23/02/2024
A book in review Titled: "How to Eliminate poverty in Nigeria" by Melaba, Linus Shagbaor. A scholastic of Spiritan School of Philosophy Isienu-Nsukka, Enugu state, Nigeria.
Chapter One
It was a hot, humid day in Lagos, and the streets were filled with the sounds of cars honking and people hawking their wares. I was walking down the street, dodging potholes and beggars, when I saw something that stopped me in my tracks. A young child, no more than five years old, was sitting on the sidewalk, her face dirty and her clothes tattered. She held out a cup, asking for money, and her eyes were filled with a mixture of hope and despair. I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do. Should I give her money, or would that just perpetuate the cycle of poverty?
As I stood there, pondering my options, a man came up behind me and tapped me on the shoulder. I turned to see a tall, well-dressed man with a kind smile. He looked at the child and then at me, and said, "Do you want to help her?" I hesitated, not knowing what to say. The man continued, "It's not just about giving her money. It's about giving her hope." His words struck a chord, and I realized he was right. I reached into my pocket and pulled out some naira, handing it to the child. She looked up at me
Her eyes lit up, and she gave me a shy smile. "Thank you, thank you!" she said, clutching the money in her hand. I smiled back, and the man next to me nodded approvingly. I knew that this small act of kindness wouldn't change the world, but it might just make a difference in this child's life. I walked away, feeling a sense of satisfaction and hope.
As I walked, I began to notice more and more people in need, and I felt a growing sense of responsibility. What else could I do to help? I decided to make it my mission to find a way to make a difference in the lives of the people around me. I began to research organizations that were working to improve the lives of the poor and disadvantaged in Nigeria, and I decided to volunteer my time. I knew it would be a long and difficult journey, but I felt that it was a worthwhile cause. And so, my journey began.
The first organization I worked with was a local food bank that served meals to the homeless and hungry in Lagos. I started out as a kitchen helper, chopping vegetables and preparing food. As I got to know the other volunteers, I realized that many of them were just like me - people who wanted to make a difference in the world. They were from all walks of life, and they all had different reasons for being there. But we all shared a common goal - to help those in need.
As I continued to volunteer at the food bank, I began to learn more about the organization and the people it served. I learned about the challenges they faced, from lack of access to education and healthcare to violence and crime. But I also saw the resilience and strength of the people I was helping. And it was then that I began to understand the true power of service - not just in terms of the practical assistance it provides, but also in the way it transforms our own lives.
Over time, I began to feel a deep sense of connection to the people I was helping. And it was in that moment of connection that I realized something important - that helping others is not just about giving, it's also about receiving. As I gave of myself, I received something in return - a sense of meaning and purpose, a connection to something greater than myself. And that feeling, more than anything else, is what kept me coming back, day after day.
Eventually, I decided to take my volunteer work to the next level. I started to think about how I could use my skills and resources to have a more lasting impact on the lives of others. I began to research organizations that were working to address the root causes of poverty, and I found one that was focused on education. I started volunteering with them, and I quickly realized that this was the work I was meant to do.
The organization I was working with was focused on providing quality education to children in low-income communities. They believed that education was the key to breaking the cycle of poverty, and they were working hard to make that a reality. I began volunteering as a tutor, working with children after school to help them with their homework and improve their reading and math skills. It was challenging work, but it was also incredibly rewarding. I felt like I was truly making a difference in the lives of these children.
One of the children I was working with was a young girl named Amina. Amina came from a poor family, and she had never had the opportunity to go to school before. But she was eager to learn, and she worked hard at her lessons. As I got to know her, I realized that she had a special gift - she was a talented artist. Amina loved to draw and paint, and her work was full of life and color. I began to help her develop her talent, providing her with art supplies and encouragement.
Over time, I saw a change in Amina. She became more confident and self-assured, and her grades began to improve. But perhaps the most remarkable change was in her art. Her paintings became more and more sophisticated, and she began to explore new techniques and styles. I could see that art was giving her a voice and an outlet for her emotions. I realized that I was not only helping her to succeed academically, but I was also giving her a way to express herself and find joy in her life.
