GIVING FINANCIAL SECURITY TO THE SOCIETALLY NEGLECTED

 

It is common knowledge that we are irrepressibly dedicated to wiping out tears from the faces of the Street children (who are  subjected to untold hardship occassioned by neglect) through our various programes. No wonder we remain indelible on the hearts of our teeming supporters.      

"You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay." John Bunyan.                                                

Taking the above as a catalyst, the staffs of Global Support for Kids Initiative swung into action on 12th August 2020 as early as 08:30am. As the day’s schedule,we intentionally devoted quality time  for the street children. It was an empowerment program passionately designed to teach the kids how to make liquid soap with the aim of helping them to earn money for themselves.  It was a calculated effort to step up the rescue campaign by  teaching them how to catch fish rather than just  giving them fish.

The children were not only made to recognize by name, each of the reactant (chemicals to be mixed), but also shown how to purchase them -  with the current price. It is gladdening to know at this juncture, that with just #3,000 ($7:90) as start-up capital, the liquid soap business can fetch #10,000 ($26.32) for each child. One does not thus need the service of a prophet to be told that a diligent child can make tens of thousands with minimal capital.  How happy will such a child be - to be at par with his privileged peers?

With ignorance, being  said not to be an escape for punishment, certain period was dedicated specifically to educating them on the hazards chemical generally can pose if not properly handled-with particular emphasis on the ones directly involved in making the soap. They were also made to understand that drugs - being made of chemicals- were harmful when abused.

In line with the position of a 17th century English clergyman ,Thomas Fuller "Seing is believing...";the soap was made in the pretence of the children. This in essence is the hallmark of the practical training session. Of course it was an impacting attempt.

Not only the children (who were the primary beneficiaries) but also other people within the vicinity of the venue were given some quantity of the liquid soap, upon completing the production process.

 

Statistics has proven that countless children are left on the streets to grapple with hunger, rejection, stigmatization, depression as well as all sorts of hazards. The cumulative consequence is thewanton  loss of lives and properly arising from social unrest that has permeated our society in recent times.

It suffices to, at this juncture therefore, passionately encourage our ever - increasing, honoured and kind – hearted supporters to rise bravely to join us in  the rescue war to deliver  the street children from the destructive claws of abandonment with the words of  Anne Dooley " If you succeed in enabling one soul in darkness to find the Light, one troubled, wearied individual to gain strength, if you comfort one mourner, if you heal one sick person, if you prevent exploitation of and cruelty, even to one animal, then indeed your earthly life has been well worth living... This is the greatest of all fights, the eternal war against materialism, selfishness, these deadly diseases that are festering in your world today and lead so many on to foolish paths where they perish in the darkness without a realisation of the purpose for which they were born into the world."   

Opeyemi Olajide Olowookere

President/ Executive Director,

Global Support for Kids Initiative

www.gskinitiative.org