My Story
Growing up as a child, my single mother faced the daunting task of providing for me and my other siblings. Juggling food, shelter, education, and clothing was a constant struggle for my mom. I was frequently in and out of school, and for about five years, I didn’t attend at all. I remember my mother secured a loan from Lapo, a microfinance bank, to ensure I could begin secondary school education
In 2009, Andrew Lovedale, Morgan Clark, and their team came from the US to distribute shoes to children and youths in Benin City. (They later founded the Access to Success Foundation,A2S). Our paths crossed when they visited my local church, Gospel Life Bible Church, to serve the community. This marked the beginning of a close friendship between Morgan and I.
After completing secondary education in 2009, i did menial jobs, worked as a cleaner for two years to support my family. But furthering my education seemed out of reach due to financial constraints.
But the founding of Access to Success (A2S) brought a glimmer of hope for my educational aspirations. So, I enrolled for the necessary exams, excelled in them, and gained admission to study History and International Studies at Ambrose Alli University in 2014. Then A2S offered me a scholarship. It was a dream come through for me and my family; as I was the first child to go to the university.
After my graduation, I seized another opportunity given, to intern at A2S for 11 months before being posted to Kaduna State for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) by the Federal Government of Nigeria. For safety reasons, my friends and family were afraid for me; some advised that I redeploy from kaduna, However, I decided to honor the call to serve in kaduna.
Upon my arrival in northern Nigeria, I encountered numerous impoverished children, single mothers, vulnerable teenage girls, and struggling families and communities. Their circumstances echoed my own past struggles, devoid of education and hope yet brimming with potential and dreams. Witnessing these challenges firsthand stirred a deep resolve within me. Throughout my year of service, I was profoundly moved by the realities I encountered.
In November 2019, after completing my one-year service, I felt a strong inner urge to remain in Kaduna. However, there were also calls from family and friends in Benin City urging me to return due to security concerns. It was a big struggle for me. As I deliberated whether to stay or go, COVID-19 pandemic struck Nigeria.
During the pandemic, I discussed with some friends in Kaduna who were also posted to kaduna: Emmanuel Awe, Benita Okoro, Saliu Nana, Seun, and Adebunmi, about the idea of serving the children and community through a nonprofit organization, the You Can Foundation. They embrace the initiative. So thankful for them.
That was how You Can Foundation was founded in July 11,2020. My motivation was to give to the less privileged children, what I had graciously received from my mother and A2S: love and opportunities.
Thankful to my mom, A2S, my leaders at Gospel life for all the training and love.
Aisosa Ogboghodo
Founder
YOU CAN FOUNDATION Copyright © 2024