Ini Edo visits the LOTS Charity Foundation Resource Center
It was a very romantic weather condition on Saturday, the 23rd of April around Ajegunle; one in which people would love to have parties in, and that was the exact mood the children of the Dustbin Estate were in.
The expected visit of famous star actress, Ini Edo, did add extra chill and spice to the beautiful atmosphere as the kids were very eager to see their star. Before the official opening time, 10am, the kids were already trooping into the LOTS Resource Center, all gorgeously dressed in beautiful and colorful attires. The staff of LOTS Charity Foundation had envisaged the crowd to come and made adequate provisions for feeding, drinking and management of the kids with the help of volunteers.
The day’s activity kicked off with a word of prayer, then onto some personal grooming sessions by Mrs Ogogo, of KIR Foundation. The kids took turns to say one or two things about themselves and what they’d like to be in future. We had very interesting kids with big dreams and aspirations which was nice to hear – with the help from LOTS Charity Foundation, the kids can dare to dream again. We had kids tell us they would like to be Doctors, Lawyers, Nurses, Footballers and even Teachers. They were also asked what they would do for their community when they became the persons they wanted to become and the list was endless. Most notably was that they would do all in their power to clear the area of the refuse dump found everywhere, even inside their homes. Some said they would build hospitals and provide free health care services. Others were more concerned about alleviating the poverty of their immediate families.
The kids were full of life and spirit, cheering all the way. The session was aimed at helping the kids overcome timidity and build self-confidence in them as they had to stand in front of other kids, speak loud, clearly and boldly. The result was outstanding, though we had a few nervous ones.
Even as the kids took turns to speak, they had an eye outside the windows anticipating the arrival of the chief-celebrant, Ini Edo, but she was still nowhere to be found. The session took the kids to 12:30pm before it was concluded. Mrs Ogogo with the help of Preye, did a good job in making sure that all the kids had their chance to speak. Even those that didn’t want participate or were too shy in the beginning picked up courage and said something.
The staff and the volunteers had to apply several tricks to manage the excesses of the kids who were beginning to feel uneasy. We found out that most of them were beginning to get hungry and as soon as Miss Tolu, the Chief Coordinator, gave the word, drinks and biscuits were served.
It looked like our guest, Ini Edo, wasn’t going to make it, but the kids were persistent, still keeping an eye out of the windows to catch her arrival.
There was another session held by Miss Preye. This time, the kids spoke positively into their lives and future. They sang and recited chants of success and victory. This session did liven up the kids as they spoke powerful words of encouragement, success and victory to their lives. This was about 2:30pm. And still no sign of Ini Edo.
After the moral-boosting session, the kids were served their meals and this made some of them begin to lose faith in the coming of the guest. They got their food and as some began to devour the food immediately, others just tucked it somewhere, still with an eye out the window, waiting. And those who tarried were rewarded; they caught Ini Edo’s arrival.
With great joy they screamed, so much so that it terrified other kids who were eating; and not until they knew it was Ini Edo and her entourage that walked in, they were bewildered. They, having spent about 4 hours waiting, jumped on her, giving her hugs and showing her love. It took about 10 to 15 minutes to quell the noise and restore a bit of sanity in the room.
Ini Edo was thrilled by the welcome she received. She greeted the kids and the response was deafening. Some, who didn’t get the opportunity to give her a proper hug at first, jumped of their seats and satisfied themselves. She apologized for coming late because she was not feeling too well. She went straight into the business of the day – loving and giving. Everybody wanted to get close to her and the staff and volunteers kept working, trying to keep sanity and orderliness. One of the high points of event was when Prince, one of the kids, presented her with a birthday card made and designed by the kids a day ago in their arts and craft class. The card had Ini Edo's names on it with a lovely message. It also had the names of all the kids who helped in making the card. With great joy and excitement she recieved it and read out the content to everyone. She, Ini Edo, came with her husband, her elder sister and friends with members of the media.
Ini Edo put smiles on the faces of these kids and laughter in their mouth with her presence, love and gifts. They got branded t-shirts, gift packs and other lovely items which they used to take pictures with her. The chief coordinator of LOTS, Tolu Sangosanya, took Ini Edo, her husband and her team for a tour round the dustbin estate. They made several stops during the tour, visiting the leaders of the community. It was a long, exhausting but interesting tour. Seeing where and how the kids lived with their families was a real experience and an eye opener for the star actress.
After about an hour, they all made their way back to the LOTS Resource Center but on their way through the dustbin estate, a lot of children recognized her and abandoned all that they were doing and followed her back to the Resource Center. She got back and found a cake waiting for her. Once again she was thrilled with the surprise. The kids gathered round about her as she got set to cut her cake. They sang her a birthday song and asked her how old she was, and she said she was 5, 6, 15 and 16 years old; all at the same time. It was a joke everyone caught as nobody expected her to tell her real age. She cut the cake and had another photo session with the kids.
It was a glorious day, with the kids having a fabulous time but she, Ini Edo, had to go and the party had to come to an end. At about 4:45pm, a word of prayer was given, the Grace was shared and every one dispersed.
