Organization Profile
First Step Action for children Initiative (FIRST) is a child focused organization registered with the Cooperate Affairs Commission with the head quarters in Makurdi, Benue state Nigeria. The organization has functional offices in Adamawa, Benue and Nasarawa states in Nigeria. The offices are being coordinated by the functional secretariat in Makurdi Benue state headed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the program management team. FIRST was founded in 1998 as a community based organization called First Step Foundation Association (FSFA). The organization worked on several projects within the state expanding its scope across many Local Government Areas, and in February 2002 it became registered with the state Ministry of Women Affairs as an NGO. The association was established with a keen desire to assist rural families to improve the quality of lives of their children. Realizing that, young children have very close ties with their mothers in Nigeria, it became expedient to include women on the programs of the association. From the successes recorded, the Board of the organization was encouraged to apply for registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja. On December 19, 2008 the association was formerly registered by the Commission and had its name changed to the present First Step Action for Children.
Vision
FIRST envisions a society where children develop according to their full potentials.
Mission
FIRST is committed to ensuring the holistic development of children and youths by expanding their opportunities and choices in order to enable them utilize their full potential in life and by working to remove all impediments to women development which often has reciprocal effect on the lives of children.
Values
Accountability: We believe that we should be accountable, responsive, and transparent to all that we serve and those who support us.
Continuous Learning: First Step learning is central to our work. We continually review, refine, adapt our methods and our thinking to make sure our work is sustainable, innovative relevant and effective Team work: Striving for quality, innovation and diversity
Love: An affectionate feeling of care towards one another and those we support
Respect: Respect for a diverse working environment? Handwork: We believe that we should be doing our work well and seriously GOAL To promote the recognition and acceptance of the rights of women and children and ensure that children have the best possible prospects for survival, growth, development, protection and participation.
Our Strength
FIRST enjoys the privilege of working with the government, CSO and communities in a coordinated manner both directly, and through local partners to address issues of HIV/TB/Malaria prevention, impact mitigation for women, children and young people. We also have a large pool of volunteers and service providers across states and communities who have varied skills in developmental humanitarian work, HIV/AIDS/TB and sexual reproductive health programs and community engagement to reduce disease burdens in Nigeria and also raise awareness through strategic partnerships and collaboration with health and education sector stakeholders on importance of WASH and advocate to improve the quality of education.
Goal
To promote the recognition and acceptance of the rights of women and children and ensure that children have the best possible prospects for survival, growth, development, protection and participation.
Focus Area
FIRST is a child focused organization that leverages on community participation and involvement to address issues around health, education, governance, livelihood, gender and human right, mental health and research.