"Santa Comes To Visit" Initiative Puts Smiles On Families Faces This Yuletide Season

Christmas is a time to share goodwill and spread love. Save Our Needy reached out to widows, single mothers and struggling mothers this Christmas through our annual Christmas initiative entitled "Santa Comes To Visit." This is the 3rd year of the initiative and the theme was "Fill A Goodie Bag Campaign."

Verdant Zeal Marketing and Communications Company organized an Xmas party for some past beneficiaries of SON projects as well as the SON team

The Save Our Needy team visited the homes of lucky beneficiaries armed with goodie bags filled with food items, clothing, toys and toiletries. The initiative aims at restoring hope and smiles in the homes of the downtrodden during the yuletide season.

Some of the gifts SON donated to disadvantaged families

Marvella Odili (CEO, Save Our Needy) playing Santa to the Nwabueze family

Time to dig into the goodie bag

This year, more than 30 families were visited due to the long list of requests for assistance received. The beneficiaries were selected after careful investigation to ascertain their claims of being needy people. The women who benefitted from the program are going through a lot of hardship. Two of the women visited presently live in their shops because they cannot afford to pay house rent.

Mrs. Adeola and her daughters were very happy to get a surprise visit from the SON team

They exuded so much excitement as they admired their gifts

Mrs. Esther Bassey and her children were happy to see Santa

Lots of goodies for every member of the family

Mrs. Bassey excitedly checking out the goodies in her goodie bag

Meet some of the families visited:

Mrs Adeola, who has single-handedly been taking care of her 5 children ever since her husband abandoned them with no means of survival. Most times they all end up sleeping in her shop. They barely have food to eat and worse still, they were sent packing recently due to her inability to pay the rent.

Ms Esifa opening gifts for herself and her son

Mrs Opeyemi presently lives with her aged parents. She has been responsible for the upkeep of her 3 children for the past 3 years since she left her marriage due to constant domestic violence.

Ifeoluwa's mom ( a widow) was very happy to show off her new dress

Jerry Odili, Save Our Needy Program Manager, with Ifeoluwa's family

Lots of smiles as Ifeoluwa surprised her mom with our visit

Mrs. Nwabueze is a widow who lost her husband last year after a long-standing illness. The illness rendered her family penniless and now they live from hand to mouth in a shoddy one-room apartment.

Mrs. Ubah admiring a lovely dress for her daughter, little Nicole

Mrs. Ubah and her little ones were overjoyed

Mrs Ayeyemi was a beneficiary last year. She is a young widow who lost her husband to cancer. We reached out to her again this year because her situation has gotten worse. She has relocated with her 3 children from Ikotun to a very remote part of Lagos because of her inability to pay the high rent.

So much joy in the Ayeyemi household as Santa came to visit

Little Simi admiring one of the dresses given to her

Little Simi shows off another beautiful outfit

The Ayeyemi children with their gift of toys and food items

Mrs. Bassey, a seamstress, is a widow who practically lives in her shop with her 3 children because she can't afford to pay for an apartment.

Rachael expressed so much happiness as she got gifts for herself and her daughter

Opening presents

Rachael was so happy to see another beautiful dress for her daughter, Emmanuella

After a week long of activities, the SON team rounded up visits on December 27th. Special thanks to Verdant Zeal Marketing and Communications (International) company, who went all out to get donations for this initiative under their ''Good Cheer Initiative''. We also thank the Shoprite Community Network, Keystone Bank and PEP Stores for their wonderful support.

Read below some of the appreciative messages from beneficiaries of the "Santa Comes To Visit" initiative. These beneficiaries are blog visitors (BVs) from Stella Dimoko Korkus blog: www.stelladimokokorkus.com

Nne nwa28 December 2016 at 14:26

a big shoutout to Save Our Needy, these people put a smile on a face in spite of hardship and recession.

they came over to my home and gifted me a lot of gifts for Christmas celebration(that was on 24).

now today they called me over to come get a box of clothes for i and my kids. they even foresaw my forth coming job next year and gave me corporate wears.

just as you have put smiles on my face this season, turned my sorrow to happiness, may God locate your every need. thank you, thank you, thank you. may you never know lack throughout your life.

