Ambassador Tolu Taiwo, the founder of the Twenty-One Five Child Foundation (T1FF), has urged citizens to adopt a spirit of helping others instead of solely criticizing the government, emphasizing that the government cannot address all issues.
She stated that every individual should assist those around them in any small way possible during this time of economic hardship, saying, “We should all give to the needy around us and make their lives easier. Everyone has something that can help others.”
Ambassador Taiwo made these remarks on Tuesday during an outreach event hosted by her foundation for residents of Ojoo and surrounding communities. The event was organized to support the less privileged in celebration of her birthday.
She expressed her desire to give back and make life easier for others in gratitude to God for her life and the progress she has made despite the challenges she faced during her teenage years.
Moreover, she emphasized that her efforts are not motivated by a desire for personal gain, stating, “I am not doing this to get anything in return. It has no political implications; I am not a politician and do not intend to enter politics in the future. I believe there is love in sharing, and this is the essence of the foundation. That is why I want to celebrate my birthday in this way.”
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“Putting smiles on the faces of people and just sharing happy moments gives me joy. And I enjoin us all to do whatever we can in our little corner; nothing is too small to make life easier on others,” she added.
The Twenty-One Five Child Foundation (T1FF), officially launched early in the year, provides necessary support services for pregnant teenage girls and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence and engages in activities that help to prevent future occurrences through education, advocacy and community engagement.
The foundation, according to Ambassador Taiwo, was borne out of her experience as a victim of teenage pregnancy that was a a result of her ignorance and the stigmatisation and emotional turmoil she experienced as a teenage mother, adding that the foundation was established in honour of her child, Boluwatife, who she has then as a teenager.
“There are people whose negative life experiences have made them bitter individuals and, there are others that redirected the energy from such experiences towards positive ventures, I am in this category and because of my experience, I now provide support for pregnant teenage category girls in Nigeria. We distribute free birth kits to pregnant teenagers by going to government hospitals and Primary Healthcare centres because I believe they need assistance as well as prompt and straightforward information and judgment-free medical guidance, support and care,” she said.
Household items like complete set of curtains, televisions, standing fan and other household equipment as well as clothing, fashion accessories, shoes and bags as well as toys and bags were given out to over 100 people at the outreach.
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