Hi,
My name is MacHenry Motiv8 Churchill
MacHenry Churchill is a Social Innovator, Development Strategist and Youth Motivator. A graduate of Political Science from the University of Calabar, I also hold a professional certificate in Youth Coaching and Mentoring, and trained with VolunteerCorps as a Change Volunteer and Youth Educator.
My passion for youth and
community development work stretches back to 1998 when I volunteered as an
English teacher in an evening tutorial centre. After that I co-founded a
youth-centred students’ outreach company called Radiant Communications. The company worked with schools in Lagos
State, with approval from the Local
Education District (LED), organizing career counseling, drama competitions
and beauty pageants between 1999 and 2004.
In August 2005 I founded GIFTED GENERATION, a youth empowerment organization that focused on helping young people in Ajegunle community to discover, develop and unleash their talents and potentials. By 2009, GIFTED GENERATION could boast of a strong youth membership of 1,500 and through various programmes and projects had reached out to more than 20,000 youths in the community.
By
August of 2011, six years after, it became GIFTED
GENERATION COMMUNITY INITIATIVE, and refocused its work on developing our
communities to see them free from unemployment and poverty, illiteracy,
violence, drug abuse and other high-risk behaviours. In line with this the
organization launched an Anti-Drugs
campaign in secondary schools with the approval of Lagos State Ministry of Education and in partnership with NDLEA and the DRUG FREE CLUB Committee, Lagos State Organization of Nigerian
Chaplains. A yearly symposium is also organized to mark the International
Day Against Drug Abuse And Illicit Trafficking.
GIFTED GENERATION COMMUNITY
INITIATIVE also partnered with Erica
Litch, a United States citizen and Fulbright
Scholar on an exchange program at Lagos
State University, to recruit and train 30 youths in creative skills,
conflict management and understanding of the justice system. This program
lasted for 3 months and was supported by The
US Embassy, Lagos State Security
Trust Fund, Video Arts Network and CLEEN
Foundation.
MacHenry
Churchill has also partnered with various organizations to drive their youth
development work. As Project Manager for VolunteerCorps
Education Program, I managed and oversaw 7 Tutoring Centres with well over
1,500 students from various public secondary schools across Lagos. The Tutoring
Centres has since increased to 10, with 3 new centres in Ogun State.
As
Project Partner with Zplus Community
Movers, I facilitated entrepreneurship seminars and helped train over
2,500 youths in Apapa and Mushin Local Governments in Lagos State on how to
start and manage their own businesses. The project now also runs in Akwa Ibom
State and is proposed for Abia State in 2015.
In
partnership with schools in Lagos State, I am engaging teachers in a FREE Teacher Training Program that
equips them with the skills they require to be more effective in tutoring young
people. This program teaches methods for more engaging class sessions that make
students eager to learn. The program is planned to be duplicated in other
states by 2017.
I have has also facilitated youth entrepreneurship development seminars for
organizations like HIP Generation, Youths For A Better Nigeria, Destined Ones International, Lead Minds International, Gifted Hands Nigeria, plus numerous
churches, schools and groups.
I
have volunteered on projects with organizations like British Council, Fate
Foundation, LEAP Africa, UPS Foundation, Enterprise Creative, Success Attitude Development Centre and Enterprise Development Centre of the Pan Atlantic University. I am a team
member in high profile events like the Global
Entrepreneurship Week and Social
Media Week.
My work with youths in local communities has
exposed me to opportunities far and wide as a highly sought-after motivator
and keynote speaker engaged year-round as a facilitator for youth &
leadership development programs and community impact events.
My milestones include:
* A
proven record of leadership and accomplishment in civic engagement, youth
development and entrepreneurship.
* A
demonstrated commitment to public and community service; volunteerism and mentorship.
* Demonstrated
knowledge, interest and professional experience in the social and development
sector.
* The
ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and respect the opinions of
others.
* The
ability to mobilize young people and communities for a cause.
* Strong
social and communication skills.
* An
energetic, positive attitude.
