As the founder of Path to Possibilities, I did not want to fundraise this year. The honest truth is I’m exhausted, physically and mentally. For the last 3 years this work has felt burdensome, with dwindling income, rising rent and inflation in Nigeria and supporters in the Uk also going through a lot.

How is it that after 15 years we only have about 30 something people donating to us on a monthly basis despite everything we have achieved? This reality means we must have at least one successful fundraiser yearly. And this year has been terrible.

I had even reconciled myself with the fact that the charity may have to discontinue because I simply can’t go on like this. Only I know what this work has cost me personally, physically and mentally.

And then I went to an event and heard the founder of Malaika speak. Malaika does similar work in the Congo! Eve the hip hop artist is an ambassador and she has opened doors! She spoke about the need and the gap that charities like ours face. She reminded me that I was once one of those children who relied on support to get an education. She reminded me that my story could have ended differently if I hadn’t received an education.

In that room I wiped away my own tears, a mixture of gratitude to those who supported my mum in ensuring that all her five children got an education when my father died. I wiped away the tears of frustration and failure for failing to lead this charity to where it needs to be so that the funds for our yearly work isn’t such a battle. I wiped tears of bitterness, yes bitterness, at those who see the plight and look away. I wiped away my own selfpity, because feeling sorry for the responsibility I shoulder will not pay these children fees and keep them in the safe haven of our resource center.

So here I am again, asking you to support this work. Support our children. Support my effort. Support our volunteers. Because there just aren’t enough of us doing this work and the need has escalated!

Your money will help us keep our children in school. It will cover our rent and the running cost of the center. Every penny counts and I thank you in advance, I know these are hard times but it is even harder for our children.