About the Team

Hello! We are the team of UK and Nigerian volunteers working for VSO-ICS in Lafia, Nigeria. Here you will be able to read all about our community work with the local farmers here in Nasarawa State, as well as find out what it's like to be a volunteer for VSO-ICS.

What is VSO-ICS?

ICS (International Citizen Service) is a programme which enables young people from the UK to spend 12 weeks overseas working on selected development projects alongside in-country national volunteers. The scheme is supported by the UK government's Department for International Development and is provided by VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas), an international development charity, whose goal is a world without poverty.

Our project is in partnership with YMCA Mada Hills. We will be working in four rural communities reigniting young peoples interest in agriculture and assisting farmers in learning better agricultural practices.

Our Lafia team consists of 10 UK volunteers and 11 Nigerian volunteers... whose beautiful faces you can see below next to a little introduction about themselves.

We hope you enjoy keeping up-to-date via our blog! Like what you're reading? Want to apply to take part in VSO-ICS yourself? Look no further than HERE.

Team Lafia

Gilbert

Hi, my name is Inimfom Moses Gilbert. I’m 19 year of age, from Akwa Ibom State , Nigeria. A love of sports (football) I applied for the ICS programme because I’m so passionate about volunteering and to increase my public speaking and leadership skills, visit people, learn from them and be learned from too.

Kayleigh

Hi my name is Kayleigh Bernard and I am 25 years old. I live in Dudley and have recently graduated from Demontfort University where I studied International Business and Globalisation.

I applied for VSO because I wanted to offer my skills and knowledge to hopefully make a change. I also wanted to experience a new culture and work with young people. So far the programme has lived up to my expectations and I am looking forward to the rest of my time in Nigeria.

Chris

Oi oi, my name is Chris Sutherland, I’m 23 years old and a Marketing graduate from Newcastle.

What you need to know about me? I’m a life-long Newcastle United fan, I love going to the gym and I love porridge even more.

In order to participate in VSO ICS I’m currently on a sabbatical from work, having initially applied for the programme after it was strongly recommended by friends.

Three weeks in and I love Nigeria – the place is such a contradiction of chaos and order!

  

Philimon

My name is Philimon Bitrus. I come from Borno State. I’m Bura by tribe and my age is 25. I graduated from College of Education, Science and Technology Bama, Borno State.

Dorcas

My name is Gboyinde Dorcas. I am from Kwara State. I am a female and the third-born of my family. I am 19 years old (born on December 6^th, 1994). I am going to university by September. I joined VSO because I was doing nothing at home and I thought it would be a good programme, which would improve my skills and I would be able to learn new things and bring about positive impact in the lives of others.

Susan

My name is Susan Abua. I am from Cross River State. I am 23 years old and studied Business Administration and Management. I joined ICS to improve my public speaking skills and to affect the lives of young farmers positively.

Pelumi

My name is Oladayo Oluwasheyi but I am ‘Pelumi’ by name and I am from Oyo State, Nigeria and I am 20 years of age. I applied for ICS because I want to make a good impact.

Demzee (Emmanuel Edemeka)

I’m an indigen of Akwa Ibom State, a rap addict and a prospective medical doctor.

I joined the ICS programme because I am passionate about helping people. I also wish to volunteer many more times in the future.

Sania

Hello guys! My name is Sania Qaisar. I live in London and I am currently embarking on a gap year of a lifetime. I decided to volunteer with VSO as I have3 always wanted to volunteer abroad. I hope to make a difference and enhance my knowledge of African culture.

Patrick

My name is Patrick Udoh from Akwa Ibom. I am a change advocate who is passionate about development and youth participation. I was schooled at the University of Calabar and born on 29^th November 1989. I joined VSO because I saw it as a platform to impact in my community while developing skills.

Alice

Hi, my name’s Alice, I’m 22 and I’ve just graduated from university, although VSO is something I’ve wanted to do since I left school. I’ve always been fascinated by Africa, so I’m thrilled to be here in Nigeria, working with the local farmers and learning new things every day.

Alimat

My name is Akande Alimat Bolatito, I am a graduate of Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta. I am from Oyostate in Ibadan. I joined Voluntary Service Overseas because I want to make an impact on the lives of people. I also wanted to share my ideas with people and also to gain from others experience. 

Nabila

My name is Eleshin Nabila Ifeoluwa and I’m 21. I had my national diploma in Kwara State Polytechnic, I studied Mass Communication. I joined VSO to fight poverty by sharing new skills so that they can make a living. 

Ada

My name is Adaora Nwagagu. I am 23 and I am a graduate of Public and International Law. I joined VSO ICS because I wanted to learn more about community development and poverty, especially within rural communities and be able to contribute meaningfully in the development of those living in rural areas.  

Sam

Hello! My name is Samuel Carty. I am 19 years old and I come from Shropshire in England. I am currently on my gap year and I will study music at Leeds later this year. I chose to apply for VSO as I thought it would a fantastic opportunity to experience a new culture and make a worthwhile difference to somebody’s life. 

Claire

Hi I’m Claire McGrath, I’m 24 and I come from Northern Ireland. I have always wanted to travel to Africa and do some volunteering and I decided to apply for VSO as the programme looked really interesting and fun. I am really glad to be part of this team and I’m enjoying working together with everyone to hopefully make a difference in the communities.

Suzie

My name is Suzie Hadall, I am 18 years old and I come from Northern England. I am currently on a gap year before going to University. I applied for VSO ICS to share my skills, learn about a different culture and to help fight poverty across the world.

Sakhile

Hello my name is Sakhile Shann, I am 23 years old and a Psychology graduate of the University of Leeds. I have always wanted to visit Africa and applied for VSO ICS so that i could directly to tackle poverty in an effective and productive way! The programme so far has been both challenging and rewarding and I hope to really make a difference here!

Isabel

Hello! My name is Isabel Bennett and I come from Devon in the Uk. I am 18 years old and am currently on my gap year. I will begin at University in London in September. I applied for ICS because I admire the nature of the programmes it conducts – reaching people who will really benefit from the work of the volunteers. I also wanted to have the experience of living in Africa.  

Andy

My name is Andy Crisp and I come London in the UK. I am 24 year old graduate of King’s College London, where I studied International Relations. I decided to apply for the ICS programme because I saw it as an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people who really need my help, while experiencing a country that I have never been to before.

Tolu

  

Hello!!! My name is Tolu Awotoye and I am from Kwara in Nigeria. I am a lawyer (dont mind the stereotype because I just have a thing against being put in a box)I am also a mishmash of personalities (shush! its our little secret) and I have always wanted to learn a lot more about development issues. So basically being on the ICS programme for me is an opportunity to actually help and play my own little role in the ongoing development of Nigeria and I sincerely hope I do it well.