Legacy- A sustainable future

I am actively pursuing a career in politics because I believe that is where real change begins. Recently, my mom expressed her concerns about the widespread poverty in our country, turning to God for answers. At that moment, I felt it was important to explain to her that poverty is a man-made issue; it is not a natural occurrence. Therefore, addressing poverty is a human responsibility, not something that can solely be left to God.

Having worked with an NGO for eight years, I realized that politics is often a tool for perpetuating poverty. Thus, I resolved within myself that if I truly want to make a difference and improve the situation of my environment, I need to be in a position of power and gather like-minded individuals to join me in this mission. This isn't a fleeting dream for me but a long-term ambition. Although for now, I am focused in gaining experiences, build connections, and prepare myself for the role that I aspire to be in.

Well, this week's prompt, reflecting on how to make the world a better place brings me back to my days in the NGO. I was determined to create meaningful, lasting change—not just for recognition but to ensure that the people we assisted truly felt our impact. I grew up with poverty around me, although I didn't get to experience it directly, I felt people go through it. I guess I could say that it made me more empathetic and prompted my desire to work with the NGO.

Moving on, at the market recently, I ran into two boys and their mother who I could barely recognise. I noticed that they were eager to greet me and introduce themselves. I looked closely and it was at that point I recognised them and In that moment, I was reminded of how quickly time flies and how our efforts can be a driving force, paving the way to a bright future for someone else.

Well, it so happened that six years ago, I was fighting with the Women Affairs Commission of my state for my NGO to get temporary custody of the boys. At the time, they just lost their father and together with their mother was thrown out of their home by their paternal family. It was the woman's brother who brought them to us.

Again, while she needed help, she was more particular about her children. She needed our assistance but does not want to give up the custody of her children. While it was against the laws of the welfare commission, I became incharge of the case and assured her that no one will take her children away from her in the guise of adoption.

It was not an easy battle with the welfare commission because the law was, any parents who could not fend for their children should give them up for adoption. The motive for this was to discourage parents from dumping their children at the orphanages and give birth to children that they can fend for.

To them, the orphanage was a place for orphans, not children from less privileged homes. This sort of goes against the ethics of our NGO who sought to bridge the gap between the haves and the have-nots by creating a sustainable future for the downtrodden and underprivileged. Although registered as an orphanage, we identified it more as a homeless shelter.

To the government officials, it's all business enriching themselves from the adoption proceeds. Thus, the program that my NGO was adopting was seen as a barrier to their adopting spree.

We did not have the power or authority to fight the welfare commission so the MD of my NGO sort help from his politician friends who share in our vision. With their influence, we were able to boycott the welfare commission and deal directly with the police and the court.

When I saw the boys with their mom, I am quickly reminded of where we were coming from. I was the front person for the NGO then doing all the legal work because jobs like that excites me. The thought that I am doing something for the greater good was enough compensation for me.

I had a brief talk with the boys and their mother who looked stunning by the way, life has been good to her if I might add and her boys weren't looking bad either. In our talk, I was informed that they were preparing for Uni and would be leaving the orphanage in two years time when they turn 18. I was super excited for them and was even more pleased when they told me that the MD gave all the orphanage children scholarship up to their university level. It was a news that almost brought tears to my eyes because I might no longer be there but my vision for sustainability lingers.

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