Residents of Makoko Community, Lagos State, will not forget in a hurry the day a non-for-profit, Caregiva Foundation, came on a humanitarian mission there.
No fewer than 500 persons, including women and children, benefited from donations by the group.
Like children receiving their father back home after a long sojourn, they trooped out enmasse to receive the “ august” visitors. Some could not hide their surprise when they saw that the visitors were youngsters between 20 and 27. What was even more interesting was how children and teens were calling the visitors “Daddy”, “Mummy”, as they held their hands.
Tagged: “Visit to Makoko Community”, the event was organised by Caregiva Foundation. The initiative, the foundation said, was borne out of the “desire to give back to the society by providing love, care, and support for the less-privileged that are financially, mentally, and physically challenged”.
The maiden event witnessed the feeding of over 300 children, the donation of rice, salt, vegetable oil, noodles, slippers, clothes, among others, to orphans and the needy. The foundation also ssssspledged to support five children in their education and 20 others for vocational training.
Although they were familiar with such visits from well-spirited individuals and groups, the Baale of the Community, Chief Aide Albert Jeje, noted that the foundation’s team, who were youths, was truly inspiring. He urged the foundation to assist the community in alleviating its water problem in the community.
“We are so happy to receive Caregiva Foundation here. It is impressive seeing that youngsters are the ones behind all the great gifts that are brought for us today. I am speechless and so grateful.
“Most of the children living in this community don’t have access to good and basic education since there is no money to send them to school. Some of them are orphans. They hardly eat three square meals a day. And so we are praying that God will continue to bless the good work that these youngsters have started,” he prayed.
Thirteen-year-old Olanike Adeniyi could not hide her joy, saying that the giveaways were coming at the appropriate time.
“I am thankful for protecting us here in Makoko. I lost my mother when I was only nine months old and was abandoned by my father. I was raised by my grandmother, who feels that after my secondary education, I should either be married off or just learn a trade. I want to grow up to be an important person in the society one day. I wish to be part of those that will be assisted in furthering their education.”
For seven-year-old Ezekiel Iroko, who is aspiring to be a medical doctor, the foundation’s gesture will serve as relief to his mother who has been the breadwinner ever since he lost his father at a tender age.
Like the Baale, Aisha Ademola, a young widow and mother of one who was one of the beneficiaries, was also full of thanks to the group for the gifts, stating that the food items would go a long way to alleviate their hunger.
For the President and founder of the Caregiva Foundation, Bunmi Banjo, the gesture was part of the foundation’s social responsibilities in reaching out to the less-privileged. She disclosed that the foundation will sponsor at least, five children on their education and 20 others for vocational training.
The foundation, Bunmi said, is geared towards putting smiles on the faces of the less privileged and the orphans in the society by showing them love, care and support.
“Makoko as the largest slum community in West Africa with over 200,000 inhabitants and thousands of children living here need help. We sincerely hope that other members of the society, who are well to do will support a cause like this and come here to show the children love,” she admonished.
The programme was supported by Chemart Pharmacy, Metropolitan Motors, Taos Beauty Brand, Tricontinental Oil Service and Mrs Bakers Bakery.
The community leader, who received the foundation team, Chief Benjamin Aide , commended the spirit behind the donation, saying that the gesture would go a long way in bringing smiles to the needy.
Aide said: “It is at times like this that you know those who are passionate about meeting the needs of the less privileged and the needy. What the foundation has done today shows that their efforts were based on passion and commitment to the plight of the downtrodden. We can only commend them and urge them to continue to identify with this community and other vulnerable places at large.”