Anonymous28 December 2016 at 15:26

This is to say a big thank you to SAVE OUR NEEDY....am too siprised to say anything, I wasnt even qualified for the giveaway becoz am not based in lag....but the took the pain of going to do waybill just for me and my unborn....may God bless and reward you all....Stella words just can't describe your person...all I can say is God will bless and reward you...my husband was shocked to see the gifts....hahahahah at last my everyday browsing paid off... According to him...
God bless you all

....from BV joy A...Stella you should know who.

Anonymous28 December 2016 at 14:02

I wanna say a very big thank you to save our needy for making this Christmas celebration a memorable one for my son. It's not been easy as a single mum. I benefitted from them last year. So this year, I was contacted again even without applying for the giveaway and i was blown away by the massive love shown to my son and I. Mere words can't express how grateful I am. I got clothes, shoes, rice, vegetable oil, toy, noodles even frozen chicken and some other things. Thank you save our needy, may God continue to bless and uplift you. Thank you Stella for the medium being used to touch people's lives. May God bless you too. Attached are pictures. I'm sorry they are not clear.

Bv Blessing

Keystone Bank Partners With Save Our Needy on "Santa Comes To Visit" Initiative

The CSR team and staff of Keystone Bank as a way of supporting Save Our Needy's Xmas initiative entitled "Santa Comes To Visit" presented a huge goodie bag to Save Our Needy CEO, Marvella Odili, at their headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Marvella Odili, CEO, Save Our Needy (middle)

The goodie bag

All items donated will be given to beneficiaries, who are mostly widows and single-mothers, of the "Santa Comes To Visit" initiative. This act is to make the season merry and memorable for them as they cannot afford to celebrate.

Surprise visits will be made to the homes of selected lucky beneficiaries. The initiative, which is in its 3rd year has brought joy and cheer to many homes during the yuletide season. Food items, clothing, toys and toiletries have been freely given to disadvantaged women and their children since the inception of this initiative.

Join Us On ''Santa Comes To Visit'' Initiative

Christmas is almost here! Imagine the expectations on the faces of innocent children as they hear Christmas carols everywhere they go. 

As you celebrate or prepare to celebrate this season, don't just spare a thought, DO something remarkable for someone who won't be able to celebrate without your help. Yes, life is tough but remember that some have it tougher. 

Join us on our Xmas initiative entitled "Santa Comes To Visit." Show love to disadvantaged widows and single-mothers by making financial or material donations in order to make this initiative a huge success.

THANK YOU!

Happy holidays!!!

''Santa Comes To Visit'' Initiative Is Here Again!

Christmas is just around the corner! It is a season of merriment. It is a time to share and show love.

 

 

The year has not been very easy due to the unstable economic situation in the country. However, some people have had it worse than others. Count your blessings; show love and care to the less privileged by joining us as we embark on the 3rd edition of "Santa Comes To Visit" initiative. 

The "Santa Comes To Visit", Fill A Goodie Bag Campaign, an annual initiative of Save Our Needy, aims at bringing joy and cheer to the homes of the less fortunate during the Yuletide season.

Widows and single mothers are the hardest hit when there is an economic crisis. Join us to put smiles on their faces and the faces of their children this Christmas.

Surprise visits will be made to the homes of lucky beneficiaries who will be picked after careful selection and consideration. 

 

 

Happy children

Save Our Needy plays Santa

Some of the beneficiaries of past editions

 

Let's make this Christmas a memorable one for the disadvantaged in our society.

You can support this initiative by donating food items, toiletries, new or gently used clothing, shoes, toys (educational and stuffed toys) and schoolbags.

 

 

Donated items

 

Financial donations can be made to:

Save Our Needy Organisation

0168556004

Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank).

Kindly contact us for more information: 

Tel: 09025600734, 08151546111

Email: saveourneedy@gmail.com

Website: www.saveourneedy.org

Thank you and God bless you.

