In the serene but isolated community of Ojogun, Rebecca serves as a beacon of hope and knowledge. As a dedicated community teacher at Our Lady of Apostles Primary School, she plays a vital role in shaping the minds of the young children in this rural community. However, the challenges she faces daily highlight the urgent need for infrastructure improvements in Ojogun.

Ojogun is situated away from the hustle and bustle of Badagry town, accessible only by a 45-minute boat ride costing 700 Naira one-way per person. This mode of transport is not only time-consuming but also expensive for the residents, who primarily rely on farming for their livelihood. The community voted during a needs assessment to prioritize the construction of an access road over other essential services such as electricity, a hospital, and additional schools. Their reasoning is clear: an access road would change their daily lives and economic opportunities.

Currently, there is a collapsed bridge and a severely degraded road that, if repaired, could allow vehicles to reach Ojogun in just 10 minutes. For the farmers, this road would mean the difference between costly and cumbersome boat rides and quick, efficient access to central markets where they can sell their produce. The current situation forces them to hire speedboats to transport their harvests across the river, followed by additional vehicle hire to reach the market, significantly eating into their profits and making the process laborious and expensive.

In addition to teaching on weekdays, Rebecca works as a hairdresser on weekends. She travels to Badagry town to style hair, earning extra income to support herself and her family. However, she faces the challenge of high boat ride transportation costs. Rebecca dreams of a future where she and her community can easily access Ojogun, providing a cheaper and more affordable alternative to the expensive boat rides.

Rebecca’s story is a powerful testament to the resilience and determination of the Ojogun community. The construction of a functional access road is not just about convenience; it is about transforming lives. It will enable farmers to transport their goods efficiently, increase their income, and boost the local economy. It will ensure that teachers can reliably reach the school, providing the children of Ojogun with the education they deserve.

In the heart of Yekeme Community lives a resilient young boy named Gabriel. At just 13 years old, Gabriel has faced more hardships than many endure in a lifetime. He lost his mother when he was only one, and two years later, his father passed away as well. His father’s sister, his loving aunt, took him in, but tragedy struck again when she passed away when Gabriel was just six. For the past seven years, Gabriel has been living with his uncle, his father’s brother, who has provided him with the stability and care he so desperately needed.

Gabriel is currently in Primary 4, a testament to his perseverance and determination. Despite the challenges life has thrown at him, he remains steadfast in his pursuit of education. But Gabriel’s journey to school is fraught with difficulties that would daunt even the strongest of adults.

In a recent needs assessment conducted in Yekeme Community, the residents prioritized their needs as electricity, followed by a school, then a hospital, and lastly an access road. Gabriel’s voice was among those who participated in the vote. For him, a school in the community was the most critical need. Every day, Gabriel embarks on a one-hour trek to reach his school. By the time he arrives, he is often exhausted, and the journey back home after a full day of learning leaves him utterly drained.

The road Gabriel walks is not just long; it is also treacherous. When it rains, the path becomes flooded, turning his daily commute into a perilous journey. On such days, Gabriel must wade through water to return home if he’s already at school or miss school entirely if the rains catch him at home. Despite these daunting obstacles, Gabriel remains unwavering in his commitment to his education.

Gabriel dreams of a day when there will be a school within Yekeme Community, sparing him and countless other children the tough daily journey. His second wish is for a proper access road, so the path to education is safer and more reliable, regardless of the weather. Gabriel’s resilience and hope for a better future are inspiring. His strength in the face of adversity is a powerful reminder of the importance of community support and infrastructure.

Together, we can make Gabriel’s dreams a reality, providing him with the tools and environment he needs to succeed. Join us in supporting Gabriel and the Yekeme Community. Your generosity can light the path to a brighter, more hopeful future for Gabriel and his peers. With your help, we can turn every step of Gabriel’s journey into a stride toward success and happiness.

In the vibrant community of Pashi, nestled within the Badagry LGA, lives a remarkable woman named Dorcas Dansu. A determined and enterprising businesswoman, Dorcas owns a small shop where she sells drinks, household provisions, and groceries. Her shop, brimming with essentials, serves as a lifeline for many in her community. Yet, beneath her warm smile and unwavering dedication lies a story of struggle, resilience, and the enduring human spirit.

Dorcas’s journey has not been an easy one. In a community assessment conducted recently, the residents of Pashi unanimously agreed on their most pressing needs: electricity, an access road, a health center, and a school. Electricity topped this list, underscoring a challenge that Dorcas faces every day—operating her business without a reliable power source.

Without electricity, Dorcas had to rely on a small generator to keep her shop running. The constant need to buy fuel has drained her limited profits, with the recent surge in petrol prices further crippling her finances. The high cost of fuel eats into her income, leaving little for her family’s needs and threatening the sustainability of her business.

The lack of electricity not only affects Dorcas’s business but also disrupts the lives of her entire family. The extreme heat at night makes it nearly impossible for them to sleep well, leading to restless nights and fatigue-filled days. This shared hardship extends to the whole community, where the absence of electricity has become a daily battle.

For Dorcas, the challenges don’t end with the setting sun. As darkness falls, she must close her shop early due to security concerns and the impracticality of operating in pitch-black conditions. Every early closure represents lost sales and missed opportunities, further straining her already tight budget. Despite these hardships, Dorcas’s spirit remains unbroken. She is a beacon of resilience in Pashi, embodying the strength and determination of a community striving for a better future. Dorcas continues to serve her customers with dedication, finding creative ways to keep her business afloat. Her ability to adapt and persevere in the face of adversity is nothing short of inspiring.

Dorcas’s story is not just about her struggle; it is about her unwavering hope and her commitment to her community. She dreams of a day when Pashi will have reliable electricity, when her children can sleep peacefully at night, and when she can keep her shop open late into the evening without fear.
Dorcas Dansu’s journey highlights a critical need for change in Pashi. To transform her dream into reality and empower resilient individuals like Dorcas to continue building a brighter future.