Ifeoluwapo Omoniyi, 14 years old, SSS 2
The kindest thing that has been done to me before was to get me what I wanted for my 10th birthday on 24th of April, 2015. On that day, my parents prayed for me and my dad gave me a gift of N10,000 and afterwards we set out to church. When we got to church, my mum’s friend presented me N5,000 cash gift to buy things for myself and also told me to ask for anything and she would get it for me. I asked for a suit and to my surprise, she bought it for me. I was very happy at her kind gesture towards me and till date I am still grateful because she made my 10th birthday a memorable one.
Mayor Ajanaku, 12 years old, JSS 3
Sometimes last year, my mum helped me out of inferior feeling among my siblings. Whenever anything happens in the among us , I would be blamed and they also compared me with things I did not like. When my younger sister did what I did not like and I spank or shout at her, my parents would in turn scold me, saying that I should report her wrongs but I felt it was not right because they would not punish her. One day, I told my mum that I felt she was not supporting me. Thereafter, she gave me encouraging words, shed light to certain things I did not understand, brought smiles to my face and also promised to speak to with my siblings. My siblings put up their defenses but my mum sorted the issues with wisdom and everything is now going on well among us all. I can never forget that single act of kindness from my mum.
Ifeoluwapo Amire, 14 years old, SSS 2
Our school administrator/ director who was also my Economics teacher was the person who did the kindest thing to me. When I was enrolled in the school, the best option to get me back home from school, joining the shuttle bus did not work because it doesn’t come to our route. So my parents would come from their places of work to pick me but it was not convenient for them considering waste of fuel, distance and traffic. The teacher I mentioned eventually discovered she drives through our route to my mum’s work place daily. She since then took it upon herself to drop me in my mum’s work place. That eased my parents’ stress of driving down to pick me from far distances from JSS 1 to JSS 2.
Elizabeth Anizor, 10 years old, JSS 1
During the last Christmas and new year holiday, my mum sent me on an errand and I met a girl on my way. She asked for my name, I told her mine and she told me her’s is Pelumi. Then she told that her parents travelled and they did not leave anything for her to eat, so he was hungry. At the time she was telling me her story, I held two packs of snacks. I felt sorry for her and gave her the two. Since then, I met her one while going out with my mum in our car. She recognised me and said ‘thank you.’ I was happy I could put smile on someone’s face. I wish to do more.
Anjolaoluwa Adebisi, 15 years old, SSS 3
I was to sit for an examination which I fully prepared for. After the first paper, I was convinced that I would come out in flying colours and that encouraged me to study more till I finished the exams. When the result was out, I did not perform to the level I had hoped for. The disappointment made feel very bad even before my parents saw the result so I kept to myself. When they saw it, I was scolded; I couldn’t look at them in the eyes because they expected more from me. But the truth was that I sacrificed a lot of things to come out best. At that point, I needed someone to confide in and a friend came round with this kind and comforting statement I can never forget “the examinations, result and sacrifices are in the past, so focus on the future ahead of you.” I sat for the examination again and passed.
Funmilayo Francis, 12 years old, JSS 2
The kindest thing anyone has ever done to me to me was to make me her friend when I was new in school and had no one to talk to. I resumed in a new school when I was in primary three and was sitting alone. One day, she asked me if she could be my best friend and she is till date.
Oluwademilade Ajayi, 13 years old, SS 2
I celebrate birthdays but none like the 10th when my parents organised a surprise birthday party. They did not consider times I did wrong. I felt like a queen that day. My friends from school, church and other places graced the occasion and I was glad everyone celebrated me. I appreciated that the love they showered on me and it remains in my memory.
Michelle Mpetcha, 11 years old, JSS 1
November last year, one of my ‘big mummies’ promised me a gift. Three days after my birthday, on a Wednesday , she took me out to Cold Stone at Oluyole and bought ice cream with gummy bear and rainbow spittle on top while she also took me to an a supermarket and bought me a cartoon disc titled ‘boss baby’ with chocolate and sweets. I could not hide my joy and gratitude. That is the kindest thing someone has done to me.
Solomon Isaac, 13 years old, SSS 1
The kindest thing I will ever remember is when a friend of mine gave N10 to buy a sachet of water when I was very thirsty. It happened on July 13, 2018 after writing an examination and it was very sunny. I was thirsty but had no money to buy water. While asking some people to lend me money, he noticed the unhappy mood I was and asked me what happened. I explained to him and he gave me the amount I needed. I was grateful. I wanted to repay him but he said that I should not bother.
and then