We Are Project HOPE: Jimin Sontyo, Nigeria

Nigeria has made steady progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS over the last 20 years, lowering transmission rates and increasing the number of people who receive antiretroviral therapy. Yet the country still has one of the largest HIV epidemics in the world, with nearly 2 million people living with HIV.

Enough progress has been made that Nigeria’s president has said that the goal of eliminating AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 is in sight. But much work is still yet to be done, particularly for the 1.8 million children in Nigeria orphaned by the disease.

Project HOPE is working to improve the quality of life for households with vulnerable children infected or affected by HIV/AIDS by supporting improvements in systems that ensure access to better care and protection.

Read on to meet a team member at the heart of that response, and learn more about how we’re building a better future for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Tell us a little about yourself. How did you come to Project HOPE?

My name is Jimin Sontyo and I am from Benue State, Nigeria. I am currently Project HOPE’s Nigeria Strategic Information Manager, on a five-year USAID/PEPFAR-funded project in Lagos, Nigeria. I joined the organization in June 2020.

My journey started in 2007, when I was trained by UNICEF as a peer educator on an HIV/AIDS prevention and reproductive health program. After working with 40 adolescents in the secondary school where I served, my interest in development was piqued. After that, I joined Community Life Advancement Project, where I learned the basics as a monitoring and evaluation officer and was later senior program officer overseeing HIV interventions across six states.

I left there after two-and-a-half years to join the Gembu Centre for HIV/AIDS, then later briefly joined Pact, followed by Catholic Relief Services. I also worked with APIN Public Health Initiatives for one year and then CRS again until June 2020, when I joined Project HOPE as Strategic Information Manager in Lagos State.

Tell us about Project HOPE’s work in Nigeria. How is it making a difference in people’s lives?

Project HOPE’s major involvement in Nigeria dates back to its partnership on the LOPIN-3 project in Cross River and Ebonyi States. By the time the project rounded off in September 2020, Project HOPE had expanded it to additional three states and reached over 180,000 vulnerable children and their caregivers with targeted services that positively impacted their lives. Over 100,000 children were provided with birth certificates, and Project HOPE partnered with 20 local civil society organizations and community-based organizations to provide direct services to vulnerable children and caregivers.

The success of that project laid the foundation for Project HOPE’s ongoing involvement in the Integrated Child Health and Social Service Award project in Lagos. The project is a three-organization consortium led by a Nigerian NGO, the Association for Reproductive and Family Health, with Project HOPE and FHI 360 as partners. The project, which is in its first year, strengthens state and local government systems to respond to the needs of vulnerable children and their families.

Though too early to call and largely hampered by COVID-19, the likely impact of Project HOPE’s involvement is already becoming evident, especially in the foundational tools that will enhance service delivery to orphans, vulnerable children, and their families. The relationship already established with the Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS will strengthen public-private partnerships in the state and provide a conduit to sustainable service delivery to vulnerable children and their families.

What’s something people may not realize about Nigeria?

Nigeria is very diverse, and so are her enormous challenges. Given this diversity, the challenges are context-specific, be it public health or otherwise. Each locality is also rich in a number of resources. However, not all of these have been harnessed fully for the well-being of Nigerians.

When people think of Nigeria, they don’t always picture its rich diversity and hard-working people. This is what we need to see, and it is why Nigeria needs international development partners to work with Nigerians and improve people’s well-being.

What motivates you in your job and keeps you going?

I desire the best for vulnerable groups. Given my background, I got a lot of support to get to where I am today, especially the basic education I received. My hope is that every child receives a basic education and can access the right support to acquire that certificate, which can become their meal ticket.

I believe that Nigeria and the world will be a better place if compassionate people are working for the good of the vulnerable, and if the gaps in the system that affect underdevelopment are addressed. When that happens, we will have a better nation that is safe and secure for all.

What stories have you heard about the difference Project HOPE is making in people’s lives?

Project HOPE works mostly with the Nigerian government to strengthen the systems that address the needs of orphans and vulnerable children in 10 local government areas of Lagos State. Most recently, while we were working with government staff to develop their annual operational plan, the desk officer for orphans and vulnerable children mentioned that now that they are learning the right information and methods, they will do what is right to enhance support for vulnerable children.

We hope that this will spur sustained service delivery for children and that we will see a situation where in the next two or three years, the government will be seated comfortably in the driver’s seat to ensure children are cared for and protected.

What would you want people to know about Nigeria?

Nigeria is a beautiful country and there are multi-dimensional challenges. Nigerians are also hard-working and work every day toward addressing these challenges. Whatever support is available, Nigerians welcome it and hope it supports their country’s development to ensure that every man, woman, and child has food on their table and can sleep peacefully at night.

How you can help

Make a lifesaving gift to support our work now and for the future at projecthope.org/donate.

Are you a healthcare or other professional who would like to learn more about volunteering abroad with Project HOPE? Learn more about our volunteer program and join our volunteer roster.

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