Bulletin, Clothing, Fashion

#ClotheTheClothless2018

This was not even on my bucket list for the year 2018. Charity? Lol. Me sef I need hepp. For real tho, FOLABOMI is still a budding brand and lol, giving out sixty-two (62) bags of free clothes was never the plan.

But here I was, December 11th, 2018, walking the suburbans of Lagos with Damilola and Samuel, looking for the perfect community with the picture we had in mind; unprivileged Clotheless little children!

We rigmaroled around Bariga and we walked vastly through the dunghills of Ilaje till we could literally wave at you on Thirdmainland bridge. But we were not quite sure Ilaje was what we were looking for. We decided to keep searching. Dammy suggested we go to Iwaya.

And BOOM, we found it! Aaahhhh we found it! It was on the outskirt of Iwaya – they call it Sogunro community. It had all the elements we were looking for. It was so perfect! And what made it most perfect for me was the fact that the children were not overflowing. We wouldn’t be overcrowded nor pressured. This will be so good! We’ll just walk in, share the clothes, play with the children and go home. A plan. Thank God.

We went to the palace to meet with the Baale of Sogunro. He was fatherly but pointed-out that we had to bring some gifts for the elders before the D-Day. “Anything you can afford”, he added. Lol. But, we are coming to add value to your children’s life ma ni ke, sir, why are we having to settle the elders again? Haa.. Ok o.

We got home and I made some enquiries  on the gifts fit for elders, whose land we were trying to add our widows mite to.  My uncle suggested symbolic items: emi ni Honey, Palm Oil and a bag of rice. Mum suggested money. My sister and brother suggested wine. I settled for bottles of wine. I think it was a perfect choice, cause they would have collected anything, regardless.

The Baale was pleased. He promised that we had nothing to fear. He put us in the care of his Personal Assistant. He even told us that we did not have to worry about too many children showing-up, as two (2) other events would be happening concurrently that self-same day. I was glad.. it will be such a civil event.

Fam, the Baale either lied or he under-estimated his people 🤣😯😧😱. Ah chill nah, I will gist you.

The 22nd of December came. Wow! My friends turned up! I told them to start arriving for 11:00am, they started coming in at 8:45am.. I’m like “guyssssss 😂🤣😲 hafa nah!”. Lowkey, I was so touched and the message of punctuality they passed across couldn’t have been louder.

We bagged the branded clothes Aanu and Martin helped out with, threw in toys in each bag, gathered the packs  of sweets and chocolates and we carried the boxes of ribena Anita brought.

Tomi, Jumoke and I went to collect the packs of party jollof and chicken from the caterer. Banji, Ebenezar, Kezia and Christy arrived. Ayoolu, Olaolu, Damilola, Samuel and David joined us shortly after. We prayed, we were good to go.

The minute we touched down Sogunro, we knew we were treading on a different type of soil. I remember Anita looking around and saying “I feel like we are no longer in Lagos” 😆. We met Ayo and the Baale’s assistant. However, we did not expect to meet omo-oniles (touts) hindering us from moving an inch further. They didn’t care that we were coming to clothe and feed their children. They didn’t care that we were coming to impact their community. They didn’t care that we were coming to do them a humanitarian service.

Guys, they harrassed us, they threatened us, they extracted 3k from us, they said they will smash our camera! Even the Baale’s assistant couldn’t do anything to stop them. One thing I’ve learnt in my experiences with these omo-oniles is that stronghead never works with them. We promised them that we would settle them on our way out. They agreed.  They backed-down.

We got to the venue and we were ready and pumped with the program of event Christy had drawn up:

  • Merry Christmas song
  • Opening Prayer
  • Convener’s speech
  • Christmas Charade
  • Sharing of Gifts
  • Fashion Parade
  • Item 7
  • Learn a new song
  • Vote of Thanks

Hahahahaaaa! Jokes! Lol, guys, we only made it through the Opening Prayer and the “We wish you a Merry Christmas” song.

The minute we brought out one clothing package to give the little boy that led us in prayers, was the minute our schedule of programs came to an end.

These kids did all they could to lay their hands on something; food, clothes, sweet, chocolate, carrier bag, Ribena!  Anything! Their parents were hustling for the packages too. Even a pregnant woman came to meet me to ask for clothes for her unborn babies. Ma gahd! The number of children grew from 60 to 100 and then we lost count. The survival-of-the-fittest happened before our very eyes!

