Lessons from Rio 2016 – Quality Education will bring out the excellence in Africa

For the past 10 days, the flames of excitement have been consistently fanned by enthusiasm, energy and panache in the midst of the most colourful city in South America: Rio de Janeiro, where more than 11,000 athletes have assembled to engage in the world’s biggest sporting event – Olympics.

A lucid representation of excellence is perceptible with a quick glance at the medals table.

http://m.bbc.com/sport/olympics/rio-2016/medals/countries

Perhaps, there is a correlation between the strongest economies of the world and the nations that jumped to the top five positions on the medals table. Maybe, they are just popular names we hear everyday.

Michael Phelps: Passion – Humility – Education – Love – Practice – Success.

The top five nations on the medals table in ascending order are: Germany, Russia, China, Great Britain and United States. According to an economic report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) – a ranking of the world’s largest economies which is usually updated twice annually with the latest one released in April 2016; four countries among the five at the top of the medals table occupy the top five spots in the ranking. In descending order, the world’s largest economies are: United States, China, Japan, Germany, and United Kingdom. This only portends that these countries understood the nitty-gritty of excellence; they paid the price of preparation and harnessed all the resources at their disposal to achieve their goals.
With just a couple days to the closure of the 2016 Summer Olympics, some countries are yet to win any medal and only one African nation is in the top 30 on the medals table:

David Rudisha, the giant among the giants.

Jemima Jelagat Sumbong, the future is brilliant. 

Kenya (19)

Brilliant performance of the athletes can be linked to the state of development in their countries. The underdevelopment in Africa can be associated with the poor quality of education available. One of Africa’s brightest leaders, Nelson Mandela, is the author of one of the world’s most powerful quotes on education; “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Africa needs to morph into a conglomerate of developed nations. This change can only be realized when education is given top priority in decision making and financial appropriations. A change that heralds rapid development can be initiated when quality education is fully embraced.
Africa is one of the world’s richest continents in terms of natural and human resources. In the pursuit of quality education and higher standard of living, best brains from Africa have migrated to other countries. Migrations to developed nations imply that they contribute immensely to the economy of their new countries. This is one of the reasons why developed nations with favourable immigration policies will always top the chart when it comes to the rankings.
A sneak peak at the best universities in the world can give an idea of where the best of educational facilities and resources are obtainable. According to The Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2015/2016, the United States serves as home to six universities that are among the top 10 in the world. China has two universities in the top 50, Japan has two universities in the top 100, Germany hosts nine universities in the top 100 and United Kingdom has three post-secondary institutions in the top 10 in the world. The depth of qualitative education in these countries may be one of the factors that have enabled them to be in control of the world’s largest economies. Perhaps, they invested heavily in education because they have a perfect understanding of the words of the Greek philosopher, Aristotle; “The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.”
Quality education in Africa needs a surge aided by financial commitments from private donors and government agencies. South Africa and Egypt are two African countries that have found their spots on the world map, because they paid attention to quality education. South Africa is a home to six universities that comfortably occupy the top 800 in the world with University of Cape Town in position 120. Egypt also has three universities in the top 800 while Nigeria can only make boast of one university in the top 800 in the world.

Conclusively, Africa is a name that resonates with excellence and brilliance; a habitat for great minds that can truly change the world. For the excellence in the loins of African youths to reach the continental stage, qualitative and standardized education must be made available to all and sundry. This will strengthen our economy, prepare us for the future and birth more athletes worthy of Olympic medals in Tokyo 2020.

Let us keep in mind that all is possible under the control of the Almighty.

Osho Samuel Adetunji

World Humanitarian Day: The World We Love To See

According to the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, the World Humanitarian Day is an annual reminder of the need to act to alleviate the suffering. It is also an occasion to honour the humanitarian workers and volunteers toiling on the frontlines of crises. It is a unique opportunity to pay tribute to these dedicated women and men who brave danger to help others at far greater risk.

In celebration of this special day, volunteers of OneAfricanChild Foundation raised a voice on the kind of world they would like to see, as humanitarians and active citizens.

