Love in a Dustbin

I keep getting educated everyday and today I learnt two valuable things; 1]   That love can be shared anywhere, even in a dustbin, and 2] That with only N1000 [£4], you can make a huge difference. 

Valentine ’s Day is only a few weeks away, and while you're out buying those expensive gifts for your loved ones, you can please spare N1000 for a worthy cause. Here’s how…

Chris Speaks

Every year for the past six years, I and some of my friends have held the OneLove Project, helping individuals and organisations who work for the good of society do their jobs better. Beneficiaries have included the Heart of Gold Home for Children and the Down’s Syndrome Association of Nigeria, Cheshire Home and Motherless babies Home, Ibadan.

Last year we raised N110,000 for Down's Syndrome Association of Nigeria. This year we are working with Tolu Sangosanya’s Dustbin Estate Project on a project called OneLove Project for Dustbin Children

On the 18th of Dec 2006, Tolu Sangosanya fed 300 street kids between Maryland and Ikeja. In 2007 she fed 1000 street children in Okobaba. In 2008 she had three such events sponsored by Link-A-Child. In 2009 she fed over 1000 kids at Dustbin Estate in Olodi Apapa [all locations in Lagos, Nigeria]. She started a literacy class there in February 2009, with 120 kids.

Currently, there are 84 registered children, aged 4-17, attending literacy classes at an apartment located on a refuse dump in Dustbin Estate.They now have a place and would love to furnish and equip it.  We plan to raise  N250,000 for them for this purpose.                                 



How can you come in?


250 people are needed to give at least N1000 each. The money raised will be handed over on the 14th of February, 2011 as a Valentine’s gift of love to the kids.

We believe that deep within each heart, there lies a magic spark. It’s our world; if it is to get better, it is up to all of us.

Apart from Chris, other Volunteers for the OneLove Project for Dustbin Children are:

Lamide Akintobi                                                 Ugo Obi-Uchendu

Iyk Ibeh

To be a part of this, pls contact the OneLove Project for Dustbin Children team on 
oneloveprojectnigeria@gmail.com or text 08056431785

Running 'cos a life depends on it!!!

 I recently found out - through my friend Bola - that Cancer Research UK  is the world's largest charity dedicated to cancer research by supporting the work of around 4,800 scientists, doctors and nurses across the UK. Cancer Research UK’s scientists and doctors have made significant contributions to half of the top 30 drugs used to treat patients worldwide today. And with over 230 events taking place across the UK,  the Race for Life is Cancer Research UK's flagship event; vital in funding their work of preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer. Good thing is it's open to public participation, and Bola and her friends have consistently been part of the ‘race’ for a while now. This year, she shares her experience with us. Hope you enoy it, while learning a thing or two... 

Bola Speaks 

On Sunday, the 18^th of July 2010, Dayo Okiji and myself, along with a group of our loyal supporters met at London Hyde Park for the annual Race for Life event.  The event was fun to watch and to be a part of; there were musicians and dancers entertaining the crowd and face-painting for the children. We arrived [and also started out] late, but that didn’t matter as we still had to do 5 kilometers. We didn’t actually run all the way because  it was way too hot and the ambulance wasn’t close enough – just in case I crashed so i took it easy[lol] We jogged… and walked … but still managed to hold it together till we got to the end.

 Dayo’s feet were killing her but she kept going. It all went smoothly until the part when i got stuck on a fence try to take a short cut L. Unfortunately I don’t have a picture of this particular scene because Dayo couldn’t figure out how to use the power button, but I survived as she eventually helped me down after laughing her heart out!

                                                                                        

On a whole, It was great to have the whole family there for support - shout out to Seun, Bukky, Joke, Mercy, Lekan, Mary and all the kids....we love you sooo much and thanks for the encouragement. Of course we’ll do it again next year!!! Till 2011, keep making a difference whichever way you can J Together we will beat cancer 

x 

For people who keep asking [or wondering] WHY we do it, here goes....

Why are we involved?

I bet every single person knows someone who has been, or is affected by cancer. We Race for Life for everyone who has died from cancer and in the hope that less people will die from the disease in the future. Whether it’s raising money for Cancer research or for children in need, it’s just about making a difference; we do it simply because we care. It is hard to describe the atmosphere at the event and what it feels like to see thousands of people who share the same passion as you. It is a humbling experience. It is truly inspiring to read the signs pinned to each person’s backs as everyone has a different story

                                                                                                        Dayo was real happy to cross the finish line. lol. Who wouldn't? 

Our sponsorship page is still open for donations, please show some love: http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/boladayotemi

A Singing Sista's lyrics

Is it ever tiring to keep talking [or writing] about doing some good, making a difference, or being that change?! Well, not if that's what you're wired to do. Today however,I leave it to a guest Blogger to do all the talking. Sistasoul [born Veronny Odili] is a performing Artiste and dear friend, and when she told me about her 'i-Read Literacy network' project, I thought to myself "about time!" ; Nigeria was recently announced as having the highest number of children with no access to education, and even though a lot of well-meaning citizens as well as celebs have been trying to do something about it, it's rather galling that despite all the support from fans, not a lot of Artistes around these parts are passionate about social responsibility. Well, if the established ones won't do it, who says the newbies can't?!!

