Programme Action: SI Osogbo, Nigeria
SI Burnley member Marlies Oloyede and her Nigerian born husband, Ajax, were warmly welcomed by SI Osogbo members and other Soroptimists on one of her visits to Nigeria.
A few years ago German born Marlies was busy knitting scarves and raised over £200 to give to SI Osogbo which she sought out after becoming a member of SI Burnley. She and her husband had previously supported an SI Osogbo Mother and Baby unit initiative. Marlies and Ajax were so impressed by the work of the Osogbo Soroptimists at a school for disabled children that they brought the needs of the young pupils to the attention of the Burnley club members. In 2006 the Burnley club had a quiz night and raised over £500 which was increased to £580 due to the generosity of club members.
In May 2007, Ajax returned to Nigeria and presented the money to the Osogbo Soroptimists to support their work at the school.
The 2007/9 president Barbara Murray was keen to continue the support to the school during her year of office and scheduled another quiz night which added a further £500. Marlies kindly offered to host a series of lunches for the club members and friends to raise even more funds for this deserving school. We asked President Funmi of SI Osogbo what aids and adaptations would help the young pupils and, as a result, we have also posted off a number of guide canes, hearing aids and, to mark International Literacy Day, a number of Braille books.
Ajax again returned to Nigeria last Summer to hand over the proceeds of the previous twelve months of fundraising. When Marlies flew in to join him. the Osogbo Soroptimists asked her to formally hand over the gifts which they had received from us.
In her inaugaral speech, IPP Lynn Hepworth said she was keen to support the provision of clean water and sanitary facilies at the school. Marlies did a feasibility study to ascertain whether it would be possible but, on her return, she reported her findings and it was an unlikely possibility. However, Burnley club members still organised a Quiz night to raise funds for the school which raised over £600 and a Burnley club member continues to send out items for the disabled children. We heard very recently (June 2009) that President Funmi had received the latest donations from Marlies’ husband, Ajax, and they have received every one of the parcels which have been sent to them. As a result, they have been able to supply the hearing aids, white sticks and other aids or adaptations not only to the children at the school which SI Osogbo support but also to ELEVEN other schools in the State of Osun.