Have you ever thought about making a real change in society? Let me take you through how I found a sense of purpose. I learned about Colgar from my brother; he was always involved in meetings and discussions about community events. As someone searching for something worthwhile to be dedicated to, I believed it was a good cause. Fortunately, there was a form seeking new volunteers at the time, and I decided to volunteer.
I quickly became involved in the same meetings I had seen my brother participate in as we planned our first social outreach project for the year 2024. Our plan was to visit a Community Grammar school in Tanke, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria to provide scholarships and educational materials to pupils. Despite primary education being free and compulsory, UNESCO has reported that the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria has reached 20.2 million, a figure that has doubled over the decades.
Alas, it was the day of the outreach and I was sure excited at the prospect of being a part of a notable cause as well as nervous as I had never assumed so much responsibility before.
I was picked up at my residence by the state coordinator. We met with other volunteers at the school and then proceeded directly to the principal’s office. We paid the school fees for 20 students and provided all students with socks, books, and pens.Afterwards, we went to visit the pupils in their classrooms. Our State Coordinator, Mr. Farooq Sanni, delivered a motivational speech about the importance of education in their lives. Following the speech, we organized a quiz competition on current affairs. The winners received branded t-shirts as rewards, courtesy of our sponsors: BAZ, STR, and DISTRICT.
I asked a few students about their career choices and an interesting conversation followed. One student, a boy named John, said he wanted to become a medical astrologer – a field of study I had never heard of. He explained what it meant; I left Tanke feeling more knowledgeable than when I had arrived. This further proves that providing ample opportunities for these students guarantees their success. They will not only run but also fly.
After distributing educational materials such as books, pens, and socks to the pupils, we took pictures with them before leaving. Their heartfelt “Thank you, Colgar” chants filled me with a sense of accomplishment.
I gained valuable experience after just one day of volunteering at a charity event, and I am thankful to our generous donors for their contributions.
If you are interested in making a real change in the society, don’t forget to check out Colgar’s website for information on how you can make a significant impact.
P.S.: I went to bed with a big smile plastered on my face after the outreach.
