Life at Best Development Initiative - LABDI

Celebrating children goes beyond a single day on the calendar—it means amplifying their voices and championing their rights to protection, education, health, and meaningful participation.

Yesterday, LABDI brought the spirit of Children's Day to life in the Kushari and Shuwari communities of Maiduguri. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, excitement, and pride as children confidently showcased their cognitive abilities, talents, and creativity.

We were also honoured by the presence of our Executive Director, Ladi Clark, whose participation reaffirmed LABDI's commitment to creating opportunities where every child can learn, thrive, and be heard.

Community stakeholders who graced the event were equally inspired, commending the children and reaffirming our shared responsibility to nurture and protect every child's potential.

At LABDI, celebrating children is not limited to May 27-it is a commitment we live out every day.

This was possible with support from , NHF

Just a few months ago, Umar was battling acute malnutrition, and his future was uncertain. Today, he is healthy, active, and thriving; a transformation made possible through the nutrition education and support provided by LABDI.

His mother shares:

"My child was acutely malnourished until I began feeding him the Tom Brown recipe taught and provided by LABDI. Today, my son, Umar, is healthy, active, and thriving. Seeing this transformation, I am now teaching other women in my community how to prepare Tom Brown so they too can help their children grow healthy and strong."

This story demonstrates the power of equipping mothers with practical knowledge and locally available solutions to combat malnutrition. Beyond improving the health of one child, LABDI's intervention is creating a ripple effect that extends throughout entire communities. Women are not only learning how to identify and prevent malnutrition early, but they are also becoming advocates and educators, sharing life-saving knowledge with other mothers.

When a mother is empowered with the right information and tools, she can protect her children, improve their nutritional status, and give them a better chance at a healthy future. Every healthy child represents a family strengthened, a community made more resilient, and a step forward in the fight against malnutrition.

At LABDI, we remain committed to ensuring that more mothers have access to the knowledge, resources, and support they need to raise healthy children and build healthier communities.

Together, we are turning stories of vulnerability into stories of hope, recovery, and lasting impact.

This success was possible with support from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund OCHA Funds

What happens when adolescents are given a safe space to be heard, understood, and supported?

At the Kushari Child Friendly Space, we are witnessing remarkable transformations. Through our Life Skills sessions, adolescent boys and girls are learning to understand their emotions, express their feelings in healthy ways, and build meaningful connections with others.

These sessions go beyond activities—they are helping young people develop self-awareness, resilience, and the confidence to navigate life's challenges.

Every conversation, every lesson, and every shared experience is contributing to improved emotional wellbeing and empowering adolescents to grow into healthier, more confident individuals.

Because when young people are equipped with life skills, they don't just cope with challenges-they thrive.

OCHA Funds

Life At Best Development Initiative (LABDI) wishes all incredible fathers and father figures a very Happy Father's Day!

We celebrate the strength, love, and unwavering guidance of fathers worldwide. Thank you for the sacrifices you make, the wisdom you share, and for making a meaningful difference in the lives of your children every single day.

Today, At Best Development Initiative (LABDI) joined the Borno State Government, the Borno State Primary Health Care Development Board, stakeholders, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs),and key partners, at Dala Primary Health Care Centre in Jere LGA for the flag-off of the Integrated Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week.

The event was a reminder that every mother deserves safe care during pregnancy, every child deserves a healthy start to life, and every family deserves access to quality healthcare services.

Throughout the week, pregnant women will receive free essential antenatal support and supplements, while children will benefit from free immunization services, Vitamin A supplementation, and other vital interventions aimed at improving nutrition and reducing preventable illnesses. These services are available at health facilities across the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Borno State, bringing life-saving care closer to the communities that need it most.

At Life At Best Development Initiative (LABDI), we remain committed to supporting efforts that improve maternal and child health, because healthier mothers and children are the foundation of stronger communities.

UNICEF Nigeria United Nations OCHAWorld Health Organization World Food Programme Action Against Hunger Nigeria Save the Children International Mercy Corps INTERSOS - Humanitarian Organization Ladi Clark CASFOD NIGERIA Future Resilience and Development Foundation Center for Advocacy, Transparency and Accountability Initiative (CATAI)

“I will be able to train others in my community with my new acquired skill,” says Yahaya.

A beam of hope is shining brighter in Bama LGA.

Over the past six months, Life At Best Development Initiative (LABDI) has successfully trained 111 young people (86 girls and 25 boys) in various vocational skills, including tailoring, barbing, aluminium fabrication, carpentry, and welding. In addition, 50 caregivers were equipped with livelihood skills in tailoring and baking through training delivered by master trainers.

These efforts are helping to create sustainable livelihoods, promote self-reliance, and empower community members with practical skills that can improve their economic well-being and support their families.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the generosity of Agency for Development and Cooperation, the technical support of des hommes foundation, and our partner Youth Integrated for Positive Development Initiative - YIPDI. Your unwavering commitment to transforming lives, strengthening community resilience, and creating opportunities is helping to build a more self-reliant and prosperous future for vulnerable communities.

"We can now prevent our children from dying from malnutrition...."

This testimony from one of the many caregivers supported by Life at Best Development Initiative - LABDI highlights the power of knowledge and practical tools in the fight against malnutrition. By equipping caregivers with the skills to detect and respond to malnutrition early, we are helping save children's lives and giving them a healthier future.

This grand achievement is possible with support from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund OCHA Funds

For many families in Zulum Camp, Ngala LGA, access to essential healthcare items can make all the difference.

To support safer childbirth, distributed delivery kits to expectant mothers, equipping them with basic supplies needed during labour and delivery.

Recognising the importance of leaving no one behind, we also distributed Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) to persons with disabilities, helping to reduce their risk of malaria.

This effort reflects our commitment to improving maternal health while protecting vulnerable groups from preventable diseases.

United Nations OCHA