Initiative for Sustainable Development Goals for Her, a non-profit organization, spread holiday cheer to women through its 1000forHer December Food Drive. The island edition of the program was held on December 21, 2024, at the Oak House Church compound in Oniru, Lekki, Lagos, followed by the mainland edition on December 22.
The founder of SDGforHer, Hannah Ayilaran-Omon, explained the approach of the drive, stating, “We distributed 500 packages on the island and 500 on the mainland the next day. Contrary to popular belief, not everyone on the island is affluent. Many people live in challenging conditions. While several organizations focus on areas like Makoko and Iwaya on the mainland, we aimed to extend our reach to both mainland and island communities.”
Highlighting the impact of the initiative, Ayilaran-Omon stressed its ongoing nature and expansion. She said, “Our December food drive project has been running for a year. We have directly supported over 2,000 women through various initiatives. This December, with our food drive, we aimed to assist 1,000 women by providing them with essential food items to sustain their families during the festive season. Given the current difficulties, we believe it is crucial to support women and vulnerable individuals in society.”
She emphasized that the food drive served a dual purpose, offering financial and emotional relief to the beneficiaries. Ayilaran-Omon added, “Ensuring families have food eases financial burdens and provides emotional stability. This is not a one-time effort; we conduct such drives regularly. This marks our second Christmas food distribution. Last year, we reached 100 women; this year, our goal was 1,000. We aim to continue expanding our reach and impact.”
Ayilaran-Omon also recognized the importance of partnerships in the success of these initiatives. She mentioned, “We collaborated with other organizations for this drive. Working as a non-profit, we understand the significance of partnerships in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. We encourage more organizations and individuals to join us in supporting women, our communities, and empowering families.”