Nigerian NGO Gabasawa Women and Children Initiative receives grants from the Western Union Foundation to equip and supply school libraries in Nigeria

June 18^th , 2015

LAGOS, Nigeria – The Western Union Foundation today announced its support for vocational education in Nigeria by providing Gabasawa Women and Children Initiative (GWCI) a USD $98,500 grant to support school libraries around Nigeria.

GWCI is dedicated to bringing marginalized and fringe families into the mainstream of society, giving hope to the hopeless and the forgotten wherever we find them. GWCI takes concrete steps to offer underprivileged women the psychological, educational and professional tools and support they need to succeed in life. Orphans and vulnerable children are also a priority for the organization, which provides essential health care services and information and solutions for community child care.

“One of the objectives of GWCI is to encourage reading culture among Nigerian students by providing reading facilities in public schools that have poor library facilities. The Western Union Foundation is a natural collaborator as we share the same vision of promoting education. Our combined efforts have brought results that will change lives. This project will address the core problem of poorly-equipped libraries, making teaching difficult for teachers,” said Doris Yaro, founder of Gabasawa Women and Children Initiative.

The Western Union Foundation is providing this grant through its Agent Giving Program, which provides Western Union Agents with a unique opportunity to come together in support of education, economic opportunity and disaster relief initiatives. Agents who generously contributed towards this project are Skye Bank, GTBank, Diamond, UBA, Ecobank Nigeria and FBN – together donated USD $68,500, with the Western Union Foundation Agent Giving Program contributing USD $30,000 in additional funding.

Two new “Read to Succeed” projects in Nigeria

The funds raised are meant to refurbish, stock and furnish Arch Deacon Adelaja Boys Secondary School in Bariga, Lagos (1,000 students) and Community Senior High School, in Alapere, Ketu, Lagos (800 students). With these two new projects, Western Union’s “Read to Succeed” program has benefited a total of nine public schools in the country. Donations include furniture, computers, books and other media.

Commissioning for these school library projects was scheduled for May 26, 2015.

“The Western Union Foundation seeks out NGOs that share its priorities of lifting people out of poverty through education,” said Patrick Gaston, President of Western Union Foundation. “Our collaboration with Gabasawa Women and Children Initiative is the ideal way of reaching out to

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children and making a difference in their lives. Through this project, we encourage students to read by providing them with a suitable reading environment.

Since 2001, the Western Union Foundation has given more than $101.1 million through 3,095 grants and donations. Its support has benefited 2,739 organizations in more than 135 countries and territories, from large global NGOs to small local nonprofits and charities. The Foundation has also worked with 517 Western Union Agents in charitable programs and brought disaster relief to over 142 operations in 65 countries around the world.

About The Western Union Foundation

The Western Union Foundation is dedicated to creating a better world, where the ability to realize dreams through economic opportunity is not just a privilege for the few but a right for all. With the support of The Western Union Company, its employees, Agents, and business partners, The Western Union Foundation works to realize this vision by supporting education and disaster relief efforts as pathways toward a better future. Our combined social ventures efforts make life better for individuals, families and communities around the world. Since its inception, The Western Union Foundation has paid more than $101.1 million in grants and other giving to more than 2,739 nongovernmental organizations in more than 135 countries and territories. The Western Union Foundation, is a separate §501(c)(3) recognized United States charity. To learn more, visit www.westernunionfoundation.org,or Follow us on Twitter @TheWUFoundation.

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