There are many ways to give to make life better for others, and our children are learning that everyone can be a giver.  We used the occasion of Children’s Day to ask the children and our friends and supporters, “What is in your hand?”  That was really quite empowering for our kids, who realised that they have so much to give, and worked together to plan a fundraiser, so that they could give back to others less fortunate in their communities.

The following report by our Social Worker, Ifeoma, is about our Give Back Sale event and the Give Food Stamps Initiative we took advantage of to distribute food amongst those living in one of the poorest areas in Lagos, Ajegunle:

This year’s Children’s Day was celebrated in a different way with our kids. They were very much involved in the planning and execution process. We want them to also imbibe the tradition of giving to others, and not always being the recipients.

The plan was to provide a meal for the less privileged living within their community, in partnership with Give Food Stamp Initiative.   We started off by having a Give Back Sale program, which was held on the 26th of May.

Prior to the Fundraiser, we had a planning meeting with the FLA Kids and our volunteers on how we can raise fund for the Food stamps.  It was decided that there was going to be a Give Back Sale event where donated items and items made by the kids will be sold.  Flyers were made for the event, for donations and awareness, which were also given to our kids for distribution within their communities.

On the day of the Fundraiser, 26th May, we had food, drinks, craft works, paintings, used clothes and shoes, kitchen wares, liquid soap and bleach for sale.  The kids were placed in-charge of the sales and were accountable for different items.  They gave proper accounts of their sales for the day.  Though we did not raise much funds from the sale, we were glad that our kids were involved in the process and were given a sense of responsibility, and giving to others who are in need too.   We also received a few donations from supportive friends, which helped towards our fundraising goal.

Still in the celebration of the Children’s Day, we distributed the Food Stamps on Saturday, 9th June 2018.  We concentrated at Ajegunle-Apapa for the distribution.  Our kids were also involved in the distribution of the stamps.  They were given some food stamps to distribute within their immediate communities, while the rest were distributed within Boundary-Ajegunle.  The kids were happy to be part of the distribution process, they were glad that they could contribute their own little quota to put smiles on people’s faces.

We had 250 food stamps for 250 less privileged persons; each person given the food stamp will be able to buy food worth N250 at any of the designated food vendors around the area.  The food stamps can be used within a month.  Some of the persons given the food stamps were able to use it to buy food on that day, and were happy that they had food to eat, without having to worry how they will pay for it.

***

Give Food Stamps is a new initiative whereby people raise funds online, which are converted to food stamps and given to poor people, who can trade these stamps in for food from registered food sellers.  The initiative helps both the needy who receive the stamps and the sellers, whose small businesses are supported to provide the service to those in their communities.  It is a worthy initiative, and we hope to see it implemented in more areas in Lagos and in Nigeria.

We appreciate all our partners, donors, volunteers and the FLA Kids who made this event both fun and beneficial for so many people in need.  If you made a pledge to support this event or any of our programmes, please redeem your pledge by making a donation today.  Go to www.paystack.com/pay/fla-projects or donate via our GlobalGiving Project Page or transfer to Fair Life Africa Foundation at Guaranty Trust Bank, 0106643687.  Thanks so much!