I’d like a world where children can sleep at night and meet their dreams in the morning. A world of peace where their right to Future is respected.

~ Rene Ndebi

I would like a world where humans will learn to take personal responsibility for their actions and decisions, not blaming it on the government, religion, upbringing or other external forces.

~ Abisola Adewale

I dream of a world where every child has a bright future, where each of their dreams are fulfilled regardless of gender, religion ethnicity or race. A world full of opportunities that would help them dream BiG and achieve BiG.

~ Halima Twabi

I want a world where every youth has access to the social/economic services he/she needs.

~ Daud Idi

I would like a world where every youth would stand for what is right, deploying their abilities for the betterment of the state of the world not involving in terrorism!

~ Kotila Olumuyiwa

I would like to see a world where no one is looked down upon. A world of more Equity than Equality. A world full of Social Justice and not Social Vices. A world of Social Impact I must say and not Crises.

~ Dwamena Akenten

I would like to see a world where everyone sees opportunity in every situation because there are several other people who are willing to assist them. A world of possibilities amidst challenges.

~ Emmanuel Ohis

I would like to see a world where everyone is encouraged to maximize their potential, a world free of partiality.

~ Folasayo Ayoola

I’d like to see a world where children no longer learn under trees or have to cross crocodile filled rivers to reach school.

~ Korine Nereah

I’d like to see a world devoid of geographic segmentation. A world not like this 🌎 but like this 🌕. I mean a world like a whole white GLOBE where I can’t be said to be Nigerian🇳🇬, you Ghanaian🇬🇭 and the next man Indian🇮🇪. An encompassing world where there is peace beyond the borders of racial and tribal segregation!

~ Mujaheed Yusuff

I would like to see a world where there is no pain, no suffering, no rape, no robbery, no kidnapping, no Human trafficking, no worries…no fear. A world with more of God. A world where everyone matters, a world where  children don’t cry…A happy and peaceful world is what I would like to see.

~ Tolulope Abimbola

The world I want to see is one where everyone know their worth and understand they are a big part of the puzzle.

~ Tosin Ogunsanya

I would like to see a world where everyone has access to quality education and good standard of living.

~ Samuel Osho

I’d like to see a world void of oppression. A world where no one is looked down upon. A world where everyone treats everyone well. I’d like to see a world where no one is poor. A world where everyone is comfortable and has access to the basic needs of life.

~ Damilola Akinbowale

The world I want to see is one with less corrupt systems.

~ Laolu Korede

I would like to see a world where there is individual freedom and where every person has the opportunity to achieve their maximum potential.

~ John Shivisi

A world where no one is left behind, where no man is oppressed, where inequality and child’s exploitation have no place. This is my dream world.

~ Roland Aiwone

I would like to see a world where we treat each other with love and care.
A happy world,
A quiet world,
A beautiful world,
A world that doesn’t differentiate rich from poor.
A true world,
A holy world,
A bloodless world,
A world where the leader serve their people
A world without no suffering and pain.
A world full of shining colours everywhere,
A world fully dedicated to love,
A world knows only the way of humanity
A world which starts its day with a smile,
A world which ends its days with a thanks to the Almighty,
A world which sleeps at night in a tuneful song,
A world where there is no gender crime
A world where all children can go to school and be successful together irrespective of our status,tribe and ethnics.
A world where everyone opinion can be respected.
A beautiful world for us all!!!

~ Segun Okeowo

I would like to see a world where everyone’s opinions count. And no one is shouted down. A world where everyone truly has a voice.

~ Blessing Uwisike

I would like to see a world where the rights of children are mostly prioritized at all spheres of a society.

~ Salomy Fombe

I want a world where the facts that we were raised from different backgrounds, by different parents and with different manners are recognised.

~ Joy Adebiyi

I would like to see a world where Love reigns fully.

~ Pemi Lawal

I would love to see a world where everyone’s rights are respected. Where education is respected as fundamental and access to such provided. Where children are eager to learn and reading culture improved. Where corruption and loss of lives is no more a norm. Where people no longer seek death as an escape route due to harshness of things. Basically, a world where love and peace reigns.

