October 2007 Success Stories

• Study reveals higher performance in English and Math in COMPASS-supported schools
• Health advocates reduce childhood illnesses in Ibeju-Lekki
• Partnering with FOMWAN to eliminate polio virus in Nigeria
• Couples in Gbata accept contraceptives to manage their family sizes
• From a mendicant to a merchant: memoir of a polio survivor

Modern child spacing methods rekindle flames of love
Though everyone her age has some story to tell about life, Hadiza's is especially touching.  Despite fifteen pregnancies, Hadiza and her husband enjoy only two surviving children.    More

Polio survivors adopt enterprising ways to sustain change initiatives
Today, the 840 members of the Kano Polio Victims Trust Association are rapidly creating new ways to improve their livelihoods through a partnership with the COMPASS Project. More

Energetic youths improve immunization coverage in Jamda
In Jamda, as well as other parts of the country, frequent travel from village to village and state to state makes it difficult to ensure that all children under five years of age are immunized during campaigns and National Immunization Days (NIDs).  More

Government authorities and Parent-Teacher Associations advance education
Excited young voices from Primary 1 pupils of Race Course Model Primary School in Kano chorused the “Ina Yara” opening song, as their teacher, started with an introduction of the day's lessons. More

Primary school pupils create new horizons for routine immunization
Twelve-year-old Aisha Sani knew nothing about the importance of routine immunizations.  But, as a primary 4 student at the Dala Girls Model Primary School in metropolitan Dala Local Government Area in Kano State, she learned from the Headmistress that she could play an important role in promoting it.  More

Grassroots initiative broadens access to antenatal care, promotes ownership
Members of the community can meet with healthcare personnel, who conduct routine checks, dispense drugs, and make referrals as necessary.  More

Parents reverse decades of unhealthy infant feeding habits
The children of Marina, a rural community on the banks of a river in Badagry Local Government Area, have suffered from malnourishment for several decades.  More

New approach minimizes missed polio vaccine opportunities for children
Today, many leaders in rural Nigerian communities continue to strongly distrust and resist polio immunization, placing local children and their neighbors in great danger of exposure to the virus.    More

Polio survivor gets a new lease on life, one she won’t give up
Too often polio-handicapped are robbed of their dignity and the opportunity to lead a productive and fulfilling life.  Frequently marginalized, most are forced to beg to earn their living.  More

Classrooms from the community
With COMPASS technical guidance, the community created an “Education Repair” fund. Drawing from community contributions, they realized N400,000 ($3,125) to construct two new classrooms.  More

COMPASS-supported initiatives spread to adjacent schools
Gajere Ajiya, a primary school teacher in Nasarawa State, heard neighboring teachers discussing COMPASS' Teacher Training initiative.  Despite the fact that Joshua Aruwa taught at a non-COMPASS supported school, he was eager to acquire these new skills himself.  More