I came across a very inspiring young man called Otto Orondaam. I had heard about him and his work in the Makoko community in Lagos, Nigeria. Otto started a project to get children, who live in slum and cannot afford to go to school, access to education. In just a year he and his amazing team of volunteers have sent more than 320 children to school so that this children can have a promising future.
His story amazes me. He came to Lagos in 2011 to serve (NYSC) and was posted to a bank (that's everybodys dream during service year). He however noticed a community everytime he went across the 3rd mainland bridge. he would see canoes, smoke in the air, houses on stilts etc. Curiosity got the better part of him and then Otto decided to pay Makoko a visit. The visit turned out to be not what he expected. The beautiful scene from the bridge was an unpleasant scene close up.
Makoko was not the reality he expected. It was a slum like no other, and he found thousands of children who were not going to school and could not even afford it. Otto immediately knew what he wanted to do. He approached NYSC to inform them that he would like to quit his bank job and start a project in Makoko. This was unheard of, but after they realized he was serious, he was allowed to quit the job, and that began the slum2school dream. After he completed his NYSC in 2012, he was awarded the best Corper in Lagos state. He also received the Future Award for Innovator of the Year in Education.
Today the impact of slum2school in Makoko cannot be overemphasized. I had to go and see for myself and I was amazed. They have sent about 320 children to school. They pay their school fees, buy them uniforms and other school items the children need. The S2S team visits the community 3 times a week for after school classes. They also organizes various programmes for them to ensure that these children are learning and remain committed. This is very impressive work.
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The Slum2School team is made up of young passionate, committed individuals who give of themselves, their time, their energy and effort to see that this work continues and goes stronger.
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This year Slum2School has raised their goal. They want to send 1000 Children to school in December from the Makoko community and other communities around Lagos. They seek to raise N30million and they need you support.
If you would like to support this worthy initiative please visit www.slum2school.org for more information.
Be the change you seek. #Volunteer.
TyF.
His story amazes me. He came to Lagos in 2011 to serve (NYSC) and was posted to a bank (that's everybodys dream during service year). He however noticed a community everytime he went across the 3rd mainland bridge. he would see canoes, smoke in the air, houses on stilts etc. Curiosity got the better part of him and then Otto decided to pay Makoko a visit. The visit turned out to be not what he expected. The beautiful scene from the bridge was an unpleasant scene close up.
Makoko was not the reality he expected. It was a slum like no other, and he found thousands of children who were not going to school and could not even afford it. Otto immediately knew what he wanted to do. He approached NYSC to inform them that he would like to quit his bank job and start a project in Makoko. This was unheard of, but after they realized he was serious, he was allowed to quit the job, and that began the slum2school dream. After he completed his NYSC in 2012, he was awarded the best Corper in Lagos state. He also received the Future Award for Innovator of the Year in Education.
Today the impact of slum2school in Makoko cannot be overemphasized. I had to go and see for myself and I was amazed. They have sent about 320 children to school. They pay their school fees, buy them uniforms and other school items the children need. The S2S team visits the community 3 times a week for after school classes. They also organizes various programmes for them to ensure that these children are learning and remain committed. This is very impressive work.
.JPG)
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This year Slum2School has raised their goal. They want to send 1000 Children to school in December from the Makoko community and other communities around Lagos. They seek to raise N30million and they need you support.
If you would like to support this worthy initiative please visit www.slum2school.org for more information.
Be the change you seek. #Volunteer.
TyF.
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