~ Ujunwa Umeokeke

I want  world where  girls are not held back from reaching their full potential: either by themselves, their families or their communities. A world in which girls can stay in school, get access to health services, get married and have children when they choose, realise their economic potential and their dreams: because they demand it and because the others in their lives demand it, for them too. I just want everyone to know that education is the only solution to a better life for us all. We must never forget that an educated mother will
result in a healthy, educated and prosperous family.

~ Jennifer Umeh

I want a world where no one is distinguished based on race,colour or sex.

~ Opeyemi Abujade

I would love to see a world where boys are encouraged to stay true to their potentials.

~ Arthur Isaac

I dream of a world where every individual can learn to love and embrace their uniqueness.

~ Rapheal King

I want a world where girls and boys have equal access to education and opportunities.

~ Victoria Ibiwoye

Today, we celebrate our volunteers and the sacrifices they make daily to transform their communities. We also consider their declarations as essential for peace and stability in our world.

Happy World Humanitarian Day from OneAfricanChild Foundation! 

Ikorodu Oral Hygiene Project

Our teeth are some of the most important tools in our body. Not only are they useful for biting, cutting, chewing and grinding food items, but are also important for the proper articulation of speech and for showing our happiness to the world, through smiles.
Therefore, it bears repeating, as many times as possible, that the teeth should be properly maintained to avoid decay and other ailments like aches and cavities.

The above is the summary of the message the One African Child Foundation, in partnership with Love Out Loud Africa, took to the city of Ikorodu on Saturday, the 23rd of July, 2016, in a programme tagged: The Oral Hygiene Project. The project which was held at Butterfly Estate, Agric, Ikorodu, Lagos, had about 35 children, between the ages of 4 and 13, in attendance.

The Programme featured talks on general hygiene and dental hygiene. There were also video shows on the proper way to brush and the need to maintain good hygiene, games, question and answer session, evaluation, presentation of gifts and photographs. The different sessions were facilitated by volunteers with the training manual developed by Love Out Loud Africa.

The talk on Dental Hygiene explained to the children the need to keep their teeth in good condition by brushing regularly and avoiding excessive intake of foods that could damage them. The different types of teeth (molars, premolars, incisors and canines) and their functions were explained to the children. The talk on General Hygiene, on the other hand, encouraged the children to maintain good personal hygiene by washing their hands and having their baths regularly. They were also encouraged to be good ambassadors of their environments by disposing dirt properly and picking up those left behind by others, when they can.

To further drive home the points elucidated in the talk, there were video shows on how to properly take care of the teeth. Afterwards, there was a quiz competition which served as an energizer for the children.

The programme ended with the distribution of toothpastes and toothbrushes to the children and an evaluation of the programme. In the course of the evaluation, many of the children expressed feelings of joy at being participants in the programme. Isibor Blessing said she learnt a lot about personal hygiene and how important it is to take good care of oneself. Emmanuel Nwachukwu said he enjoyed the game on States and Capitals and he learnt the importance of keeping the environment clean. When asked to state what they will do differently henceforth, Zakari Jemilat said she will try to pass on the knowledge she acquired to other children while Obidike Blessing said she will encourage her parents to take her to see a dentist.

The Dental Hygiene Project which the One African Chid Organization organized with financial support from Love out Loud Africa, is another step towards the actualization of both organizations’ dreams to see healthy and empowered African children who will be at the vanguard in the quest to raise Africa to greater heights.

One African Child and Love out Loud Africa thank the many volunteers who, through their devotion and labour of love, made the event a success. Volunteers everywhere are encouraged to keep shining the light in their different domains by being proactive in solving societal challenges.

Mukuru Rehabilitation Center: OAC Kenya Trains Former Street Children on Self-Awareness

We are excited to share the success of our first project at Mary Immaculate Rehabilitation Centre, also known as Mukuru Rehabilitation Center.

