Leni-Keller Skill Acquisition Center - Uyo/
Nigeria

We have moved our "Leni Keller Workshop" from Mbiatok, a village near Uyo, to the city of Uyo and continue the work started in Mbiatok in the new "Leni Keller Skill Acquisition Center". At the old location in Mbiatok, our former partner organization there is now running its own project. A large part of the people in our target group (refugees from Cameroon) live in Uyo. The move has enabled us to save travel costs in the future and to use the infrastructure of a larger city. Refugees and some participants from the local community can acquire knowledge and skills with us that will enable them to earn money. Currently we offer courses in sewing, making accessories as well as wigs.

As a location for the center, a suitable building with its own walled courtyard plot was rented and renovated. The property offers enough space for further activities. Further handicraft courses, e.g. carpentry, are in preparation here.

In order to be able to carry out the project in Nigeria, it was necessary to establish an organization according to Nigerian law, which will take over the implementation of our projects in Nigeria as our project executing agency. This partner organization in Nigeria is the “Max Kuma Community Development Foundation”. The center is officially recognized by the Nigerian authorities and by the UNHCR.

Future offers in Uyo will partly be carried out in cooperation with the UNHCR and with CUSO, a partner organization of the UNHCR. Our partner organization "Psychology Beyond Barriers" will offer psychological counseling for the refugees in Uyo. The need for such counseling is high due to the often traumatic experiences of the refugees.