In 2019, Giving Back with Evie launched its first Community Christmas Cheer Project at an IDP camp in Abuja, Nigeria. What began as a Christmas initiative became something much more meaningful: a two-week skill acquisition and mentorship program designed to give children, teenagers, and young adults opportunities to learn, connect, and develop practical skills.
Throughout the two weeks, participants took part in hands-on sessions including soap making, baking, computer literacy, personal hygiene, and mentorship. The goal was not simply to keep young people engaged during the holiday season, but to introduce them to practical knowledge and skills they could carry beyond the program.
The program concluded with a grand finale that brought the community together for a day of celebration. About 150 people attended, enjoying food, games, music, and activities in an atmosphere centered on joy and togetherness.
For Giving Back with Evie, the project represented an early expression of an idea that continues to shape the organization today: giving back can go beyond providing things. It can mean creating spaces where people learn, build confidence, discover new possibilities, and experience community.
The first Community Christmas Cheer Project was more than a holiday event. It was the beginning of a commitment to combine learning, mentorship, practical opportunity, and community connection in the work Giving Back with Evie does.
Two weeks of learning. A day of celebration. One experience that helped shape what Giving Back with Evie would become.