The home was established in 1995 for the many children who were wandering and living on the streets of the adjacent industrial area. It caters for up to 57 boys of ages between 9 and 15 years, who participate in a one year long program. The center conducts non-formal primary teaching for those whom it is appropriate, and carpentry and art for the older boys. After lunch they engage in extra curricula activities such as art, music, football, gardening, scouting and some craft work. Tackling the habit of substance abuse is a challenge for most of the boys in the program. Group and individual counselling is an integral part of the program and is carried out on a very regular basis. The program aims to re-integrate the boys to their family where possible, or to a meaningful life off the streets, in boarding school or in employment.

Our objective was to build the children’s identity, increase their self-confidence and inspire them to be better individuals in life. The general goal was to teach the children about being aware of their own personality including their feelings, strengths, weaknesses, thoughts and beliefs; and to help them have a better understanding of themselves and those around them. This was to enable them build their self-esteem and have a better personal identity.

Lessons on self-awareness and self-regulation were drawn from our Education for Sustainable Development Curriculum, facilitated by our volunteers.

With regards to the objectives, 57 children were trained from the curriculum which enhanced experiencial learning as students were engaged on critical thinking and mind engaging games. Also, the students were inspired to become better and active citizens and to aid in the development of the society. The training session successfully applied Global Citizenship Education which is about preparing students to tackle societal challenges through critical thinking, without fear, and to be aware of themselves and others.

There was a positive feedback both from the students and the OAC volunteers. Most of the students enjoyed the sessions and wanted the volunteers to make another visit to their school.

Stephen Mulwa , a 15 year old boy had this to say:

“The project was good and I learnt the importance of teamwork, I also learnt how to work together with other students to help each other and lastly, I learnt that we should always cooperate to make our work easier.”

“I learnt the value of self-awareness and its importance in my future life.”
said John Kihara, a 12 year old student of the school.

Feedback from other students:

“I enjoyed most of the lessons and activities that we were taught and I felt very excited and creative while doing the project”.

“My friends and I are very happy that our visitors came to our school today. I was able to build a house using a newspaper and my team won the competition and we were given a packet of sweets”.

“I built a house using newspaper although it was difficult at the beginning, we managed to make it stand. I was able to practice teamwork.
The building of the house using newspaper was fun but I did not like the fact that our team lost in the competition and so we were not given sweets”.

Feedback from our facilitators:

“I got a better understanding of the children’s psychology and I will use the lessons learnt in my place of work.” ~ John Shivisi

“I have discovered that the kids are ready to do what they are instructed to do as long as the instructions are given and understood.” ~ Jeffrey Kosgei

“I have learnt a lot from fellow volunteers and the kids as well. I enjoyed myself, working with the children and it gave me a satisfactory feeling of giving back to the community.” ~ Brian Juma

“I discovered that the children have great talents and skills such as rapping, drawing and even playing football.” ~ Korine Nereah

“I have learnt how special the children are and how fortunate I am to be able to create an impact in their lives.” ~ Agatha Wanzala

Our heartfelt gratitude goes to the adminstration of the school who have granted us this unique opportunity to reach out to the students. Also, to our volunteers for a job well done!

RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD; THE BIRTHRIGHT OF EVERY CHILD by Ezekiel Adewale Fatomilola

Femi, the first child of Raymond and Dorcas(Mr and Mrs Daniels) stood in the doorway, watched his parents act drama. His eyes couldn’t leave the two faces as he observed with innocence the people he loved most tore each other apart . The last child of the Union, Anuoluwapo fell to the ground with the shock that took over the woman when she sighted her husband with machete. He rolled on the floor, cried at intervals and clutched the toy in one hand and drew the hem of the mother’s gown with the other hand. The only comfort he received was the shedding of combination of blood and tears from the mother’s battered face. Of course, he didn’t have an idea of the ongoing incident.

Many theories have been advanced to explain the poor state of our nations’ children; child care,absence of both parents, instilling of societal values and eventual output of the child on his or her generation. A factor that has been largely ignored, however, particularly among child and family policymakers, is the prevalence and devastating effects of single or no parents’ presence in children’s lives.
The sad fact is that parents in our society are not supported in the fulfillment of their parental responsibilities, and divorced parents in particular often undermined their responsibilities as parents, and this has reflected in the large numbers of “non- custodial” or “non-residential” parents and of course forcefully removed from their children’s lives, as daily caregivers.
My target of concern is how these lads can enjoy to the fullest Responsible parenthood (Their birthright)from the two people who birthed them and not caregivers .

