It's Monday so I'm not going to inundate you with all of that
mushy stuff that I love so much. Even if you are not a parent, you will know that the summer holidays have started and in September all many kids will have new textbooks, stationery school uniforms and maybe even a new school bag.
Last week I was on my way out when it started raining and I bumped into this friend of mine who I had lost touch with. She is
part of this initiative called "Slum To School" which helps kids from the slums of Makoko in Lagos get school books, bags,
stationery and other school supplies. I have never actually been a part of it
but I have always wanted to. So as we perched under my tiny umbrella and I saved
her lovely weave from getting drenched in rain (wonder what she would
have done if she hadn't bumped into me lol), I
felt just as blessed by our meeting as she was.
It reminded me of when I was 19 and I started visiting a
local orphanage. I couldn't really buy them things but I carried the little babies and toddlers and
taught the older kids songs and told them stories. I thought I was a blessing then but
boy was I wrong…These beautifully faced children of all shades and sizes
brought tears to my eyes and they do now as I type. Their smiles and laughs and
remarks as if they had all the love in the world brought me so much joy, they were a blessing to me.
My prayer is that many of us are choose to reach out this way. It is still July and school resumes in September, so you have time to budget time and resources. If you
are single, this is a great way to get a feel of what its like to care for kids
and if you have older children this is a
fantastic way to expose them to social responsibility or shall I call it
charity? If you are part of such a program, that helps orphans or other
less privileged kids, do let us now. We would be pleased to promote it on the
site so that others can make time out of their busy, or not so busy schedules
to get involved.
Stay socially responsible!
By Ijeoma Olujekun
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