By: Shamsudeen Abubakar
Beclouded with turns of fate on a Sunday afternoon. Gidan Marayu was settled due to the Sokoto scorching sun that gripped the village, and compelled the residents to take shade inside their rooms. The arrival of the Rotaract Club of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, unfolded a transformative story on the villagers.
Jamilu Abubakar, 12, gripped with joy as he shared his exciting story of how he received a pair of shoes when UDUS-RC paid a homage visit to his residence.
Despite unbearable heat in the Seat of Caliphate, he faced the plight of walking with his bare feet until he benefited from the humanitarian assistance offered by the club.
“They came to our community, distributed shoes, biscuits, and even took pictures with us. I felt like a celebrity,” Abubakar said with gladness.
He continued: “I am so grateful for their kindness and generosity because their visitation makes my dream come true.”
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), community service initiatives can reduce poverty by up to 60% in underserved communities.
Similarly, a 2022 report by Wikkitimes shows that community service initiatives like this can increase a child’s self esteem by up to 80%.
The Rotaract and their Initiatives
Shehu Fatima Bolanle, a 400-Level student of English and Literary Studies and President of the association unveiled her passion towards the wellbeing of Almajiri children. She feels unsettled and uncomfortable whenever she sets eyes on children walking barefooted. Hence, she sourced the initiative ideas and discussed it with her project supervisor who encouraged her to execute it.
Furthermore, Mrs Fatima identified the provision of humanitarian assistance to vulnerable people as one of the main objectives of the Rotaract Club. And she was over the moon when she led the Union during the courtesy visitation to the underprivileged children at Gidan Marayu, a village near Benji hostel _ one of the private hostels of the Danfodiyo university.
“We raise awareness and seek support for our project to aid Almajiri children. We started with distributing shoes to them, and we hope to expand it to clothing, food, shelter and more with increased funding. Thanks to the Rotaract and her members who offered us support.”
“Currently, they receive class in makeshift madrasa conditions, and we are determined to make a difference with the resources we have,” she concluded.
Also, a member of the club and final year student of Plant Science, Yusuf Abdulbasit Khuzaifa enthusiastically shared his experiences with the club, known the association for her consistent humanitarian commitments.
“Our club’s motto is “service before self” and we take it very seriously. We have accomplished ten projects since my first year when I joined the association, and many more that I can not even recall.”
Themed “Shoe a Child”, the project is aimed to provide footwear for the needy children at the village, Mr Yusuf disclosed to this reporter.
“The benefit I gained from helping people is that I am also happy in the end. As we believe, whenever you serve humanity, you will also be happy in return.”
“We actually bought the shoes for the ‘Shoe a Child’ project. The little you have can go a long way in serving humanity. It can turn someone’s sadness into happiness and make others happy,” he added.
Tribune News in 2022 revealed that over 70% of Almajiri children in Nigeria lack access to basic necessities like shoes, clothing, and healthcare.
Also, According to a 2022 report by the United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF), initiatives like this are crucial to support the wellbeing of over 10 million Almajiri children in Nigeria.
More Stories, more Relieve
Muhammad Yusha’u is another beneficiary of the community outreach. The 12-years-old boy has been in a cloud-nine mood since Rotaract paid a homage visit to their community, expressing that the humanitarian gesture has impacted significantly on his life.
“I was overjoyed when I received the shoes from the Rotaract Club,” Muhammad exclaimed with his eyes full of excitement.
He further said: “As someone who had been walking barefoot for a long time, the scorching sun had taken a toll on my feet. The heat was unbearable, and I had grown accustomed to the discomfort.”
Muhammad can now walk with ease and comfort as the shoes impacted a significant change in his life. “I am forever grateful for their kindness.”
Similarly, Ibrahim Kasimu, 13, joined other villagers in hailing the Rotaract Club’s kindness, expressing his heartfelt gratitude towards the shoes he benefited from the organization.
Ibrahim disclosed that the shoes have now become a vital tool in protecting him from the natural consequence of the hostile weather as the boy can now walk with comfort and confidence.
The Rotaract Club’s gesture has demonstrated how a simple act of kindness can have a profound effect on people’s life. Their gladness and appreciation emphasized the power of community service and its transformative nature.
Mallam Tukur Abubakar, a 35-year-old Islamic teacher at Gidan Marayu praised the Rotaract Club UDUS for their humanitarian efforts in donating shoes to his students.
He appreciated the implication of the project in helping the children to concentrate on their studies. Mallam Abubakar was thrilled to see his students in a cloud-nine mood.
“There are two ways to help children to concentrate on their studies. First is to help students directly, as the Rotaract Club has done and the other is to support the school itself.
“We believe that by investing in education, we are building a brighter future for our community.”
Humanitarian Experts Weigh in
The President of the Rotaract Club, Lugbe, Kogi state, Martins Moses praised the gesture of UDUS Rotaract Club. He noted that the significance of the executed project can never be overemphasized towards the lives of the beneficiaries.
He also believed that community development starts with developing children, and the act of the club incited a hope of better future for the hopeless Almajiri children.
“Hope is the light that guides us through the darkness, and we must give hope to those who needs it.”
Similarly, Abdulazeez Ayodeji, the former International Service Director of the Rotaract Club,Ilorin Kwara state emphasized that the Rotary organization is full of humanitarian services. He said, the reactions of the children is a reflection of their unsatisfactory living conditions.
“Seeing pictures and reactions from the kids gladdened my heart. Almajiris are also humans, regardless of whatever situation they are presently in, they never wanted to be so,” Mr Ayodeji said with reflections of sympathy in his voice.
Mr Ayodeji finally remarked on the invaluable importance of the project on society, as one of the channels to create a serene environment.
“When we carry out such a project, it gives a sense of inclusion to the kids. This in turn creates an atmosphere for peaceful coexistence and an avenue for positive change.”