Have you ever wondered who birthed the toddlers you see selling in holdups? Does it tear your heart apart about the sexual abuse of children of age 5,6 and above in the slum? How about those 4 years old orphans who are house maids? Who do you think made those children who are supposed to be in school learning to be on the streets hawking? No one and nothing else caused these but evasiness of responsibilities by those who birthed them.
One cannot therefore, but ask the pertinent questions: Why are these helpless children out of school, if their parents really cared about their educational development and ultimately their future? Why bring them to an increasingly complex world when they have little or nothing to care to them? Does it not amount to sheer wickedness added to folly that a grown up man would keep breeding more children than he and his wife could adequately cater to, erroneously believing that God would send manna from heaven to feed them?

I think the answer to these rhetorics is that the ever increasing number of children without Fathers and mothers today is due to nothing but the nauseating domination of boys and girls instead of men and women. They had no time to watch their wards grow; to sexually produce them is even easier than ABC.

But is there catholicon to this obnoxious state? Of course there are but before then let’s see the effect of irresponsible parenthood on these children.

Everyday families die globally, some due to infidelity, some workaholism, and others personality clashes. Unfortunately some of these things were in establishment even prior to the oath taking on the altar. While the demand for urgent intervention is high in families with this instability, there is grave concern for rescuing of courtship without focus and relationships without directions among the Unmarried because the consequences are porous if not deadly. For instance, Demo and Acock in 1991 reported that in mother-only families, children tend to experience short-term and long-term economic and psychological disadvantages; higher absentee rates at school, lower levels of education, and higher dropout rates (with boys more negatively affected than girls); and more delinquent activity, including alcohol and drug addiction. Adolescents on the other hand, are more negatively affected by parental discord prior to divorce than by living in single-parent families and actually gain in responsibility as a result of altered family routines. Children in single-mother homes are also more likely to experience health-related problems as a result of the decline in their living standard, including the lack of health insurance according to Mauldin in the year 1990. Also as these children from single-parent families become adults, they are more likely to marry early, have children early, and divorce. These of course are evident among nowadays youth. Girls are at greater risk of becoming single mothers as a result of non-marital childbearing or divorce.

All these psychological implications pose more threats in other areas of lives of the children. For instance, the child develops sense of insecurity, lack of life skills, lack of complete moral upbringing, deprivation of love, sense of mistrust and inferiority.Some wards don’t have a situation of an absent parents, while others share in disadvantages of the excessive reproduction of their parents with little or nothing to cater to them.

Then what is the panacea?
Anyone who looks for marriage must have a degree of maturity. By knowing before-hand that marriage comes with storm and understanding those things that bring marital satisfaction and family oneness. Some have gone out of their way to remain in the marriage unhappy, despite different episodes of physical abuse and yet still move on in the marriage.
There is no doubt that this awareness of some specific factors according to which people could forecast the success or failure of their marriage will help them take notice of their usefulness, in order to achieve a greater level of adjustment. It is true that no one marries with the intention of failing, but the secret of a successful marriage does not lie in luck and there are some basic consideration for each of the spouses.
Marriage, like any social system requires a variety of preparations, such as the ability of the person to be responsible so as to deliver the incredible and achieve the unachievable marital success in order to avoid birthing further handicapping situations.

After all has been said, is there really a catholicon to this scourge? Yes! And this is centered round the parents, since the choice of bringing forth a hero is from them. Below is the suggested way out:

As responsible parents, here are just few things you must know, adhere to and put in place.
1. You must bring your children up in the ways of the Lord.
2. You must give the qualitative education up to university level at least to them.
3. You must provide them all the basic human needs such as food, clothes, shelter, care, advice, money etc. Up to university level and beyond.
4. You must follow them up educationally even as they decide what career to pursue.
5. You must help them choose a career, friend and husband but must never impose any of these on them.
6. You must be their closest friend and best adviser.
7. You must be their role models. They should be proud of you as parents and tend to live their lives the way you lived yours although in an improved form.
8. You must allow them their privacy but proper supervision so that it won’t be abused.

