USADF Commits Funding for People Living with Autism in Nigeria:

WASHINGTON - May 25, 2010

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 25, 2010 – The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) has signed a grant to benefit the OLG Heath Foundation and Autism Centre (OLG) which is located in the Niger Delta.  

After signing the grant, USADF President Lloyd Pierson stated, “The American Center for Disease Control estimates that one out of every 150 children in Nigeria is affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders.  People with Autism are a severely marginalized population in Nigeria and USADF is committed to serving them.”

OLG provides treatment and support to children and adults affected by autism in Port Harcourt and promotes awareness of the disease in the region.  Specifically, the twenty-eight employees of OLG empower children and adults with autism by giving them life skills to enable them to earn an income.  OLG provides free autism care services to children and adults in Port Harcourt.  In addition, as the only organization in the Niger Delta running village-based autism awareness services, OLG provides a crucial service in this under-served region.

The two year grant will provide funds to train OLG’s staff to strengthen the Centre’s business and financial management capacity.  In addition, the funding will help OLG refurbish its tailoring facility, and  provide technical training to OLG’s staff and clients.

USADF started programming in Nigeria in 2001. Nigeria’s current portfolio stands at thirty-one investment projects totaling more than $5 million.  For more information about the portfolio, please visit the country’s quick source page at http://www.adf.gov/USADF-QuickSourceCountryPortfolioPage-Nigeria.htm .

The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) is a United States Government agency dedicated to expanding access to economic opportunities to the most marginalized populations in Africa. Currently USADF operates in 20 African countries. Over the past 25 years, USADF has funded in excess of $200 million in African initiated and led development projects.  For more information on USADF, its programs and application guidelines, visit www.usadf.gov .

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