it also helps in the provision of basic amenities for community members by using the youth who volunteer to work selflessly without expecting anything in return.

She said: “We work with volunteers that go into these communities and carry out interventions without expecting anything back in return. Selfless service as this has been our driving force; they are the movers and shakers of the U-Save foundation. “

“True volunteerism is what we are building in Nigeria. So far, we have operated in about 11 communities in n FCT; in Niger State, we have operated in two communities. We have built six toilets and renovated 34 toilets in the College of Education, Minna.”

She stated that a lot of volunteers complained about going the difficulties in going into thither and due to insecurity issues. She however hoped that the narrative will change so that more youth can rise up and give back to their communities

“Right now, we have some donors’ funding while the larger part of our work is out of our pockets. We are also going into some partnership with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Environment to be able to provide these facilities for communities.”

She however noted that the younger generations’ search for quick money was not the way out, stressing that it was something one gets and losses very quickly.

“But when you give to others, you feel more blessed and fulfilled.”

In his remarks, an independent consultant, Moses Okpara, stated that mentoring and volunteering young people on the right concept and approach was essential.

He further reiterated that the foundation is moving in the right direction by building an army of young people that would take volunteering to the next level.