NGO Celebrates Children in Underserved Lagos Communities

Continuing in its tradition to create memorable experiences for children in underserved localities during the festive period, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Hoffen Project, on Tuesday organised a Christmas party comprising games, music and food for the children in Otumara-Ilaje community, Ebute Metta, Lagos.

Additionally, the NGO distributed clothes, toys and school supplies to the children in the community.

Created in 2018, its founder Oluwatooni Akinola, said the NGO’s objective was to give hope to areas often ignored by charity groups.

“We realised that at the end of the year, most orphanages are remembered and recognised by organisations and individuals, but we have remote areas, and slums that are worse off and ignored,” Akinola said.

“We then decided at the end of each year, we will try to make them happy. That is what Hoffen is about, hope for the less-privileged. We come with clothes, and food and give them a good time.”

The 2023 event is the sixth edition of the initiative, which had previously been held in Makoko, Iwaya, Oworo, Apapa-Ajegunle, and Agboyi areas in Lagos.

A member of Hoffen’s board of trustees, Tinuoye Akinola, said the organisation’s long-term goal is to be a facilitator of lasting impact on communities.

“We have future plans to look at what the community lacks and try to provide it for them. Maybe water, electricity. We are thinking of the bigger picture that the community, not just the children, will benefit from.”