One day, Amina approached me with a request. She wanted to enter a local art competition, but she didn't have the money to pay the entry fee. I knew that the cost of the fee was a barrier for many children in the community, so I decided to do something about it. I reached out to a few local businesses and asked them to sponsor the entry fees for the children in the community. Many of them agreed, and soon the children were able to participate in the competition without worrying about the cost.
The day of the competition arrived, and Amina was nervous but excited. She had worked hard on her painting, and she hoped that it would do well. I was there to support her, along with her family and friends. As the judges went through the entries, I could feel the tension in the air. Finally, they announced the winners, and Amina's name was called! She had won first place in her age group! She was so happy, and she ran to hug me, her face beaming with pride.
Amina's win was a turning point for her. Suddenly, she was receiving attention and recognition for her talent. Local businesses began to commission her to create murals and paintings, and she even received an offer to study art at a prestigious school. I couldn't have been prouder of her. And I realized that this was just the beginning - there were so many other children in the community who were just as talented and deserving of opportunities. I decided to make it my mission to help them achieve their dreams, just as I had helped Amina.
Over the next few years, I worked with the community to establish an art scholarship fund. The fund provided financial support for children who wanted to pursue art, and it also provided art supplies and workshops to help them develop their skills. Many of the children who benefited from the fund went on to become successful artists, and some even became teachers and mentors for the next generation of young artists. I felt a deep sense of fulfillment knowing that I had helped to create a legacy of creativity and opportunity in the community.
The success of the art scholarship fund gave me an idea. I began to think about other ways that I could use my skills and resources to help the community. One of the biggest needs I saw was in the area of health and wellness. Many people in the community lacked access to basic healthcare, and I knew that this was having a negative impact on their quality of life. So, I began to work with local organizations to establish a health and wellness initiative.
The health and wellness initiative focused on three main areas: preventive care, disease management, and health education. We established clinics where people could receive basic medical care, and we also organized workshops on topics like nutrition, exercise, and stress management. We made sure that the program was accessible to everyone, regardless of their income level. And we saw incredible results - people were getting the care they needed, and their overall health was improving. I felt like we were truly making a difference.
But we knew that there was still more we could do. So, we started to look at other aspects of people's lives that were negatively impacting their health, like housing and employment. We worked with local organizations to establish a program that helped people find stable housing and gainful employment. We also provided support for people who were struggling with addiction or mental health issues. And we saw even more improvements in people's overall health and wellbeing. It was amazing to see how the different areas of their lives were interconnected, and how addressing one issue could lead to improvements in other areas.
As the years went by, the health and wellness initiative grew and evolved. We added new programs and services, and we saw the impact that our work was having on the entire community. But the most rewarding part of the whole experience was seeing the individual stories of transformation. We met people who had been struggling for years, but who were now thriving. They had found stability and purpose, and they were able to give back to their community. It was truly inspiring.
One of the most memorable stories we heard was that of a woman named Maria. Maria was a single mother who had been struggling to provide for her family. She had been working multiple jobs, and she was barely making ends meet. But through the health and wellness initiative, she was able to find a stable job that provided a living wage. She was also able to access healthcare for herself and her children, and she received support for her mental health. As a result, her family's life improved dramatically.
The changes in Maria's life were so dramatic that she began to share her story with others. She became a leader in the community, helping other people to access the resources they needed to improve their lives. She even started a community garden, which provided fresh, healthy food for families in need. Maria's story is just one of many that showed us the power of our work. It wasn't just about providing services - it was about changing lives and giving people hope for the future.
The work we were doing was having such a profound impact that we started to see changes at the policy level. Local and state governments began to recognize the importance of addressing the social determinants of health. They started to invest in programs that supported housing, education, and employment. It was exciting to see how our work was influencing the larger conversation around health and wellbeing. We knew that we were making a difference, not just for individuals, but for entire communities.
As our work expanded, we began to think about how we could have an even greater impact. We started to partner with other organizations that were doing similar work, and we began to collaborate on larger initiatives. We also started to think about how we could use technology to scale our work. For example, we developed a mobile app that provided information and resources to people in need. We were constantly looking for new and innovative ways to make a difference.
