Water project: Foundation gets EU grant for seven communities

A humanitarian initiative, April Smiles Foundation, has secured a grant from the European Union Youth Empowerment Fund through the Global Youth Mobilisation to deliver a water project in seven communities within Oyo State.

In a statement made available to Diaspora Tales by the Executive Chairman of the foundation, Jamiu Owolabi, on Thursday, the project is tagged ‘Koso Unity Water Project’ and serves seven villages, Elegbo, Oya Tutu, Efunlete, Koso, Baale Agbo, Odogun, and Igbo in Oyo town.

A United Kingdom-based historian said the grant was awarded through a partnership between the European Union and a coalition of leading youth organisations known as the “Big Six.”

It is a partnership of the European Union and the world’s largest youth organisations. The “Big Six” comprises the World Organisation of the Scout Movement, the World Alliance of Young Men’s Christian Associations, the World Alliance of Young Women’s Christian Associations, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.

“The application for this grant followed direct engagement with residents of Koso and neighbouring villages in the community, which occurred during a Children’s Day celebration organised by the foundation and Mr LilGaga (Namaste) last year,” the statement read.

Owolabi stated that community leaders raised a shared concern about the lack of access to electricity and safe drinking water.

They depended on a single well, which could not meet basic daily needs, thus making them appeal for assistance in securing a more reliable water source.

In response, April Smiles Foundation submitted a proposal aimed at addressing the challenge and secured funding to install a generator-powered borehole system that would provide a steady and safe water supply for the affected villages.

The chairman also quoted the foundation’s director, Adedoja Adeyemi, as saying, “The project is designed to ease pressure on existing sources and improve living conditions across the seven locations, as it will positively impact the lives of thousands of people.”