id[ – Doctors health initiative

Little Love Notes

In March of 2017 till now, people from around the world took place in an initiative of DHI called The Little Love Notes Project. People were asked to submit their entries expressing that DHI’s love for the IDPs has reached their location in the world. This project was aimed at creating awareness of Internal Displacement not only in Nigeria but across the world.

We believe that the solution to most if not all our problems in the world today can be fixed if we all made sure to love one another and ourselves.

We will still accept entries to this project if you are really interested. Simply use the examples below to create your own Little Love Note and send it to any of our social media platforms,

Twitter: @dhi_nigeria

Instagram: DHI_Nigeria

E-mail: ttolasewere@yahoo.com

We urge you today to carry out an act of love ad kindness every day and to inspire people to do the same.

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-DHI Approved

Credits to the makers of these little love notes. Thank you for your support.

May 26, 2018May 26, 2018 by dhi

Benin Health Outreach

On the 22nd of February, 2017, Doctors Health Initiative organized a health outreach for the Internally Displaced Persons in the Benin Internally Displaced Persons camp. We provided free health services and skill acquisition opportunities to the Internally Displaced Persons, as well as donated clothes and other valuable items.

You can contact us via:
Twitter: @dhi_nigeria
Instagram: dhi_nigeria
Facebook: Doctors Health Initiative
http://www.dhinigeria.org

Please enjoy the video and don’t forget to let us know what you think 🙂

July 20, 2017July 20, 2017 by dhi

From Tolu

Awoken by a gush of wind
sleep shattered into countless pieces
time frozen
as if a spell has been cast and
all that exists is
me and
the idea of you,
sister.

The white and red bus propelled forward,
for hours on end
by a sort of magical force
perhaps by
the idea of you,
brother.

To our humble abode,
we arrived
making opinions as we go
settling in,
eyes wide
with hope
maybe of
the idea of you,
daughter.

In the darkness, we lay
drenched in sweat
*Limax lights let out
eyes staring at the freckled ceiling
bathed in darkness, suddenly submerged in sleep,
the darkness displaced by a beaming ray of light
perhaps by
the idea of you,
son.

Asleep,
the volunteer dreams of
leaf green t-shirts
DHI
roadtrips
laughter

A perfect fairytale,
featuring
most definitely,
the idea of you,
our family from the North.

-t.o

*Limax – the guest house we stayed in during the outreach

April 12, 2017April 12, 2017 by dhi

From Ella

It was a wonderful experience going to the Internally Displaced Persons camp with the volunteers of Doctors Health Initiative. It was a two day visit, so we left in the morning on Thursday at about 9:00am to the camp. When we got there we met the person in charge (Pastor Evelyn) and then dispersed with our different teams to begin work.

While I was put in the hospitality team they had other teams such as the educational team, medical team and the editorial team. They worked as their names implies. I left with my team mates to meet the women who we were to teach.

Firstly, we interviewed them for a questionnaire which was meant to help us find out if any vocational training they’ve already received has been effective. When we were done with the questionnaire we started getting set to teach them. Firstly how to mix and fry *puff puff and **chin chin, which we did.While my team mates talked I was taking down the recipes for them so they have a guide to follow when they decide to do it on their own.

The next day which was Friday we had an excursion to the ***Oba of Benin’s palace. Though we didn’t get to meet him it was still a worthwhile trip. We were shown some paintings and historic write ups. after which we headed for the Internally Displaced Persons Camp. When we got there on the second day Pastor Evelyn took us around and showed us were the women and children stay and also the classrooms built by the ex-governor of Edo State Adams Oshiomole….though it hasn’t been commissioned yet.

After that we got to work with our respective teams. My teammates and I taught the women to bake cakes and also gave them a chance to practice it right there – what we had taught them the previous day, that is. So, after we mixed the cake batter and started baking it we selected some women to mix the puff puff and the chin chin which they did really well showing that they actually paid attention to what we had taught. We had to leave early on this particular day so after the cake had baked, they took the puff puff and chin chin mixture home to fry by themselves.We trusted they’ll be able to do it because they were doing so well already and from the look on the faces of the women we could tell they were sincerely happy to have someone teach them things they can do with their hands.

Like I said at the beginning; it was a wonderful experience…from the other volunteers I worked with to the excursion to the women and to the work itself! Everything was a huge success and I’d love to do it again some other time.

Written by Abung Emmanuella

Volunteer, DHI

*A Nigerian snack which some may refer to doughnut holes

**A fried Nigerian snack

April 12, 2017 by dhi

From Dr. Chizaram

My Benin *IDP Camp Health Outreach experience was the most intense, humbling, satisfactory and eye-opening experience I have ever been through. Being a pharmacist and public health practitioner, you read these things in articles, papers, blogs and even get some clips on TV some times, but nothing prepares you for the front stage and on site feeling.

You go through a range of emotions all at the same time. I am very glad I was a part of this trip and worked with some of the most inspiring people I have met. We come from different cultures and backgrounds but with a common goal of bringing love, hope, help and encouragement to this population of people in desperate need of it.

I learnt early in life that the world is in serious need of doses of love and kindness, and i am glad I got to share my fair bit.
Amidst all experiences, comes the pleasant and not so pleasant but I wouldn’t trade any of it for anything. My most inspiring part of the trip will be having among us young ones, who traded in their possible fun time out with friends and possibly more to come make a difference and lend a helping hand. It gives you faith that maybe their is still hope for genuine love and sacrifice in the midst of our warring world.
While on the field, I only just wished we had enough resources and medications to administer to every single case presented by a patient.

Truly, I might never find the best words to capture the experience but I am very grateful I had such opportunity and I look forward to doing more of such works.

Thank you.

*Internally Displaced Persons

Written by Dr. Chizaram

Volunteer, DHI

March 12, 2017 by dhi

From Grace

About the Outreach

Being at this community service and serving at the *IDP camp is one of the best things I’ve experienced in life. I can barely describe the feeling. It was inspiring, fulfilling and satisfying. I have never really experienced the joy that comes from giving your self to the service of others until I came here. The most beautiful thing was seeing the radiating smiles on the faces of the IDPs…no feeling beats that!!!

Knowing that the chances that these people have to repay you is almost nonexistent makes it more awesome.

I was humbled when I saw these people. Even with all they’ve been through still radiating with a lot of faith and hope in their eyes. It gave me a new sense of gratitude. I saw that I had more than enough reasons to be thankful and joyful.

I am grateful to God for the opportunity to give myself and my time to the service of those most in need. You don’t need to have all the wealth in the world to make a difference! Because the most appreciated thing in life are not even things that money can buy. It could just be a smile, your time or a word of encouragement.

‘Never say there’s nothing that you can do to make a difference because there’s a lot out there that needs to be done.’

GET UP, PICK UP YOUR SHOES AND GO MAKE A DIFFERENCE because Change BEGINS WITH YOU!!!

About the Team

The **DHI 2017 team is an amazing team which consist of individuals with beautiful souls. When I met with the team members from ***Lagos, I felt a little bit odd because I thought all the team members knew themselves before coming because the bond, freedom and unity was deep. Little did I know that most of the team members were just meeting each other for the very first time. It was beautiful to see such communion, love and dedication among people that barely knew each other. I was amazed and humbled when I realized that most of the team members were meeting for the very first time. I became more open and began to also bond with my team members.

Working together with joy and happiness added more beauty ad joy to the various task being carried out.

I can say that it was indeed an awesome and jaw-dropping experience. Looking forward to working with the DHI team in service projects to come. You guys are the real deal!!!