JAN student Artwork and Progress: Brookstone College, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

 

DNA Strands made from used calendars

By Miss. Sodueari Petrina Graham-Douglas

Executive Director, Brook Designs Ltd

Brookstone Secondary School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

This is the work of Miss. Sodueari Petrina Graham-Douglas. She is 16 years old, and hails from a family of seven. Her father is an Architect and her mother is a Legal Practitioner, and acknowledges how fortunate she is to have two parents with such unique professions.

From a very young age, Sodueari followed her father to building sites at an early age where she was brought face to face with his profession.  As a person, everything she does comes from an Architectural and Interior Designer standpoint. With the support of her Father she gained a lot of experience in her chosen field as in Architecture by interning, while simultaneously building her University portfolio. Sodueari has found Art to be an invaluable part of her life as it enriches her mind and acts as positive outlet for anxiety and stress.

In early 2013 Sodueari was introduced to the Junior Achievement’s Company Program (CP) and got the privilege of becoming the Executive Director of their art based company, Brook Designs Ltd. Brook Designs worked hand in hand with their schools Eco Action team where they sourced recycling materials to create works of art, while brainstorming on innovative concepts to better Nigeria. This proved to be a problem initially for them because of their busy schedules but they made time for daily strategy meetings. Start-up funding proved to be the trickiest part as Brookstone is a boarding school. So during visiting days and other functions the team created booths to showcase their designs and asked their families for start-up funds.

Sodueari is a now a strong Arts Advocate and acknowledges the critical role it plays in her development. When she draws, paints or designs, she feels more authentic and performs better in whatever she sets her mind too. She joined her schools Eco team and made it her duty to keep her immediate surroundings clean and recycle waste products into useful items.

Being a participant in a JA program has made Sodueari more aware of her strengths and weakness, and provided her an outlet to work on her imperfections and boost her confidence. Sodueari had always been shy and reserved but being a Leader required a lot of self-confidence, perseverance and the ability to work under pressure.

Sodueari’s inter-personal communication skills strengthened as she learned how to interact with potential clients and investors. She learnt about people. JAN taught her how to be an enduring and selfless individual that should never take things for granted while interacting with the less privileged during JAN Community Service Responsibility (CSR) activities. 

Rose flower made with match sticks

Miss. Obianuju Nwadike, Finance Manager, Brook Designs Ltd.

 

Brookstone Secondary School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

This is the work of Obianuju Nwadike, she is 16 years old, and comes from a family of six. At her time of graduation she was the Senior Prefect at Brookstone Secondary School. She has been aligned with Junior Achievement Nigeria since 2013, where she assumed the role of Finance Manager for Brook Designs Ltd an art based Design Company which sources recycling materials to create artworks which can be used in interior design, or teaching purposes while participating in JA Company Program.

Obianuju initially found, being a part of the company challenging for the whole group because it was still very new to them and being boarding students meant getting access to materials wasn't easy. However, that difficulty in sourcing for materials challenged them to create efficient products for sale. They found a way to pull through their busy schedules and meet daily for strategy meetings, which entailed them meeting over the weekend and even in their individual pastoral centres. They were able to get support, research materials, guidance, and motivation from their teachers which encouraged them to keep going.

Through this experience Obianuju’s self-confidence was boosted tremendously; not to mention her interpersonal, communication and decision making skills were also sharpened. She’s equally learned to be a team player and has developed insight on entrepreneurship.

These are some of the skills she is very proud to have acquired thanks to the Junior Achievement Nigeria. Obianuju wholeheartedly agrees that this forum is one that shouldn't be missed if the opportunity presents itself and is forever grateful for the opportunity.

Obianuju is considering pursuing a career in International Relations.

What’s next for Obianuju and Sodueari?

Obianuju and Sodueari graduated from Secondary School with good grades at the time of the interview. Both ladies plan to continue to develop Brook Designs Limited and have signed up to volunteer at primary schools in their respective communities.