This Ramadan, I had the privilege of leading an initiative that truly embodies the spirit of giving. Growing up in Ilorin, a Muslim-dominated community, I’ve always seen Ramadan as a time of reflection, generosity, and community. For me, kindness doesn’t have any boundaries. It goes beyond religion, and it’s about showing compassion for one another, especially during a time meant for togetherness and gratitude.
This year, I wanted to give back to the community that shaped me, especially to those who may be struggling. We set out to distribute food to thousands of people across Ilorin, including locations like Adeta Roundabout, Gbaga Community, Stadium, Tipper Garage, Oja Tuntun Market, and many other places. The response from the community was humbling and inspiring.
From the very start, I knew this would be a Herculean task, distributing food to so many people in such a short period of time is no easy feat. However, I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from volunteers. Many people came together to help pack the food items, ensuring that each package was carefully prepared for the families who needed it most.
The volunteers worked tirelessly, organizing everything and ensuring that we could reach as many people as possible. Seeing everyone pull together made me realize that this isn’t just a one-man effort; it’s a collective action. Like in football, the team makes the dream work.
Each person received their package with smiles, and heartfelt prayers. It was powerful to see how grateful people were, not just for the food, but for the reminder that they are not alone. I was deeply moved by the prayers of the people we helped. Those prayers meant more to me than anything else. It reminded me why I do what I do. This isn’t just about feeding people; it’s about making them feel seen, heard, and loved.
I’m proud to say that through the efforts of everyone involved in this outreach, we successfully made drops in the ocean of kindness. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make this possible,the people of Ilorin and you here, reading this. May we all continue to give back in every way we can, not just during Ramadan, but every single day.
This Ramadan outreach is just the beginning, though. I’ve always been passionate about giving back, and I’m committed to expanding this work beyond Ilorin, reaching communities around the world who need help. That’s why I am extremely excited that I will be expanding this to the good folks at Nottingham – my current home, before the end of Ramadan.
God is the greatest,
Taiwo Awoniyi
