Filmmaker | Child Mentor | Voice Artist | Product Model | Director, Clare Cares Foundation
My journey has been an interesting one. I unofficially started my humanitarian journey from school days, I was always concerned about people, I hated seeing any of my friends sent out of school because of fees or tuition. I shared things with people around me. At some point I was raped on two different occasions, it never made sense to me until I was able to heal and then I realized I could channel my energy into helping young girls through the healing process of rape. Although it took me 10 years to speak out, I’m glad I did and I am using my experience to help others come out of the hurt and trauma. I use motion pictures to tell compelling stories that drive a message of hope. My NGO was registered 3 years ago because I really needed to be convinced within me that it was the right path. So far, I have reached out to more than 3000 children / sending them back to school, feeding communities, organizing pep talks, online awareness on relevant topics, I volunteer for organizations with the same vision.
What were the biggest initial hurdles and how did you overcome them?
The initial hurdle was fear- fear of getting it right, fear of consistency, fear of no support, it was so strong that each day I asked myself if I could do this, but over time, I grew stronger and researched more.
What books are you currently reading?
The Idealist’s Survival Kit: 75 simple ways to avoid burnout
By Alessandra Pigni
The ABC of Cyber safety 2.0; safety tips for Cyber Parents
By CHIOMA Chigozie-Okwum.
Did you ever deal with contention from your family and friends concerning your pursuits?
How did you handle it? What would you do differently in hindsight?
Not at all. I had everyone around me support me from day one which made it easier for me to start and still makes it easier to keep running.
What would you say was the single most influential factor in your success?
Sincerely, children on the streets who I know are vulnerable to all sorts of evil and malicious oppression.
What do you know today that you wish you would have known when you first got started? Speaking up and standing for what is right.
What advice would you give to an upcoming youth or talents locally and internationally?
Sometimes, it might be difficult to figure out what to do or how to start, but start anyway. Be prepared for the storm, it’s never rosy especially at the beginning, the tendency to want to quit comes in each time. Just start! Fail and re-strategize. Understand you are not in competition with anyone. Make realistic goals and set realistic projects. It is one day at a time and in all that you do, seek the face of God-nothing absolutely beats this.
