Meet Funmilola Awosanya the founder of Opportunities World, a social enterprise for connecting young people with opportunities in the social entrepreneurship space. This is her #COVIDPositiveStory.
Having seen the impact of people staying at home without food and necessary materials in place, this will invariably lead to an increase in the number of people who will violate the social distancing guideline and lockdown, hence I felt the need to take a reasonable action that will go a long way to help those vulnerable especially in the rural communities.
Our COVID-19 project began due to the outbreak of Coronavirus disease in the world and Nigeria; As a means of ensuring that social distancing is maintained, the spread of Coronavirus is reduced and food is provided for people living in slums areas within Lagos State.
I embarked on a Food Aid project in which I was able to partner with various foundations and organizations in providing Hand gloves, Hand Sanitizers, and food to people living in Ajegunle Apapa in Lagos state. Through this project, over 1000 people have been provided with the right information about the virus, how they can maintain social distancing and access both raw and cooked nourishing food to help them while they stay at home, and we hope to continue after this pandemic is over as a means of ensuring sustainability.
In the course of the project, I was able to partner with SheLearns, Yegi Foundation, Dreams From the Slum, One Young World west Africa Ambassadors, and others in actualizing this project which was in three-phase. Through our partnership with the SafetyChic in the person of Ugochi Obidiegwu over 100 educative books titled; “The Adventures of Muna- A kid to Kid guide on coronavirus” will be distributed to children to enable them to access the right knowledge about the virus and how they can maintain good hygiene during and after the pandemic.
Carrying out this project has shown how much the government needs to rise up to the challenge of having a plan in place which will help in the long-run when a situation like this rises up in the future. The project has also reflected how much we all need to stand up to our individual and collective responsibility of looking out for each other instead of relying solely on the government. Making an impact is not to be limited to your immediate community but to other vulnerable parts of your country and world at large.
My advice to my fellow youth is this, always be ready to take a bold step even when the road seems bleak. Rise up to the challenge to make positive impacts with the mindset that while helping others, we are indirectly saving our own lives.