“Uncle Tomi, me!”, “Aunty Tolu, me!!!”, “Aunty, I want”.. I don’t think there was a single one of us volunteers that was not touched or pulled. Yeh! Guys I do not have the words to accurately describe the ordeal; it was beyond overwhelming!

The fact that we witnessed seeing very little children deprived of their basic right was so heartbreaking but the fact that we had the opportunity to provide an aspect of the needs of these children was so fulfilling. It was such a bittersweet feeling.

And beyond the satisfaction that each of us got from seeing, experiencing and being of service to children on the not-so-pleasant side of life, I think each of us left Sogunro community with a thankful heart, because fam, you are greatly blessed and highly favoured. Just be thankful for all you have.

We are happy we went.  We are happy we were Father-Christmas for a day to some children, we are happy we clothed and shared a meal with them. But what we are most happy about is You, who made sure the #ClotheTheClothless18 project was a success:

Bamise Oyetayo
Adeyemi Aderibigbe
Juliet Ambali
Ogbenaha Jennite Chioma
Isaac Olowokere
Toyin Oresotu
Esther Osifeso
Temitope Odunsi
Ebenezar Odunsi
Abibat Busayo Quadri
Toluwanimi Ogundijo
David Ogunjimi
Jennifer Okonmah
Joseph Adeyinka
Uncle Niran Aderibigbe
Ifeoluwa YDD
Mr and Mrs Orija
Laolu Falokun
Mr and Mrs Hope Duntoye
Banji Sonubi
Aanu Ishola
Charity Odunsi
Charles Adebayo
Laolu Oyedokun
Tolulope Aanuoluwapo Adeola
Glory Yoila
Mr & Mrs Odun Lijofin
Tutu Ayanlaja
Seyi Akinrotimi
Boaz Abigail
SoftPictures
Bunmi Akinboade
Alade Oladimeji
Mabel Eziuno Obi
Morenike Daniel
Akinola Oluwaseun
Juliet Akai
Adeyemi Aderibigbe
Gbenga Ogunsanya
Ayobami Bamisaiye
Busola Ajayi
Nanbol
Ebun Oke
Mr & Mrs Rotimi Oba
Laolu Akinyemi
Ajayi Olubukunmi
Mercy Ojo
Mrs Jumoke Quadri
Comfort Ani
Eno Mfon-Edet
Mr Fen
Ibk Odunsi
Anonymous
Chidebere Christabel
Kehinde Aloba
Titilayo Adeliyi
Chukwunonso Arinze
Dad Charles Oni
Mum
Rhoda
Mr & Mrs Tosin Shobukola
Babaseyi
Moses  Ogbe
Ope Ogunsanmi
Demilade Oresanya
Tobi Bamidupe
Jimi Shodipe
Fabanwo Oluwatobi
Ajoboru Chioma Olaoti
Olusegun Ayobami
Busola Odunsi
Uyo ATM
Anita Ladzekpo
Aunty Ebere
Ayo Abe
Dad Odunsi
Tunde Taxify
Gbemisola
Dad Bayo Odunsi
Sam Ayanlaja
Mr Adeleke

Because of YOU, over sixty (60) children were clothed and over a hundred (100) children were fed in December,  2018!

Thank You!

Thank You!

Thank You!

31 thoughts on “#ClotheTheClothless2018

  1. I practically went on this journey with my mind as I read through. It made me teary-eyed. God bless your kind heart.

  2. Kudos to Fola bomi, convinced that God Himself has started enveloping you with honour and grandeur. One thing. When you clothe the clotheless, you naturally position yourself for God’s uncommon touch and honour. Genius, you are spectacularly blessed.
    Like the Bale, I covet a touch of your generosity o. You know my take? Tutorials on humanistic reporting. Then, you would have made the year great!

    1. Hahahhaaa! Daddy, I read this out loud to the whole family 🤣😂. I’m just honoured I know you, daddy. Thank you for your love and support on this project, thank you for ALWAYS cheering me on. Thank you for everything, daddy. God bless you sir.

  3. Kudos on this great achievement Folabomi. May we always have reason to thank God for granting us the basic necessities of life.

