Who’s Responsible?

With the thousands of humanitarians popping up daily, it’s no wonder people have become weary and suspicious about their intentions. Has philanthropy become the in-trend or are more people just becoming large hearted?    

                      

No complains though! The world is certainly in need of a bit more love; so trend or not the new vibe of charitable giving is well appreciated. Gone are the days when the only global issues were racism, chauvinism and world peace. Now with a plethora of movements for everything from cancer to Aids, human rights and my personal favourite ‘education awareness’, it certainly seems like the world has finally come to terms with the need of their fellow man.

Looking back at the response of the public to the recent flooding in Nigeria which left thousands homeless and some dead, it was indeed a pleasant surprise to see individuals and organizations coming together to offer their support. Without doubt, more people are keying into the need for humanitarian and developmental gestures. Sadly though, for a few it still remains the case of whose responsibility! Not everyone has truly come to the understanding of the need for kind gestures.

So whose responsibility is it really? To help clear the street, to start an awareness campaign, to feed the hungry, foster the homeless and help the needy? Because you asked, I’ll answer! It’s our world and so our responsibility.    

    

With the year rapidly coming to an end, this is as good a time as ever to reflect on the various ways we should all offer our services in different ways towards humanity. It’s our world so love it, support it and serve it.

Jubemi Omabuwa

Photo credit: franthony.com

FROM THE MOUTH OF BABES AND BOBOS

It was a regular day in Benin City at a regular supermarket where regular people like me work. In my two years of working here as a cashier, I had come across all sorts of people. The kind, the unkind, the patient, the impatient and those who leave their change with you. I particularly like such customers. No matter how much their change may be they just leave it with the cashier, not that I delight in getting handouts as such but you know some days they really come in handy.

Today was a Tuesday and this morning business was really slow. There were just a handful of customers around and there was not much to be done. Any way I had to keep myself busy and so I settled down to read a book I had been on for the past 2 days titled: ‘Run up that hill’ by Michael Overton.

I was so engrossed in the book but I was brought back to my call of duty by a customer who wanted to pay for his purchase.

Putting my book down, I wore a smile and wished my customer a good morning. He smiled and said a good morning in reply. The whiff that came from his mouth was unbelievable. How could such a young gentleman have such bad breath? I packaged his ware for him and in a not so obvious way brought out a new toothbrush and told him that we are giving out complimentary toothbrushes to people who buy things worth N2000.00 and above. He was so grateful, of course I had to pay for the toothbrush and as he left I said under my breath please make sure you use it.

Getting back to my book I felt really good with myself I had done a good deed today. Barely 5minutes after he left, a young lady, who I suppose was in her early twenties walked into the supermarket. She was not alone she had a gentleman with her. It was obvious he was a 50cent wannabe which wasn’t so cool since he was not so young at all. He had on baggy three quarter jean trousers, a black body hugging sleeveless T-shirt which did nothing to help hide his bulging stomach and most annoying of it all were these gold dog chains round his neck. I thought to myself, what was a young, good looking, sophisticated young girl doing with the likes of him. You could tell he had money to spend, maybe that was the attraction but that was not my business.

She was so pretty. Fair in complexion, so well dressed she could pass for a model. I admired her as she walked round the supermarket in search of what to buy. She was really attractive.

When she was done shopping, she came to my counter to pay and what I heard gave me the shock of my life.

MODEL DISASTER:  Hai want to pay for my hear cream. (Translation: I want to pay for my hair cream).

And as if that wasn’t bad enough, the gentleman with her put the icing on the cake and the following conversation ensued between them:

GENTLEMAN: Ho bebe, ha you chure you have buy heverytin you want? (Translation: baby, are you sure you have bought everything you want?).

And just when I thought I had heard enough,

MODEL DISASTER:  ‘you know we ha sti going to the restolrant to hit, and the way my belle is doing me, his dere we will really need the money. (Translation: You know we are still going to the restaurant to eat and I am really hungry so we will need all the money there).

I was in a state of mental shock as the gentleman brought out a wad of cash and paid for her ‘hear crème’.

