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Project_Inspire Interview With Ruth Ki

Ruth Ki was born in a community that didn't support educating the girl child. But she thrived to break the bias and is today helping young people in rural communities rise above their limitations and achieve their dreams. In this interview with Project_Inspire, Ruth shares her story.


PROJECT_INSPIRE: Can we meet you? 
  Ruth: I am Ruth Sunday Ki,an indigene of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. I am the founder of Right Culture Development Initiative, a non-profit organisation based in Jos. I am currently undergoing my one year compulsory national youth service at the Taraba State University, Jalingo, Taraba State. I am passionate about youth and community development. I love to see young people excel in all their endeavours. I am a cyber security enthusiast and a development consultant.


  PROJECT_INSPIRE: Tell us briefly about your childhood? 
  Ruth:Growing up was hard for me and my siblings because of the belief that girls are not supposed to access formal education because they are girls. This was a big cultural barrier for me and the girls I grew up with. My educational journey was a struggle. I went to a primary school where we sit on bricks and stones to listen to the teacher and had no access to learning resources. Amidst all these,I gave my best and graduated with a First Class from the university. 

  PROJECT_INSPIRE:What is your educational background like? 
  Ruth:I am a graduate of Criminology and Security studies from the University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria. I hold a diploma in Legal Studies from Plateau State Polytechnic, a Senior School Certificate from Government Secondary School Jebbu, Miango and a first school leaving certificate from LEA Primary School Tafi-gana and a host of other professional certificates. 


  PROJECT_INSPIRE: What are your contributions towards making Nigeria a better place? 
  Ruth:In 2018 while in 300 level in the University, I started a non-profit organisation(Right Culture Initiative) with the kind help of the community I grew up in to help young people access opportunities in education and promote academic excellence in rural communities on the plateau. 


  PROJECT_INSPIRE: What have your achievements been? 
  Ruth :Our Organisation in its years of existence has been able to do the following:
 1. Reached out to 2,000 girls in three local governments of Plateau state with sanitary pads through our Academic Excellence and Menstrual Hygiene and Management awareness.
 2. We have reached out to youth in Jos North Local Government through our campaign against drugs and cultism due to its prevalence in 2020. 
 3. Plateau Girls Leadership summit where we train young girls on entrepreneurship, leadership and capacity development
 4. I am leading a book drive to provide study materials for 2,000 children in Taraba state where I discovered need learning resources. 


  PROJECT_INSPIRE: What motivated you to do what you are doing? 
  Ruth:What motivates me to keep pushing is the situation around me. Every day, I see the need to inspire, empower and encourage the younger generation irrespective of their background. I am encouraged to keep pushing whenever I see a gap that needs to be bridge. 


  PROJECT_INSPIRE: Tell us more about what you are doing and how it will help our nation realize its full potential? 
  Ruth:Right Culture Development Initiative is community development, Non-Governmental, non-profit organization to promote humanitarian culture among community members. Our vision is to have an established environment where opportunities are accessible for everyone through campaigns and awareness programs,conferences,medical outreaches,workshops and training amongst others.


  PROJECT_INSPIRE: What has been your challenges since you began your non-profit?
  Ruth:Our major constraint over the years have been funding for our community development projects. We have never received any form of external funding from funding organizations. I and members of our team fund most of our project and with the support of family and friends.


  PROJECT_INSPIRE: Many young people have great ideas but the finances are always a stumbling block, what will your advice be in this regard? 
  Ruth:If you have a great idea, don't let limited finances or lack of it deter you from attempting. Start small, start with what you have and the resources within your reach. Do not wait! 


  PROJECT_INSPIRE: How have you been able to raise funds to implement your ideas?
  Ruth:Most of the projects we've been able to implement were self-funded. There were times I had to deliberately save money for community projects.Crowdfunding and support from friends and family have helped me sustain my vision to create a better world starting from my home.


  PROJECT_INSPIRE: Could you share with us one or two experience(s) you have had in the course of teaching the game that has really impacted on you? 
  Ruth:In the course of doing what I am doing,I came across a situation in Bassa community where girls were denied access to formal education based on gender roles and responsibilities. We were able to push for change in that community and today,many of the girls in that community have completed high school while others are on scholarship to go through high school. This experience had such a big impact on me and proved that what I am doing is worthwhile. 


  PROJECT_INSPIRE: What are your prospects in the next 5-10years? 
  Ruth:In the next five years, I want to see the Right Culture Initiative grow to become a non-profit to reckon with globally. I see our trainings and empowerment programs to run in different African countries. We would also be establishing an academy where children from rural communities can access quality education. 


  PROJECT_INSPIRE: What do you think is the major cause of unemployment among the youth today and how can we get over this? 
  Ruth:What I think is the major cause of unemployment is lack of knowledge or better still, lack of the right information. I believe that with the right information, the youth in Nigeria will understand which skills are relevant and pursue them rather than staying and waiting. My advice to the youth is to build capacity, seek the right information, prepare for opportunities before they arrive and recognise them when they finally do. 


  PROJECT_INSPIRE: How can you be reached on social media for those who want to be part of what you are doing? 


  PROJECT_INSPIRE: Your final word for the Nigerian youth. 
  Ruth:As young people, we have all it takes to create the kind of world we want to see. We can all contribute to making the world a better place in our little ways.


  PROJECT_INSPIRE: Thank you for sharing your story with us and we do pray that many will be inspired as they read. 
  Ruth : It is my pleasure.



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