Lugbe is home to a diverse Nigerian population featuring a contradicting dichotomy of affluence and poverty that exists side by side. Our end-of-the-year outreach in this overlooked area was designed to uplift some of the most vulnerable residents of Lugbe–the second area to benefit from this outreach after Kabusa.
This initiative, as part of the foundation’s broader end-of-year outreach program, sought to address the immediate needs of low-income earners and widows living in the slum communities of Lugbe, particularly since the coming Christmas season is often a challenging period for these women, as the pressure to provide for their families increases. The desire for Christmas food, Christmas clothes—and every other item that Christmas can qualify—iis a flame that revives in the hearts of children (and adults alike) every ‘ember season. Apart from this, the last quarter of the year is known to be marked by notorious inflation in market prices for basic commodities and otherwise.
Understanding these difficulties, we set out to bring relief, support, and a glimmer of hope to the people of Lugbe. Our primary focus during this outreach was on the widows and low-income earners (mostly women) who are the backbone of their families although with severely limited access to resources, steady employment or government support. In the course of this end-of-year initiative, the Benzone Foundation identified a slum area within Lugbe. With a focus on welfare, we were able to support over 50 women (a group predominantly comprised of widows and low-income earners struggling to provide for their families).
This support materialised in the form of 50 bags of rice, 20 cartons of Indomie and vegetable oil as well as other essential foodstuffs and seasonings required to make a decent meal. The idea was that each pack would be sufficient to prepare a meal without having to outsource additional items. Although these items seemed basic, the expressions of gratitude on the faces of the women who received them told us otherwise–beyond the substantial commodities was the gift of lifted burdens and some respite from the worry of where their next meal would come from. These are women who comprise a demographic that often struggles in silence, navigating the intersecting challenges of poverty, gender inequality, and the loss of their spouses. Without the support of a partner, many widows face discrimination and isolation, particularly in patriarchal societies where they may be denied inheritance rights or economic opportunities. For these women, the simple act of being acknowledged and supported by the Benzone Foundation was liberating.
As always, our approach to philanthropy revolves around a community approach to building lasting change through lasting relationships. At Lugbe, this approach was represented by 12 volunteers from the BDF who engaged directly with the women of Lugbe’s slum community, and through this, the foundation was able to garner insights on better ways to help and support the community.
More than the distribution of food, the BDF planted seeds of hope while laying the groundwork for further community engagement and development. The benevolent efforts of the Benzone Foundation may have alleviated immediate concerns but we are not relenting in our vision, which is to contribute even more to the overall betterment of the Lugbe community by eliminating the factors which keep them locked in cycles of depravity and poverty. Our work is a reminder that, no matter how large the challenges may seem, even the smallest acts of kindness have a profound impact on the lives of those who need it most.
In the end, Benzone Foundation’s outreach in Lugbe was not just about providing food; it was about bringing hope, creating connections, and laying the foundation for a future where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.