As a parent or potential parent, you might find yourself in the trap of doing otherwise but please try and take cognizance of the above mentioned and try as much as you can to do them.

Finally ,I call on policies makers,and the stakeholders in the family and marriage institutions that devalue the importance of parents in children’s lives, and parental involvement as critical to children’s well-being. Children need both parents, and parents need the support of social institutions in regard to being there for their kids. Happy 2016 Children’s day!!! #OneAfricanChild cares

This is an inspiration from the Holy Sprit through Ezekiel Adewale Fatomilola,campaign manager at FFD Nation, an NGO concerned with helping orphans, fatherless, Motherless, IDPS become useful in the society and deliver the incredible as they simultaneously achieve the unachievable.
Ezekiel is clamouring for societal repositoning through the resurrection of the family institution. …(07066444111 / easycare77@gmail.com)

Training on Self Awareness at Collège d’Enseignement Général de Vèdoko, Benin Republic

We are super excited to announce our first training session at Collège d’Enseignement Général in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

This is to implement the Education for Sustainable Development curriculum developed by organisation to prepare children for a sustaining world. The new curriculum covers training modules on Global Citizenship Education and Peacebuilding. It also includes exciting experiential activities aimed at making learning creative and transformative for our target groups.

The two hour training session on Self Awareness was able to take the learners on a reflective journey, starting with an awareness of their identities, passions, preconceptions and limitations. We believe strongly that leadership education should begin with knowledge and understanding of self as this is important to make important choices in life and to become proactive change agents in the society.

We are grateful to the Educate Children Foundation, a local organisation working to promote quality learning through the use of Information Technology for their assistance in locating the school we visited and for their active participation throughout the training process.

Enhancing Life Skills Through Sport for Children and Youth

As said by Jacques Rogge, former president of the International Olympic Committee, “The world of sport is not separate from the rest of the world. Sport breaks down barriers, promotes self-esteem, and can teach life skills and healthy behavour.”

Celebrating the International Day of Sports for Development and Peace with Members of Commonwealth Youth in Nigeria.

At OneAfricanChild Foundation for Creative Learning, we believe that through sports, children and youth learn values and skills that will serve them well as they prepare for the rest of their lives. These life skills must be transferred to learners as early as possible in order to make them proactive and valuable to the society.

On the International Day for Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) organised by the Commonwealth Youth Sport for Development and Peace Working Group, OneAfricanChild Foundation, represented by Ms. Victoria Ibiwoye, facilitated a working group discussion on Enhancing Life Skills Through Sport for Children and Youth.

Life skills are those skills that enable individuals to succeed in the different environments in which they live, such as in school, home and in their neighborhoods. These skills can be Physical for example, throwing a ball or jumping roles. It can also be Behavioral for examples, effective communication  with peers and adults or respect or cultural and religious difference. It can Cognitive, for example, making effective decisions.

Some important life skills which sports can teach  us include: dealing with difficult situations in life, building self confidence, learning to make sacrifices, learning to work as a team, learning discipline, making good choices and much more. Sports can also build children to become proactive leaders, addressing real-world problems with their critical thinking and problem solving skills. These life skills are important to ensuring peace coexistence and prosperity in the world.

One must note that it is not the physical activity itself that transfers life skills but the application of the principles learned through participation to other areas. Thus, engaging in sports can enhance leadership competencies and promote human capacity development throughout the life span of the learner because of the application of lessons learnt to life situations. For  such transfer to take  place, it is necessary to help children recognize and apply important skills  that  they have acquired through sport  in other life areas.

In Nigeria, sport needs some high-level advocacy. We must help people, especially parents see that it is not a waste of time. Beyond taking on sports as a professional career, it can also play important roles in the live of children and youth, preparing them to be active and responsible citizens.

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“Champions aren’t made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them — a desire, a dream, a vision.”
-Muhammad Ali (World HeavyWeight Champion Boxer)

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

If you are passionate about community work, you have the drive to seek change in your community and you are ready to learn new leadership skills via volunteering, then OneAfricanChild Foundation may just be the right place for you.