And then almost like a revelation from on high it hit me. It’s not always about the looks! It’s about making the good looks count with self-development, education and language.

photo credit:clipartguide.com

JUBEMI OMABUWA

Free Education Beneficiaires

12 years old Akogun Taiwo Joshua was a victim of unwanted pregnancy and left abandoned as a child by his mother with a caring old lady who managed to give him the basic primary education at United Nations church (UMC) primary school. He spent his growing up days selling puff puff bare footed on the streets and loitering around the Rochas Foundation College Ibadan were he would peep through the wired gate nursing hopes of attaining free secondary education because his guardian was unable to afford it.

His dreams did come true as he was chosen to benefit from the 2012/2013 academic scholarship provided by the Rochas Foundation. In his words, ‘I am very happy that now my dream of becoming an engineer will be possible’.

Born into a polygamous family,  Rukkayat Sanusia a 10 year old part orphaned child was left abandoned as a baby by her mother with the Baale of Oke Ado. Though her mother would come check on her once In a while, she spent all her life working as a domestic help with families who didn’t care much for her. She was discovered by a team of volunteers during the Rochas Foundation background check. Her life’s ambition is to someday become a teacher and touch lives.

September 2012 will mark a day of remembrance for Olaniran Timilehin, a 12 year old orphaned child in heritage orphanage home Ibadan. She had her primary education in Golden Crown primary school, the only school where children from Golden Crown orphanage home attended. She was admitted into the home after losing both parents as an infant. Timilehin says she wants to be a medical doctor when she grows up to enable her save lives.

11 year old Ibrahim Kayode who lives with his single mother was discovered by a team of volunteers at a car mechanic workshop where he was dropped off by his mother to train to become a mechanic. A native of Oyo state he attended seven day primary school where he excelled at academics. He had however resigned all hopes of attaining a secondary education until his discovery by a group of volunteers during the Rochas Foundation background check. He expresses his joy at being given the opportunity of a lifetime through the Rochas Foundation. 

Norfolk primary school and Corpusty Primary School UK host Rochas Foundation

Not many four-year-olds in the UK can say they’ve visited Africa, but the lucky pupils at one Norfolk Primary School began their week with a virtual trip to Nigeria to learn all about the Rochas Foundation.

Students in the reception and year one classes of Corpusty Primary School were excited to learn about the good work the Rochas Foundation does in providing under privileged children in Africa with free education.

The pupils were given short presentation, shown photographs of the students of the Rochas Foundation and even allowed to try on traditional African clothes and jewellery to get into the spirit.

Press Manager for the Rochas Foundation in the UK, Celia Jarvis, said: “It’s really important to spread the word of the Rochas Foundation to schools in England, so that children all over the world begin to realise what life is like in other countries.

“Although the children were young they were fascinated by the work of the Rochas Foundation and asked loads of really good questions, they even thought up ways they could help.”

Currently the Rochas Foundation provides free education to over 5,000 children from the poorest backgrounds, many of whom have been orphaned and are now forced to earn money and care for younger siblings.

The Rochas Foundation provides these pupils/students with everything they need to gain a world class education. Clothes, books and even accommodation for some are funded by the charity so that every under privileged child is given the chance to realise their true potential.

Pictures from this event will be brought to you soon. Keep a tab on our blog.

For further information or to donate please visit www.rochasfoundation.net

Benefits of Charitable Giving

There are countless benefits to the decision to donate. Many people donate out of the goodness of their heart. You know there are others out there in need, and you donate for that reason alone. No matter the reason, the most important thing to remember is - donate.

Clean Out the Clutter
Its time to clean out those closets and stores. If you do not want to take on the hassle of a yard sale  donate the items to charity.   You will have extra space for more important items and help a non profit at the same. Don't waste perfectly good products by throwing them out; donate them to less fortunate individuals or non profit organisations.

Feel Good
One of the best reasons to donate to charity is to help the less fortunate and feel great at the same time. If you are fortunate in your life, donating to charity can help you give back. Trust me, the feeling of giving back and offering hope is priceless.(in a good way!).

Give Back
Donating to a charity from which you found assistance in the past is a great way to show your appreciation. No one knows more about how helpful and necessary a non profit organization is than a former beneficiary. You know how much the people receiving assistance need those services. What better way to give back than to donate to the charity once you are in a better place in your life.

In Memory or Honour
Making a monetary donation in a loved one's name is a great way to honour their life and the charitable organization at the same time. You may select a charity that has touched him personally or that is close to his heart. Some people do the same for birthdays, asking friends and family to donate to charity rather than purchase a gift for them.

Jubemi Omabuwa