There are over 13 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps set up in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for people fleeing from the insurgency in the North East zone of Nigeria.
I once read an article that children in Internally Displaced person camp were feeding on onion leaves to survive. I also heard that women sometimes use dirty clothes for their period. It broke my heart to pieces and I have decided to do something about it.
Amongst the many IDP camps in the FCT – Wasa, Kpegyi, Waru, Pya Kasa, Kuje, Lubge, Sabon Kuchi Goro village, Mararaba, Nyanya, Mission field at Kwali in the FCT and Kugaru and Kagruma in Nasarawa state to name a few. Myself in collaboration with Idios creatives, went to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Durunmi to do something for the kids.
We went on children’s day – this way, we were able to give them a sense of belonging to the celebration of their special day. We shared books and snacks and I was happy that every child had something to take with them.
My experience at the IDP camp
My experience at the camp was jarring. Seeing the “houses” made with sacks and no doors made me sad. There was no form of security to protect the occupants from assault or any attack.
Thinking back, I truly cannot imagine the danger the girls and women in the camp are constantly exposed to. They barely have enough to eat and are in dire need of hygiene products, clothes, better accommodation, medical attention, and economic empowerment so they can stop relying on the less than ideal living situation at the camps.
Picture having to live your day to day life without good clothes to wear, sanitary pads to use, food to eat, clean water to drink, and not having a bed to rest your head on at night. I mean, life is hard even with a roof over your head, job security, and food. It makes me sad that these women and children are going through this.
I want to do something to help in the little way I can. I want to provide them with clean clothes and toiletries. I want to invest in their wellbeing.
Currently, my finances are all over the place. I have decided to plan and save for this cause but I know if I save the money in my account, I can end up spending it on something else. My friend recently introduced me to a savings app called Cowrywise. I looked into it and discovered I can automate my savings and lock the money over a set period of time so I won’t be able to touch it. It’s such a no brainer that I’m definitely going to use it.
I have not set a specific amount for this project yet because I need to plan my finances properly first. This cause is very dear to my heart and I will appreciate your support if you can donate. please leave a comment saying you want to donate money and/or neatly used clothes I will send you an email with my details.
“When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.”
– Helen Keller
Love and Light Always
Funke Olotu