Distance is not a barrier, we have about 120 volunteers in four different African countries who are doing amazing works and taking their place in their respective communities as change makers.

OneAfricanChild Foundation exists to train young people on Global Citizenship Education and Peace building so that they can grow to become active agents of change in the society. Through our empowerment programs, we ensure the sustainability of the leadership experience necessary for our beneficiaries to partake in the transformation of their communities and the world.

Mission Statement:

Our mission is to educate and empower young people with knowledge and skills necessary to address socio-economic issues and to contribute to positive change in Africa and beyond.

Eligibility requirements:

We are looking for committed volunteers who will dedicate a substantial amount of time towards our online and field projects.

Volunteers must be willing to learn and share their leadership experience with the communities we work with.

Volunteers must be responsible citizens. They must act at all times in the best interest of the organisation.

The banner of Hope.

You can follow the link below to fill the Volunteer’s form; it can be done in less than five minutes.

http://goo.gl/forms/lVutKh0o2P

Make use of this golden opportunity to broaden your horizon and add to your skills set.

WE CAN CREATE THE WORLD WE DREAM OF

Habeeb is one of the founding members of One African Child when it was established in the largest town in West Africa, Ibadan. This is a successful attempt to share his success story since he graduated from the University of Ibadan (UI). Habeeb is a change maker and we are so proud of his lofty achievements.

I don’t know if I am in the best position to write this, as I still have some way to go regarding entrepreneurship. But I have been asked to share part of my story so far;

About 9 years ago when I was in SS2, I created TISA. I wanted a collection of young minds who were going to explore the world with me and create new stuffs. There was this general saying that Africans don’t make stuffs, that they only consume. I wanted to change that narrative and reach young minds who were willing to innovate and who could teach others too to innovate. We could create the world we dream of or we could keep on talking about it. The meaning of TISA was The Indomitable Super Achievers (lol… wherever that came from). My friend designed a logo and I printed forms. When I went to photocopy it at a local business centre, the woman looked through the form and was impressed. I told her about the project and she liked it. She asked about my school and said she would send her child there. I don’t know if she ever did. However, I was unable to move it forward as I wanted to.

I revisited TISA in my second year at University of Ibadan. With the help of some other friends, we developed Geniuses, a quiz competition modelled to help students solve real life problems. We also successfully made a visitation to a public secondary school where we held a short talk admonishing the students to innovate and choose careers that make them happy. We also donated books to their library.

Geniuses failed on the brink of success. We had made some excusable mistakes, much due to our naivety. But it was a great adventure after-all. However, as part of our failed bid to Google, we were to develop an app for Geniuses. From our failed bid, one of the team members felt we could work on the app independently, and he went on to create a new tech company which I am happy to be part of. There, we’re helping students learn better with the aid of technology. (www.geniusesng.com).

I tried again in 400L to make TISA work, but we were not really successful yet again. Our administrative structure did not really support our growth. So I took a pause on it and moved to concentrate on other things while I hope to get back to it later on.

In its stead, I created Market Ibadan Business Festival and with the help of IvoryConnect and a host of friends, we were able to do our first event during my final year. We were supported by several organizations such as CocaCola, Diamond Bank, One African Child, Shyld Initiative, so on. MIBF was created to bring together small, medium and large scale companies together to help facilitate economic growth in the country. We wanted to bring the world down to the city of Ibadan to witness the diversity and brilliance of our culture, commerce, craft and community.

We tried to do a second edition in 2015 but we failed. Our core team had scattered over the country for one important reason or the other. We hope to be back on this soon.

I’m currently serving in Umuahia. I teach English Language and Physics at a village school in Afugiri. It also brought me closer to the challenges rural farmers face over planting seasons. I immediately started working on solving these challenges so I could make them happy. So I remodelled TISA and started tísà- an agricultural care venture with the vision of helping farmers gain better return for investment and to also cautiously diversify the nation’s economy.