    1. Amen oooo! We are greatly blessed and highly favoured! May we always remember this. Thank you Temitipe 😍😘

  4. Girl, I just love you more. My heart is so full of prayers for you. God bless you my darling phenomenal woman.

    1. Amen!!!! God bless youuu baby girl! You went all out! God bless youuuu baby girl. Can’t wait to see how God wants to move in us this year. Love you power-woman!

  5. Wawu!!!!
    I really am speechless rai now, but you know what, (One generation plants a tree, Another enjoys the shade.).
    Until we step out of our comfort zone sometimes, we barely understand the abundance peace we have around us.
    Apparently many of these kids wouldn’t have envisaged a Christmas with sweets, to talk less of chocolates, biscuits and clothes!!!! As in designers clothes!!!

    O GA ju!!!

    You haven’t only placed lasting smiles on their faces, you have successfully ended up providing answers to someone’s prayers.

    And guess what, folabomi brand is moving into greater heights this year.

    I am glad many people are seeing the (make the world a better place) anthem from another angle.

    It’s not only the work of the government to care for the less privileged, but you and I can put lasting smile on the faces of other people too.
    And the fact that you don’t have to be a millionaire before you can do this is what gladdens my heart.

    Dear Toluleye, God bless you Abundantly, and bless all that concerns you too.

    Welcome to a favored year ma’am.
    As you have lighted he faces of these young ones with happiness, folabomi brand will also occupy the faces of the media in like manners.

    💕💕💕💕👏👏👏👏

    1. Amen! Amen! Amen! Thank youuuu, Ife. Ah I see what you do too. And it is a little effort from each of us here and there that will eventually make this world a more tolerable place. Thank you for your help. Thank you for the contact you linked me up with. I am forever grateful. God bless youuuuuuu dear

  6. It was a great day!.
    And oh it brought back a sense of appreciation, people are suffering. God bless you Tolu! I really did have fun.
    And oh my those kids would have pushed us down ehn., Thank God for stamina😂

    1. Hahahaahhahahha! That was a struggle. I was stuck in the middle of about 30 of them at some point. It was Ayo Abe that extracted me out 🤣🤣🤣. It truly brought back a sense of appreciation. Thank you my darling for showing up for us. I love youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu Kezia ♡♡♡♡ !

  7. Dearest Folabomi,
    May God bless you on this noble initiative.
    As you make lives meaningful, God will definitely overwhelm you with all that your heart yearns for.
    I’m sorry, I missed out on this; looking forward to more of such.
    God bless the Team

    1. Amen! Thank you so much, Meaningful-Sir. God bless youuuuuuu bountifully as you make lives meaningful. Thank you sir.

  8. May God bless you and enrich your life for all the good work. Giving back is the fastest way double receipt. May God double all listed blessings for you this new year. Enjoy

  9. Wow, this is just a dream come true
    Words of mouth will fail me to congratulate you on this. It’s such an inspiring success story and I pray that heaven continues to give us the initiative to help the needy till we make the world a better place.
    I so much love your courage dearie. Keep it up, God bless you.

  10. It was wonderful seeing the excitement on the faces of the entire team when you all stepped out. May this be a year where we all will with God’s help brighten our small corners till the entire world becomes a better place. Good work Folabomi and friends.

    1. Thank youuuuu SISTER MINE !! Love youuuu. So blessed to have you always nudge me In the right direction. Thank you for your support, daily. ♡♡♡

  11. Wow…Toluleye, you are amazing. Though you don’t know but trust me, I am one of your secret admirers. Your generosity and kindheartedness is inestimable, your initiative and passion to make children fits into the bubbling period is touchy.

    Thanks for making children smile and
    reducing inferiority complex on a special day of Christ’s birth.

    God bless you dear. I wish to be like you. Causing people to smile with no return or compulsion

    Love you ghal

    1. Oluwatomisin!😊😊😊😊😊 Thank youuuuu. I don’t know you but your words are sooooo kind. Thank you so much. Amen to prayers 🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️💚🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏👊

  12. A scripture came to mind,
    Give and shall be given,
    Good measure
    Pressed down
    Shaken together
    Running over
    will you receive in Jesus Name.
    Few have this wisdom of this thing you did, God bless you mightily 😘

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