By Gbenga Awomodu
“If your dreams
don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough.” – Lowell Lundstr
Exactly
a month ago today, it was my birthday and I enjoyed accolades and well wishes
from friends and fans – even though I am far from being a celebrity. I
appreciate all the kind words, prayers, FB messages, twitter shout-outs, and
much more. God bless you all! Today’s post is an attempt to tap the left side
left of my chest and whisper to self, “All
izz vell!”
At the
beginning of March 2012, I wrote: “Over-analysis often leads to inertia, and
inertia could send your lofty, achievable dreams to an early
grave. Take charge today; take one more progressive step towards your destination.
Expand your thinking
and leave
your comfort zone. Grab some courage.” That particular blog post was
inspired by a personal struggle – in fact, it was primarily a note to self. But
according to a popular saying: those who can, do; those who can’t, teach.
Theory is easy. Let’s get practical!
Remember,
I mentioned a project I had been working on for a while? If you have been to
some of the interiors of Nigeria, as much as you might enjoy abundance of
nature’s gifts, food and the likes, the lack of certain infrastructure soon
makes you miss the urban comfort. I discovered a remote community in the Buruku
Local Government Area of Benue State last January, during an Evangelism
outreach as a member of the Nigeria Christian Corpers’ Fellowship. We did as
much as we could. Beyond preaching, we gave relief materials, provided medical
services, and engaged in social activities like bathing the kids, cutting their
hair, plaiting the women and girls’ hair, amongst other things. The encounter
stirred up something more in our hearts and some members decided to return
sometime later to attempt sustainable community development projects. Two
people have built a block of three classrooms each, but much more is still
needed to bring required attention to this community that lacks electricity.
Since
February 2012, when I started making findings and eventually decided on how I
could contribute in tangible ways, it has been quite an experience. I have been
involved in raising awareness for charity in the past, even here on
BellaNaija.com, but I must say I commend the efforts of those who go out of
their way to speak for people who need a voice to plead their cause. Some
progress is being made in my bid to ensure a primary health centre is
established in the Nongov community of Buruku Local Government Area, where
there is a dire need for such infrastructure. Here are some of my lessons,
albeit funny.
Firstly, you may be too busy to write a beautiful, perfect prose that would move the readers enough to donate. I tell you, ‘begging’ for money is one of the hardest things you could do on earth! In the process advocating, ‘begging’ for money, paying regular visits to the project site, follow-up on letters, attending meetings, and conducting further research, there is obviously not much time left for writing such prose!
Firstly, you may be too busy to write a beautiful, perfect prose that would move the readers enough to donate. I tell you, ‘begging’ for money is one of the hardest things you could do on earth! In the process advocating, ‘begging’ for money, paying regular visits to the project site, follow-up on letters, attending meetings, and conducting further research, there is obviously not much time left for writing such prose!
Next:
Beware of the daydream. You are never more susceptible to daydreaming than when
you have traversed the whole city with few or no positive responses. While you
are waiting at the gallery of the legislative chambers, or the reception of
that important person’s elaborate office, you might just slip into a trance.
Mr. Bill Gates shakes you and hands you a cheque of XXX billion dollars to go
change the world, and put an end to poverty and malaria. Someone taps your shoulder,
and you realise you are not Aliko Dangote either. Even if you were, you need to
stay in business… Then you go to another relevant Agency in Abuja to seek
support. You get some technical support – a government-approved design, but no,
“we do not give financial support in this context”, they tell you. You still
smile; briefly, because the director is so kind he refunds your return
expenses and even adds extra to get you something to eat. Food is the least of your worries
at the moment, but you find solace in his assurance that you have a very good
project idea and have done very well in articulating it in your proposal.
He gives some more fatherly advice and tips on how you could still raise the
required funds… As you return to your base, you lose your wallet
and your ID
card, but realise too late. That’s more pain!
When
next you call that politician who told you to keep eyes on the dailies and ears
to the ground for announcement of the 2012 state budget, he says he has breezed
through it, it’s a nice project, but he doesn’t have the money. You try to
plead further, whether he could give in trenches and bits to ensure progress,
but you soon lose him – he cuts the call. Even when next you call him two weeks
later to announce the little progress, now that the budget has been passed, he
cuts the call again before the conversation takes off properly. The cloud
gathers in
your eyes, it’s about to rain, but you suppress the tear drops. It would
not happen again – the hot tears that welled when you made your request
formal at the cement factory in Gboko. Begging is painful, and you make up your mind
the umpteenth time to work hard and become very wealthy and have more than
enough to give. The average human is hardly satisfied, but you gave these people your word –
that you would speak for them and ignite a fire in them to stand up and take
their destiny in their own hands. They need this push, this big helping hand.
You do not have much strength; you only have a small hand, but you grab some
courage. You return to the people of the world who care enough to share the
little they have with others in order to make the world a better place for all
to live in. You return to your keyboard – that feature will be ready,
very soon!
About the Author
Gbenga Awomodu is an
Editorial Assistant at Bainstone Ltd./BellaNaija.com. When he is not reading or
writing, Gbenga is listening to good music or playing the piano. Follow him on
Twitter: @gbengaawomodu
| Gbenga’s Notebook: www.gbengaawomodu.com
| Facebook Page: Gbenga Awomodu
This was first Published on www.bellanaija.com
photo credit:onbecomingaman.com
1 comment:
I just Read the Fundraising Diary from Gbenga Awomodu
Apologize for making mistakes.
But don’t make apologies for being a man...onbecomingaman.com
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