I applied for the British Council Enterprise Challenge and out of over 10,000 initiated applications, my startup was among the 20 that made it to the finals of the competition. It was a great boost, especially in morale.

The vision of tisa is to help farmers, most especially rural farmers, gain better return on investment. In Afugiri, I witness how much farmers put into farming. The end result is not usually favourable. With so much investment, in time, energy and finance, farmers usually get very little in return. Lots of their farm produce get wasted due to lack of storage and processing facilities, and middle men make off more gain than they do on the rest of the produce. I decided to visit the head of the female farmers in Afugiri and she poured out her heart to me. Each year presented tougher challenges to them. She was very frustrated. She invited me to meet with other women farmers during their townhall meeting. Sadly, I wasn’t able to do so, as I was in Lagos for the British Council Enterprise Challenge finals. I don’t know how, but I felt I could help farmers quench their frustration, and make them happy again.

Training my lenses on agriculture in tertiary institutions, several of the people who could help farmers either don’t practice agriculture after graduating or are simply jobless. With tisa, we can create more jobs in the agricultural sector and grow collaboratively to rebase Nigeria’s economic structure.  While I don’t support bad governance, I think young people should focus more on helping the country rather than feel the country owes them something.  There is a lot we can do together.

At the bootcamp, I learnt a lot more on entrepreneurship and lessons on navigating startups for success, especially in the areas of strategies, branding, finance and accounting, and sales and marketing. I also got to meet other entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs who were either starting or already making great progress in their fields. The experience at the bootcamp is helping me remodel tisa to solve the agriculture problem, and I am committed to making this change in the agricultural sector and change the way Nigerians farm. I also hope to partner with other colleagues who are working on agriculture.

Being an entrepreneur is never easy, whether in new fields or in the face of crushing competition. You first have to make the bold decision of forgoing the more convenient path of being an employee or being self-employed. I’ve committed a good chunk of my years to learning. But the most important part is actually learning by doing. Trying and retrying until things come together. Never hesitating nor relenting. We can’t move forward if we’re afraid to fail or make mistakes. If you’re not getting pushed back, you’re not pioneering. And we are what we repeatedly do, excellence is not an act but a habit. I have learnt a lot from my involvement in CrystalSpot, One African Child, StrictlyUI, Indypress, Swaliafrica, LLH, MIBF, MSSN UI, UITESWRITE, myschoolpodcast and a host of others. Volunteering has helped me a lot too. It helps to learn in real time and face real life challenges.

I’ve always wanted to be many things in life, a writer, an engineer, an entrepreneur, a football coach and so on. But then, in the end, I just want to help a lot of people. I want to help solve some of the world’s problems and put smiles on the faces of many people. It’s not going to be easy, but I hope to have fun doing it. And hope to have more friends who understand, have similar drives, and are willing to make that journey with me.

I am not where I hope to be, yet I am grateful that I have moved from where I used to be. I am also thankful to my family and friends who have been very supportive. I hope to make the most of life’s experiences and choose to see opportunities in challenges.

I have met awesome and inspiring people, I hope to meet more. One thing I have learnt is that, dreams do come true, if we have the will to pursue it. So; dream, dare, explore, do something, keep moving, don’t stop believing, never hesitate and never relent. Life begins when you step out of your comfort zone.

Habeeb Kolade

#EveryoneHasAStoryToTell

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Celebrating International Women’s Day 2016

More than ever,  women continue to contribute to social and economic development of their communities. How much more preparing our girls early to be the best for themselves,  their community and the society at large?

OneAfricanChild Foundation is committed to training and creating opportunities for girls to learn and be included in social transformation. We believe in training a girl child to influence a nation positively.

Life starts with the smile of a woman, grows with the care and Love of a woman, gains experience through the passion of a woman, shelters hope thanks to a woman, and owes a woman Beauty and Peace.

There is always a small voice, inside each of us, telling we are wonders and treasures; that undying harmony, turning differences into diversity and teaching us the night is a sweet step to the dawn, is the breath of a woman ~ René Ndebi (OAC Cameroon)

Today we celebrate girls and women from across the globe. Happy International Women’s Day!!!