URGENT APPEAL TO REHABILITATE VICTIMS OF BOKO HARAM

For more than 7 years, Boko Haram, a dreaded militant group, has terrorized Nigerians particularly Northern Nigeria. People in North East Nigeria live in constant fear, today.

  

Since 2009, Boko Haram's increasing radicalization has led to the displacement of 2.3 million people, mainly women and children. At least 250,000 people have fled Nigeria for neighbouring countries such as Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

Boko Haram killed more than 6,600 people in 2014. The terrorist group has carried out mass abductions, destroyed schools, houses, entire villages and separated countless families. In April 2014, more than 250 girls were abducted from their school in Chibok, Borno by Boko Haram because they oppose western education. They are against girls going to school and will do everything within their power to stop all those who go against their will. Public outcry gave rise to the ‘’Bring Back Our Girls’’ campaign. To date, only a handful of these unfortunate, innocent girls deprived of their basic rights are free because they were able to escape. The only one found is already a child mother.

It is not only in war-torn countries heart-wrenching images depicting very malnourished children with their ribs sticking out, can be seen. A visit to the IDP camp in Bama, which shares a border with Sambisa Forest will break your heart. Women and children who have been fortunate to be rescued from the claws of Boko Haram by the Nigerian Army are dying of starvation and lack medical supplies. Some of them are at the point of death. The Nigerian government cannot afford to take adequate care of the IDPs and unfortunately, people avoid those communities due to the high level of insecurity. 

Victims of Boko Haram attacks suffer from malnutrition due to extreme poverty

A malnourished mother breastfeeding her child

This child is in dire need of nourishing food and medical supplies

Your donation can save this innocent child from dying before he is five.

 The children particularly are extremely malnourished and many die preventable deaths.

Victims of Boko Haram attacks who have been rescued urgently need food and medical supplies, clothing and other basic necessities. They also need counseling to help ease their trauma before they are reunited with their families. Schools need to be built in the camp so children can prepare for the future. Women need to be empowered to become self-reliant. Save Our Needy wishes to boost the efforts of the Borno State government by rehabilitating victims.

A young girl looking up to the future

 Please support Save Our Needy as we embark on this noble cause to touch the lives of all those who have been deprived of their basic rights to live and get a better future.

Kindly visit our website to send in your donations: www.saveourneedy.org

You can also send in your donations to:

Save Our Needy Organisation

0168556004

Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank)

Nigeria.

Your contribution will make a HUGE difference.

THANK YOU!!!

Join us in our quest to end extreme poverty in Africa!

Not everyone is fortunate to see their dreams come true. Many Africans still go to bed hungry today. Living in extreme poverty has led to many sad cases of child abuse and domestic violence; people are dying from preventable diseases; the rate of maternal and child mortality is increasing daily and unemployment is at an all time high. Some of us need that little push to help make our dreams a reality and escape poverty.

Save Our Needy is primarily focused on ending extreme poverty through the promotion of education for vulnerable and disadvantaged children as well as youth and women empowerment. We also raise awareness for killer diseases including AIDS and malaria.

We are calling on all kind-hearted, generous individuals, companies and organizations sharing our vision to kindly support our various causes and programs.

Kindly visit our website to know more about our activities: www.saveourneedy.org

Follow us on Twitter: @SaveOurNeedy

Like Us on Facebook: facebook.com/SaveOurNeedy

You can send us an email: saveourneedy@gmail.com
Call 09025600734 or 08151546111.

Your donations in cash or kind will make a HUGE difference.

Please send all cash donations to:

Save Our Needy Organisation
0168556004
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank)
Nigeria.

Kindly check our website for other options of making donations or contributing to make our projects attainable.

THANK YOU!!!

Plea For Support For Mr. Olanrewaju

Esther's uncle, Mr. Olanrewaju suffered a stroke in January this year. The stroke has left him unable to speak and use his limbs. He is presently hospitalized. His family cannot afford to pay his hospital bills because his wife, Mrs. Bola Olanrewaju is just a petty trader who barely makes 500 naira (less than $2) a day. The couple have four children; two boys and two girls aged 5years - 17 years.
They live at Muhammad street, Jesu nbo, Etegbin road, Shibiri, Ojo, Lagos.