Veronny speaks

Contrary to what the media, particularly the western media says about Africa, we are hardly all about hunger, wars and diseases. We are a blessed continent with great people and vision.
That is not to say we do not have our own fair share of problems. We do, just like every existing society out there. Ok, maybe a little more :-) Many of our problems however, can be traced to ignorance; when we KNOW, then we are empowered. We cannot speak up with one voice most times because there is conflict of interests and unawareness from the larger percentage of the people. The ones who are in the know are generally fewer.

The iRead literacy network is a voluntary movement of many people with one goal; Stomp out illiteracy by teaching people, particularly children how to read, I say children, in particular because of their natural curiosity which ultimately creates the willingness that ultimately leads to the absorption of knowledge.

The benefits of literacy are limitless. We are using this network as a tool to impact knowledge, promote understanding between our cultures, improve self esteem, as well as giving people an avenue for sharing their gifts through volunteer teaching and mentorship.

In due course, there will be many programs which are centered around our goal but for now; we start with giving our time and knowledge to children in public schools who do not have enough teachers and those in children’s homes who are orphaned and/or those who ordinarily cannot afford teachers.

This is a call therefore to you, my good people. If you are moved to join the network, please by all means do. We have a facebook group [iREAD LITERACY NETWORK] where you can show your support. Presently, our first port of call will be at a children’s home/public school in Accra, Ghana.
Please join us if you can, and/or alternatively reach us with suggestions, ideas, questions and comments

Thanks so much and God bless.
One Africa, One Love, One Goal.

To connect with the project, please contact Sistasoul by Email: ireadafrica@gmail.com / sistasoul001@gmail.com
Phone: +233 (0) 541855661
Also read blog posts on: www.ireadafrica.blogspot.com
catch a feel of her music on http://www.myspace.com/sistasoul4always

A little something to help out wit

I've been getting tons of mails [especially since the last post about my trip to the Red Cross Orphanage] from people expressing their desire to do something positive. Well, I guess prayers do get answered - and quickly too - as there'll be a walk, just like the Walk Against Rape some months ago. But this time around, it's an awareness walk in celebration of the World Sickle Day, organised by the Sickle Cell Advocacy & Management Initiative [SAMI] in Nigeria

Details:
Walk for Change: Be Sickle Smart
Take off Point: National Stadium End Point: NIMR Hall, Edmund Close, Yaba
Take off time: 8.00am

FOR YOUR BRANDED TSHIRTS and/or CAPS TEXT 0809 800 7264 WITH YOUR NAME NOS & SIZE. Cost: T Shirts 3000, Cap 200 ( this is limited in qty)

and a Symposium

In Celebration of the World Sickle cell Awareness Day
Under the distinguished chairmanship of Dr Jide Idris, the Lagos State Honourable Commissioner of Health
Theme: 100 YEARS OF SICKLE CELL DISORDER – STILL SEEKING A SOLUTION”
Date: Saturday 19th June, 2010.
Venue : NIMR Hall, Nigerian institute of medical research, Edmund Street, behind Presbyterian Church, Yaba, Lagos.
Time: 12noon.

Free Genotype Testing Available
Refreshment follows

Help spread the word and create more awareness on Sickle Cell Disorder. And remember to go in your Jeans and Tshirt.

LEND & MTV saf ; The wait is over!

 OMG!!! After months of waiting patiently, the Lend/MTV staying alive video is finally out!

Incase this news sounds alien to you; in April I blogged about LEND and their MTV staying alive-sponsored programme which held in march and was totally inspiring. For more info, go to  http://ilove2volunteer.blogspot.com/2010/05/2-days-lending-hand.html . All I can say is "God bless Mtv Staying Alive Foundation and the LEND team - Eunice Eso, Desmond Okoro, Olusola Kayode, and Temitope Akinbomi"

Leaders with New Dimensions (LeND) from mtv staying alive on Vimeo.

My Day with the Kids

Children's day [May 27] may be gone, but I had mine with the kids at the Red Cross Orphanage, Yaba. The first time I met them was on Sunday, November 1, 2010; it was my friend Kofo's birthday, and she decided to ditch her usual glam get together for time out with orpans. So we picked up contributions [toys, clothes etc] from friends, bought drinks, food and supplies and spent the entire day with the lil' cuties. Well, I didn't get to do much on Thursday, May 27, 2010 which was Children's day, so I decided to go back and visit the children at Red Cross. I'd gone there on Thursday, June 3 to make enquires and Mrs. Obanife [the Matron] mentioned that the next day would be perfect for visitation as the children were on mid-term break. So next day it was! The rains came heavily and tried to hold me down, but I was determined and at 3:00pm I hailed a cab and went to Red Cross. These are the photos

 

My Personal faves, Charles and Fred

Happy Africa Day!

  Today is Africa day and this year’s theme is ‘peace and security for Africa’ . Peace and security are definitely two things we desperately need in Africa.

In Nigeria, they say 'The Police is your friend...' but honestly you can't even trust uniformed men who flag you down at night! and as for peace, the recent happenings in Jos questions our unity and peace. As Africa celeberates a day of Unity [which is what today is really about] I'm proudly waving my flag - which is green white green; what is yours? I'm also saying a prayer - one which I pray everyday for my continent - that we change from our status of the ‘hungry’, improverished third world continent to the opposite. Happy Africa Day!