In the sprawling green campus of the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology (FCFMT) in Nigeria, a unique educational alliance blossomed, marking a pivotal moment in the academic journey of many. At the heart of this collaboration were two distinguished figures: Dr. Jessica Briskin and Dr. Tutaleni I. Asino. Their quest? To boost the proficiency and range of blended learning among Nigerian educators.

The endeavor was an evolution of a Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) assignment titled “Building Faculty Pedagogical Skills to Effectively Deliver AET Curricula.” An earlier volunteer recommendation noted the importance of regular teacher training workshops and a dedicated platform for online pedagogical education.

For three days, the duo held workshops focusing on the essence of online education and blended learning. They stressed the cardinal role of clear learning objectives. However, a realization struck: many needed to grasp teaching philosophies or the know-how to draft these objectives. Consequently, day two pivoted, introducing educators to the art of crafting these goals and, later, to tools instrumental for data collection, analysis, presentation, and integrating interactivity. F2F volunteers Dr. Briskin, and Dr. Asino did more than lean on high-tech or expensive solutions. They championed tools that were user-friendly, freely accessible, and within the college’s reach, encapsulating the essence of true education: accessibility and adaptability. On the fourth day, the scholars shifted their focus to the students. This shorter session concentrated on popular platforms like Google Forms, Google Sheets, and Google Slides, aimed to fortify students’ data collection, analysis, and presentation skills. Interwoven were discussions on the challenges and promises of blended learning, an invaluable perspective for these future thought leaders.

The assignment’s resonances were multifaceted. For Dr. Asino, it spotlighted the universality of educational challenges, breaking the myth that specific geographies inherently possess a higher pedagogical acumen. The Nigerian experience, for him, was a testament to educators’ shared struggles and aspirations worldwide. He cherished the camaraderie forged with collaborations already in the pipeline. For Dr. Briskin, her debut volunteering gig with Winrock was transformative. She marveled at the drive and zest of the FCFMT’s faculty and students, echoing the sentiments of one student: “We cannot be stuck doing what we did yesterday because we will miss tomorrow’s treasures.” The endeavor was not just about imparting knowledge; it was a two-way street. Briskin herself departed with invaluable insights on the digital age’s nuances and the diffusion of innovation.

This collaboration, while time-bound, has sown seeds for future partnerships and a shared commitment to excellence in education. For the faculty and students at FCFMT, the ripples of this endeavor will be felt for years to come as they navigate the evolving landscape of blended learning with newfound expertise and enthusiasm.

Winrock International has completed yet another robust and empowering project in conjunction with the women’s collective of Haldi Potti! This initiative was actualized through the synergistic collaboration of Winrock International’s Farmer-to-Farmer Program and the assiduous volunteer efforts of Mr. Stephen Wood. Haldi Potti represents an industrious women’s assembly encompassing 155 members who constitute the nucleus of the Economic Interest Group (GIE). This formation was facilitated under the auspices of a Peace Corps volunteer. Engaged in the rigorous pursuit of agricultural activities, these women are instrumental in cultivating and processing various crops, including fonio, corn, and peanuts. With the establishment of the GIE, they have earned the eminent status of on-site buyers—a transformational development enabling each woman, along with other contributors engage in activities such as fonio cultivation, mango orchard tending, and harvesting of wild fruits like shea nuts and baobab in Ségou, to directly negotiate and transact their produce with the collective.

Under the scholarly guidance of the volunteer, Mr. Stephen Wood, the host community embarked on an intellectual expedition into international standards, conducting meticulous analyses of diverse fonio products. Embracing a cosmopolitan outlook, the community initiated dialogues with industry visionaries, such as Pierre Thiam of Yolélé, to dissect advanced processing techniques and to pinpoint nascent market vistas. Utilizing their existing well-endowed infrastructure, the host community exhibited an ardent zeal in probing further mechanization possibilities. Motivated by the aspiration to augment product quality while concurrently aligning with the avant-garde advancements in the agricultural arena, they conceptualized a gamut of innovative fonio-based commodities, from scrumptious pilafs to savory chips. This inventive expansion enriched their product assortment and ignited novel concepts to amplify their market presence through actively cultivating relationships with prospective buyers. These alliances stand on the brink of considerably augmenting their revenue flows.

As articulated by Salimatou Diallo, “This training has shed light on the potential of fashioning various sub-products from fonio. Of particular distinction are fonio-based chips, a nutritive alternative for our progeny, and an exhilarating prospective market.” From May 10, 2023, to May 21, 2023, the intellectual and practical odyssey undertaken with Haldi Potti has been delineated by profound revelations, avant-garde ideation, and exceptional growth. The latent potential unleashed through this instructional engagement is situated to burgeon into something of extraordinary significance.

The world of agriculture is vast and diverse, embracing not just the cultivation of crops but also the numerous creative ways in which these resources can be utilized. Recently, a unique Farmer-to-Farmer project carried out under the aegis of Winrock International has illustrated this eloquently.

In this remarkable initiative, our committed volunteers, Mrs. Ndeye Fatou Ba, and Mr. Robert Spencer, collaborated to impart artisanal soap-making skills to the community of GPM Mankou in Senegal. The primary objective was to enable the beneficiaries to diversify their income sources and elevate the quality of their existing products.

Mrs. Ba, our national volunteer, led the hands-on training activities, sharing soap-making recipes provided by the remote volunteer, Mr. Spencer. This potent mix of local and international knowledge provided a rich learning environment for the participants.