Mrs. Bola Olanrewaju with the financial support given by Save Our Needy

Save Our Needy reached out to Mrs.Olanrewaju and her children after hearing about his plight from his niece, Esther. The SON team visited them at their abode and donated food items, clothing and cash to help ease their pains. Mr. Olanrewaju was absent because he is still in the hospital.

Mrs. Olanrewaju and Esther

The family desperately needs help. Mrs. Olanrewaju hopes to expand her business so she can cater particularly for her sick husband and children. She needs to be economically empowered. Two of the children are presently out of school due to lack of funds to pay their school fees. Their future is uncertain. They need to be educated so they can be better prepared for the future.

Please support this family. They need your help. You can send in your donations to:

Save Our Needy Organisation
0168556004
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank)

Kindly visit our website to see other methods of donation: www.saveourneedy.org

''A little effort goes a long way.''

Thank you and God bless.

Marvella Odili, CEO, Save Our Needy in a selfie with Esther

Testimonies From "Santa Comes To Visit" Initiative

The initiative "Santa Comes To Visit" may have come and gone but it remains indelible in the minds of all those who benefited from our generosity. Lucky families were asked to apply for the giveaway via popular Nigerian blogs: Stella Dimoko Korkus (SDK) blog and Nairaland. They were asked to state reasons why they needed the support and also give their personal details.

Testimonies abound of how happy we made families last Yuletide season; from December 21st to December 31st 2015.

Below are happy narratives from some of the beneficiaries:

Ms Blessing Esifa (single mother) from Ifako, Gbagada-

THANK YOU SAVE OUR NEEDY

I wanna say a BIG THANK YOU to save our needy NGO for putting a smile on my face.
A post was made on Dec 12th in IHN for Santa giveaway which I applied for because I'm a single
mum with a 3yr old son. I've been solely responsible for my son's upkeep right from birth.
My help finally located me through save our needy NGO. A man and a woman came to my
house with a massive Ghana must go bag filled with lots of goodies ranging from noodles,
groundnut oil,milk,cornflakes, toothpaste,cream, soap, sugar, jam, tin tomatoes, five alive, a
bedtime story book, a pair of shoes, frozen chicken, rice and plenty clothes. I burst into tears
when I saw those things especially the clothes because as at time, there was no foodstuffs at home neither did my son have clothes to wear as the little clothes he has were already faded and small. I'm so grateful. Thanks a million for putting a smile on my face. May God enrich save our
needy NGO and bring more sponsors that will fund it.
Thanks a lot Stella for making this happen. Wishing everybody a very merry Christmas and a
prosperous 2016 ahead.


Ms Aduralere Odeyemi (single mother) from Aradagun, Badagry-

SAYING THE LOUDEST THANK YOU TO SAVE OUR NEEDY
Madam Stellla ooooooo,save our needy came to my house live in badagry o, they brought
indomies, clothes for my son, toys, shoes, rice, and all sorts..... oh dunno how
to say thank you, pleassssssseee help me post this in appreciation o!  thanks so much.

Mrs Kazeem (widow) & Bola from Barracks, Badagry-

SAVE OUR NEEDY THANK YOU OOOOOO
I want to appreciate save our needy for the love they showed to my friend Mrs Kazeem whose husband was killed by boko haram in bornu state.I applied for giveaway on her behalf last
year,they came and gave her many gifts in which i was not left out.This year,they also remembered her even without applying for their giveaway.They brought foodstuffs,provision,clothes,a package from shoprite and so many other things that i can't mention.I Was also not left out as they gave me gifts also.May God bless you abundantly in jesus name,you shall go from glory to glory and from strength to strength.many thanks to SDK for this platform,may God bless you abundantly in Jesus name.
from bola

Mrs. Abiodun Adedayo (widow) from Ikotun-

APPRECIATION TO SAVE OUR NEEDY
Compliments of the Season to you, Stella. I say kudos to you for the good work that you do and I pray that God reward you exceedingly with good success. Stella, I write to appreciate the Save Our
Needy Organisation for their kindness and Love towards my Family and I. They visited us
and came with beautiful designer shoes,dresses,foodstuff,beverages. It is a pity that
my phone cannot attach pictures. It is indeed true that God still rules in the affairs of men. We would be celebrating Christmas happier since about five years. Our prayer is that d organisation grows from
strength to strength and that  God grant the hearts desires of the initiators and contributors of
the project. We are grateful.

