Driven by the need to promote social good and human welfare particularly among the vulnerable, a 19-year-old US-based Nigerian girl, Michelle Ayomide Soneye, has launched out her philanthropic gestures in Abuja, the nation’s capital with the distribution of clothing and other items to about 200 less privileged children.
Her intervention debuted in Apo Dutse community in the FCT about three years after she started out in Lagos to mark her visits to Nigeria.
Persecondnews reports that Miss Soneye’s initiative — None Should be Naked — had in 2019 and 2020 donated tons of clothes, shoes and women items to Pacelli School for the Blind in Surulere, Lagos.
None Should Be Naked is an initiative that supports poor communities with clothes and shoes, as well as the donation of food items, clothes and menstrual products to shelters and orphanages in Nigeria.
Speaking to Perscondnews shortly after distributing the items on Monday in Abuja, the Founder/Executive Director of the U.S.-based NGO, Michelle Ayomide Soneye, born and bred in the United States, said the mission of the organization is to help the vulnerable and less privileged in the society.
“Our driving passion and goal is to ensure no one is left naked,” she said
According to Soneye, the right to adequate clothing is an alienable human right which should be given the necessary support by all.
“The health, dignity, and lives of a range of vulnerable people can be at risk when they are not adequately clothed.”
She said giving back to the community by targeting those who require the basic necessities can foster trust and growth in a community, and ultimately help change and transform lives.
She said: “I and my sister, Yemi, collect clothes from neighbors, teachers, and community members in the church and we package them and give them to people in need.
“We are also so passionate about climate change and saving the environment and so we would watch documentaries and we will see lots of clothes going to trash cans.
“So we decided that instead of putting these clothes in trash cans, we can give them to people who need them and save the environment.
“We started the NGO in 2019, but we had to pause due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Asides Nigeria, we hope to expand in the future to other neighboring African countries, but this is the third time we are doing this donation in Nigeria.”
Also speaking on the occasion, one of Miss Soneye’s supporters, an IT personnel based in Maryland, U.S., Austin Otule, lauded her vision, saying the donor loves clothing humanity.
“She started it when she was a little girl. She tries to make sure that nobody goes naked and that is why I’m here to support her. I wish everyone can emulate her.”
One of the beneficiaries, Hajara Abdulmumuni, expressed appreciation to the donor.
“Thank you so much for the gifts you gave us, we are very happy.’’
Another beneficiary, Tina Isah, also said: “We appreciate what you people have done for us. May Almighty God reward you and give you more.’’
A student, Monday Solomon, who was also full of gratitude to the teenage donor, prayed to God may to reward her for the kind gesture.
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