Their combined approach was centered around using local agricultural products, focusing on hygiene and quality standards. The duo demonstrated resourcefulness in their teaching methods, ensuring understanding and effectively overcoming language barriers with professional translations.

The response from the community was overwhelmingly positive. Participants demonstrated an infectious enthusiasm, actively engaged in the training sessions, and raised pertinent questions to deepen their understanding. They grasped the transformational potential of their agricultural resources, appreciating the capacity to turn ordinary plants and herbs into valuable artisanal soaps.

Some participants have already expressed interest in forming a “soapwort team” or working group to apply their newly acquired knowledge further. The aim? To take this newfound craft to new heights and add an impressive dimension to their agricultural work.

The impact of this Farmer-to-Farmer project is best captured by the words of Madame Mariama BA, who is responsible for the women’s committee of GPM Mankou. She shares, “We will now be able to add more value to our plants and herbs. We have a lot of different things we can use to make soap, and they are medicinal. This soap-making training really opened our eyes to let us know we are in a rich environment. Thank you to Mrs. Ba and Robert Spencer.”

This transformative project by Winrock International demonstrates the immense possibilities of combining agricultural practices with ingenuity and creativity. Through this initiative, we are proud to contribute to the enrichment of local communities, promoting economic diversity, and enhancing the standard of their goods. Here is to more successes, learnings, and breakthroughs in the journey ahead!

When it comes to progress and development, the role of education must be considered. A shift in mindset is often the first step towards a more equitable society. In a bid to instigate this shift in rural Nigeria, Winrock International’s Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program recently embarked on a groundbreaking initiative in partnership with the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology (FCAHPT), Vom, Plateau State.

The mission? To educate staff at FCAHPT on the critical importance of gender equity in decision-making, fostering a broader and more informed perspective on gender-related policies. The workshop was led by our dedicated volunteer, Sandra Ross, whose expertise was fundamental to the success of this mission. Upon arrival, our F2F team dove straight into work, holding critical discussions with crucial departments, including the Development and Linkage Unit, the Gender Unit, the Provost, and the college’s management team. The staff was divided into two groups for a thorough three-day workshop. Covering diverse topics such as gender concepts, social construction, terminology, violence, analysis framework, and mainstreaming, this workshop aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of gender equity and its significance in modern society. The educational initiative culminated in a seminar for 309 students, promoting gender awareness and the importance of equity in everyday interactions. Following this seminar, a debriefing session was held with the college leadership, highlighting the improvements and impacts of the assignment.

What were the outcomes? Beyond expectation. The staff members began implementing the gender solutions learned during the training, leading to tangible shifts in perception and behavior. The participants reported making changes in their homes and classrooms, distributing tasks equally regardless of gender. One such success story comes from Isiaku Abdullahi, a Development and Linkage Unit faculty member. Isiaku shared his experience of shifting tasks traditionally assigned to his son to his daughter, promoting a culture of equality in his home.

He shared, “There is an assignment I always gave to the boy every morning, but yesterday when we talked about equity and equality, I decided to treat my children differently from how I normally treated them. I now decided to ask the girl to carry out that task as well as supported her to do it. She ended up doing it better than the brother. This morning she asked me if she would be the one performing that task going forward and I said yes. If there is anything I have taken away from this workshop, it is that aspect of equity and equality.“

The F2F program’s initiative shows that change, no matter how incremental, can make a significant difference in our society. Through education and awareness, we can challenge the status quo, paving the way for a more equitable world. While much work is needed, the progress made at FCAHPT is a step in the right direction. The assignment’s conclusion is not the end but the beginning of a more informed and equitable society in Plateau State and beyond.

A successful mission is always anchored in effective communication. Yet, the beauty of human connection lies in its boundless nature. Even when we speak disparate languages, a shared intent can lead to an enriching discourse. A hodgepodge of words, laughter, and good-natured gestures can create a rhythm of its own, constructing bridges of understanding where once language barriers stood.

Imagine stepping into an unfamiliar environment professionally, armed not with a complete linguistic toolbox but a raw determination to communicate. Often, we find ourselves in such settings, unacquainted with the local dialect, reliant on a well-meaning translator who cannot shadow our every interaction. This is where we are challenged to engineer these bridges of human connection using whatever resources we possess. Yet, the essence of communication transcends mere words. Our most potent tools are non-verbal: a sincere smile, an open posture, and expressive hand gestures. These universal tokens can pave the way to understanding even when we engage with strangers who do not share our language. Our shared human curiosity and will to connect can spark a rapport that sets effective communication in motion.

Every new environment is an invitation to heightened awareness. The unfamiliar becomes an orchestra of new sounds, scents, and sights, a sensory adventure urging us to learn more, live deeper, and embrace every experience. The joy of such open-hearted exploration forms the foundation of our assistance to others in myriad forms. At the end of the day, the privilege to serve our fellow humans fuels our endeavors. The degree of success in any venture is intimately tied to the intention behind the effort, reaffirming that circumstances do not dictate outcomes.

Take my experience in the rural district capital of Fatick, Senegal. Upon arrival, I discovered that the only available water source was a scantily mounted outdoor faucet, dispensing merely a pencil-thin stream of water. Undeterred, we used this meager flow to operate a canning kitchen, illustrating that our determination was our most potent resource, leading us to success against the odds. By embracing the universal language of empathy and resilience, we can turn any challenge into a victory, drawing a map of human connection that transcends geographical and linguistic boundaries.