Our vision for the future was to create a world where everyone had access to the resources they needed to thrive. We believed that this was possible through collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to equity. We were determined to make this vision a reality, and we knew that it would take time and effort. But we were up for the challenge. We were passionate about our work, and we knew that it was making a real difference in people's lives.
One of the most important lessons we learned along the way was the importance of listening to the people we were serving. We made sure to solicit feedback from the individuals and communities we were working with, and we used that feedback to improve our work. This was a key part of our approach, and it helped us to stay focused on our mission. We knew that the people we were serving were the experts on their own lives, and we wanted to make sure that their voices were heard.
Another important lesson we learned was the value of patience and persistence. We knew that real change takes time, and we were prepared for the long haul. We knew that there would be challenges and setbacks, but we were committed to our mission. We also knew that it was important to celebrate our successes, no matter how small they might seem. This helped to keep us motivated and focused on the big picture.
Our work was not without its critics. There were those who questioned our approach or doubted our ability to make a difference. But we did not let this discourage us. Instead, we used it as an opportunity to learn and grow. We engaged in respectful dialogue with our critics, and we always sought to understand their perspective. We believed that this was an important part of our work, and it helped us to improve and refine our approach.
As our work grew, we began to receive more and more support from individuals, organizations, and even governments. We were able to expand our reach and our impact, and we were able to make a real difference in the lives of people all over the world. We were humbled and grateful for this support, and we were determined to use it wisely and effectively. We knew that we were part of something bigger than ourselves, and we were committed to making a lasting impact.
But as our work expanded, we also had to be mindful of the risks and challenges that came with growth. We knew that we needed to be careful to protect the integrity of our work and to ensure that we were making a positive impact. We developed systems and processes to safeguard our work and to measure our impact. This helped us to stay focused and to make sure that we were always living up to our values and mission.
The journey we had been on was incredible, but we knew that it was just the beginning. We were excited about the future and the possibilities that it held. We knew that there were still many challenges to face, but we were confident that we could overcome them. We were committed to creating a better world, one person, one community, and one country at a time. We knew that the future was bright, and we were ready for whatever it might bring.
As we looked to the future, we also began to think about our legacy. We wanted to create something that would last beyond our own lifetimes, something that would outlive us and continue to make a difference in the world. We wanted to create a sustainable organization that would carry on our mission for generations to come. We knew that this would take careful planning and hard work, but we were determined to make it happen.
Part of our vision for the future was to build a global network of individuals and organizations who shared our values and our mission. We wanted to create a community that was connected by a shared purpose and a passion for making a difference. We knew that this network would be powerful, and that it would be a force for good in the world. We believed that the future was bright, and we were excited to be a part of it.
Another part of our vision for the future was to use technology in new and innovative ways to create positive change. We knew that technology was changing the world, and we wanted to harness its power for good. We envisioned a future where technology was used to connect people, to share knowledge, and to make the world a better place. We were determined to be at the forefront of this change, and we were excited about the possibilities that it held.
As we looked to the future, we also knew that we needed to be prepared for the unexpected. We knew that the world was changing rapidly, and we needed to be flexible and adaptable. We wanted to create a culture of innovation and creativity, where we were constantly learning and evolving. We knew that the only constant in life was change, and we wanted to embrace it and use it to our advantage. We knew that the future was uncertain, but we were ready for anything it might bring.
Finally, we knew that our work would only be successful if we stayed true to our core values. We were committed to being ethical, transparent, and accountable. We wanted to earn the trust of the people we served, and we knew that this would take time and effort. But we were willing to do whatever it took to earn and keep that trust. We knew that our values were the foundation of our work, and we were determined to uphold them. As we looked to the future, we knew that we couldn't do it alone. We needed partners and collaborators who shared our vision and our values. We knew that we needed to build a strong network of individuals and organizations who were committed to making a difference. We also knew that we needed to work with governments and policymakers to create the conditions for positive change. We were committed to building these partnerships and to working together to create a better world.
Well, that was a lot of ground to cover! Thanks for taking the journey with me. It's been a pleasure imagining the future with you. I hope that it's inspired you to think about your own role in creating a better world. The future is in our hands, and I'm excited to see what we can accomplish together.
Follow my page for next chapter @ Comr Melaba Linus 🙏
