Sijibomi Ogundele takes pregnant hawker off the street and sets her up for life

Remember the young pregnant lady who was hawking under the hot sun last year December and my team and I decided to put a smile on her face, by buying off her goods, giving her a hamper and a cash gift?

I’ve been on the lookout for her to make a lasting impact in her life and that of her unborn child and I was glad yesterday when we finally met her in person only to hear the sad news that she lost the baby due to prolong labour and lack of proper medical care. I was totally devastated and heartbroken! The plight of women in this country is very sad and I strongly believe that a lot needs to be done on our health sector.

Notwithstanding the sad news and all she has been through, her spirit of resilience and gratitude for life compelled to want to do more for her. Therefore, we have decided to empower her with a proper accommodation, get her a shop in an area of her preference and stock-up the place so she won’t have to hawk again. The idea is to see how we can empower other women like her, get them off the street, provide mentorship and give them something to start afresh.

This for me is not a PR stunt. Giving back for me is more than a PR initiative, it is a lifestyle. Generosity is ingrained in my DNA thanks to my mother, the No. 1 Motomatician who always says to me “Òkè l?w?? afunni ?gbé”, meaning that the hand of a giver never lacks.

More importantly, I am putting this out here so we can be more sensitive to the needs of women around us, especially in this difficult time in our nation where the prices of things keep skyrocketing. I believe that when your neighbour is hungry, your chicken is not safe. Things are tough and I encourage everyone to do all they can in their own little way, to give a helping hand and put a smile on the face of someone.

One good deed can change the life of a person forever!