Chinwe Adeyinka Ayeyemi (widow) from Ikotun-

THANK YOU TO SAVE OUR NEEDY

Stella nwunye Korkus, I hail you oooo, you have been saving lives since long time ago, and today am so grateful to you for using this platform to reach me a poor widow like me. I saw the post on your blog and I apply for it.
Save our needy organization visited me and my children today and brought to us, foodstuffs,cloths, beverages, books,shoes, as if they knew I was not having Handbag, lol, they also brought for me and so many other things. They are so nice to me and my children, so friendly and fun to be with. What can I say than to say thank you Lord., thank you Stella, it's only God that can reward you, thank you save our needy, you will never run dry, you will grow from strength to strength, Am short of words. Am so grateful to you.  May God bless you.

Ms Marian Onu (single mother) from Iba-

THANK YOU SAVE OUR NEEDY

Save Our Needy may God continue to bless u guys for putting a smile on my face, and for the beautiful cloth u gave to my girls, the foodstuff and toys u gave to my kids. May d blessings of d Lord never depart from u guys.

"Santa Comes To Visit" initiative

The SON team made the last Yuletide season memorable for 15 disadvantaged widows and single mothers as well as their kids as we paid them surprise visits in their homes armed with big goody bags, from December 21st-December 31st 2015.

An excited family receive the SON team in their home at Ikotun, Lagos.

Mrs. Ayeyemi, who lost her husband to cancer last July happily poses with her kids

So much excitement and smiles as the SON team reveal the gifts

The SON team gladly plays Santa to Mrs. Ayeyemi and her family.

Opeyemi and Eniola, already deeply engrossed in the story books donated to them.

 It was as much fun as it was emotional as a widow who lost her husband to cancer, a widow who lost her husband to Boko Haram, a single mom who never had any form of support since she birthed her son, another single mom, victim of domestic violence and so many others shared their stories with the SON team. They were given gifts of food items, clothing, shoes, toys and toiletries.

Little Sarah and her brother strike a pose with their new toys

Little Sarah (5), shyly shows off her new top

Ms Onu, a single mother living in Iba, Lagos, shows appreciation as she receives gifts for herself and her kids

Little Chantal is happy to get new dresses for Christmas and the New Year celebrations

The smile on the faces of the kids as well as their mothers was so rewarding and priceless.

Mrs. Kazeem, a widow who lost her husband to Boko Haram attack, is so grateful we played Santa to her and her family

Mrs. Erayoma, a victim of domestic violence, was very thrilled to receive the SON team in her family home in faraway Ikorodu.

Little Opeyemi and her siblings are grateful to be celebrating Xmas again after their dad abandoned them 3 years ago.

                   Ms Aduralere, a single mother, excitedly unveils gifts she received from the SON team

All smiles as 3 year old Chibike got unexpected gifts for the yuletide season.

 

Ms Blessing, a single mom from Ifako, Gbagada, Lagos, was so overjoyed that she teared up

"Santa Comes To Visit" is an annual project initiated by Save Our Needy to provide relief to the disadvantaged during the Christmas season and to usher in the New Year celebrations.

Gifts of food items, clothing, shoes, toys and toiletries are donated to needy widows and single mothers during this period.

Mrs. Adedayo, a widow, who recently survived gunshot wounds from a robbery attack was really happy to welcome the SON team

A very big THANK YOU to Shoprite Community Network, Verdant Zeal Marketing and Communications Company, Madrew's, Baby Crib (23, Idimu road, Egbeda bus-stop, Lagos) and Stella Dimoko Korkus blog, for generously supporting us.