A Ray of Hope in Agagbe Community: The LALI Initiative by the Red Cross

Life's winds of change can be harsh, etching painful memories, but even in the bleakest moments, hope has the power to uplift. Hope, sometimes is self-bestowed and, at other times gifted by the care and support of others, whether from family or even strangers.

In the Agagbe Community, nestled in the heart of Benue State, hope took the form of the Red Cross, offering solace to people displaced by both long-standing conflict and annual flooding huddled in the premises of a school.

Living in makeshift shelters, uncertain of their next meal, the sight of the LALI Red Cross team was a beacon of hope. Their smiles were infectious, echoing the promise of hope that the Red Cross emblem symbolizes. It's no wonder that our motto is ‘a sure sign of hope.’

Makeshift shelters in Agagbe Community.

The Red Cross team, composed of Nigerian Red Cross staff and volunteers, along with their British Red Cross counterparts, engaged in Focus Group Discussions with the various segments of the community - women, men, youth, and community leaders. These conversations revealed not just the tangible aid provided in the past but also the profound impact on their way of life, particularly on personal hygiene.

‘Before now, many of our women didn't realize the importance of changing sanitary pads regularly or washing their hands with soap under running water after using the toilet, changing diapers, or before eating. Starting with COVID-19 interventions, we've been actively promoting and educating our community members about the significance of practising and maintaining proper hygiene.’- Mercy, NRCS Community volunteer.

Engagement with Community members in Agagbe

Community engagement enabled them to participate actively in decision-making, ensuring that projects directly benefited and empowered them with an instance of the 2020 Flood project, which they said gave them the power of collective identity, i.e. taking ownership and leaving lasting smiles in their hearts.

‘We’re always in a joyful mood anytime we see the Red Cross because they've done so much for us. They not only provided assistance but also valued our opinions. Even when the aid they provided only got to few people, they involved us to ensure that the aid got to the most vulnerable. They gathered us, explained the project phases, and this led me to become a Red Cross volunteer.’ - Joseph, Camp Leader.

Another interesting part of the LALI visit was meetings with various Mother's Clubs in North Bank, Makurdi. Their tales of improved child health and personal hygiene, leading to fewer hospital visits, were heart-warming. They not only learned about basic hygiene but they testified of also gaining skills in soap making, making of snacks, and local drinks. Little wonder one of the mothers said:

‘It's easier to discuss female health topics among ourselves without feeling timid, unlike at the healthcare facility, because we're all from the same community and social status.’

Engagement with mothers club members in North Bank, Makurdi.

LALI, Local Action Local Impact, is a new initiative by the Red Cross, learning from community-based approaches and measuring the impact of national society interventions. In Benue, we learnt about how the Red Cross made them smile amid diversity and gave them the power of hope!

A member of mother's club making liquid soap in North Bank, Makurdi.

A member of mother's club making liquid soap in North Bank, Makurdi.

A Ray of Hope in Agagbe Community: The LALI Initiative by the Red Cross

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