March 21st of every is regarded as the World Down Syndrome Day, and today, the 14th Edition was celebrated in a grand style, by the Down Syndrome Foundation, and the Yes, We Are Winning foundation (YWAW).
The Yes We Are Winning Foundation, led by it’s Project Coordinator, Afonrinwo Babs ‘Deji with the media director, Olubunmi Olaniyan, and a member of the YWAW team, Kikelomo Olatunde were present at United Nations Information Center, Ikoyi to commemorate the day Collaboration with Down Syndrome Foundation.
YWAW Team with Mrs. Rose Mordi of the Down Syndrom Foundation
The 2019 edition of the World Down Syndrome Day with the theme, “Leave no one behind” the event was graced by dignitaries and important personalities from all works of life including Dame Abimbola Fashola (Former First Lady, Lagos State), human right advocates, as well as parents and partners.
Testimonials
One of the Parents spoke about the challenges faced in fathering a child plagued with both autism spectrum disorder and Down Syndrome. He said “It was a very sad experience having to cope with the reality of nursing a child with Down Sydrome.
In her words, she said, “”Our first child was born with the Down Syndrome. We did all we could to change his condition, spent lots of our resources in several hospital before finally succumbing to fate. When he was growing up, we took him to different schools yet all we got was neglect and bullying from other kids until a friend in South-Africa introduced us to the Down Syndrome Foundation, and today, we are proud parents.”
He concluded by saying “If you have never felt a pain before because of your child, then you aren’t a parent yet.” He finally encouraged the parent, government and individuals to keep supporting this amazing set of people by giving them equal opportunities, showing them unique and genuine love.
A parent and his wards
Another parent, Alhaji Yahya came in all the way from Kwara State. He mentioned how he first saw the school on TV, then contacted the founder, Mrs. Rose Mordi who has being of great help to his son. The man said “Because of the kind of love my son has gotten, I have also decided to sponsor two children with down syndrome whom I picked on the street. The children are also registered in the foundation”, he enthused.
He then concluded by saying, “My son is 22years old, he can do a whole lot of physical exercises. He’s plays table tennis pretty well, and does some other house chores, and happily married with a child. I think it is better we allow them marry and have a child early, because no one knows tomorrow.”
If there is any father who could have regretted having a child with down syndrome, perhaps the parents of ÌyanuOluwa could be, however, instead of being sad, what brought them tears years ago is now their pride. Their little daughter, ÌyanuOluwa clocks 3 years today (Picture Insert: ÌyanuOluwa with members of Yes We Are Winning Foundation).
Inioluwa at 3
The father said, “At a time, everyone neglected us including church members. Even family concluded we take her to the hospital and inject her to die, but we believed God gave us the child for a purpose.”
In conclusion, the Founder of the Down Syndrome Foundation, Mrs. Rose Mordi thanks everyone who came for the event, notably, the Yes We Are Winning Foundation for donating relief materials to the school.
Today will go down a memory lane, as we all reflect, agreed and resolved to stop the bully and neglect of these amazing individuals, instead, we advocate for total inclusion and integration of these ones into the society by giving them equal opportunity.
Part of the extras was exhibition of hand made materials by the students, choreography, video presentations and advocacy recitations by the students.
It was a feeling of overwhelming happiness and joyful excitement for the SS3 students of the Falomo Senior Secondary, Ikoyi-Lagos, Nigeria during a symposium jointly organized by Welti Foundation and The Yes, We Are Winning Foundation to commemorate the International Women’s Day 2019.
The theme for this symposium is: Sexual Abuse, The Role of the Male Folks, with a hashtag Balance for better (#balanceforbetter). Our guest, Miss. Adebara Adekunbi (Founder, Piece of My Heart Foundation), spoke extensively on the definition of Sexual Assault, Sex, rape and gender equality. She emphaized on the need for the male folk to be discipline and avoid taking advantage of their female counterpart.
She lamented how terribly our society have being badly affected by the rising Sexual molestation and assaults that occurs on a daily basis, especially among young adolescents. She further advised that your “YES” or “NO” must be balanced with your physical action. As a lady, you shouldn’t be saying NO to Sexual approach or harassment and still let your guards down, as this may be seen as affirmative for the opposite sex.
Furthermore, she said that even though some ladies may dress indecently, yet this doesn’t justified that such a person should be forced to have sex (rape). She also mentioned that an average of 2 among every 10 boys have also experienced molestation, which means both genders are capable of being a victim.
For more images of the event, view slides below:
International Women’s Day Symposium
Finally, she encouraged the students to speak out and seek for help in case of any sexual molestation or abuse. She warned that perpetrators must not be left unpunished. She also reminded the students that often times, those who perpetrate such evil actions are those so close to us. Therefore, she challenged everyone to be vigilant and learn self defense at all times.
The theme for the 2019 International Women’s Day (#Balancingforbetter) also emphasizes on gender equality. Women are challenged to rise up to leadership positions in every sector just as their male counterpart. The day advocates for a society where both man and women can compete favourably in career, science, and leadership positions.
The need for girls and women to pursue their life aspirations in whatever choice of career, and never to be intimidated by the male folks was also discussed. students were happy to have learnt something new, they all solemnly committed to leading moral lives and promised to become responsible citizens.
The Executive Director of Women Economic And Leadership Transformation Initiative (Welti foundation), Ifeoma Okonji, emphasized the need to continue to speak against sexual abuse, and the need for the male counterpart to protect the girls and women, thereby balancing for better.
The YWAW team present were Afonrinwo Babs ‘Deji, Olaniyan Olubunmi and Olatunde Kikelomo.
On behalf of all of us, we wish all women happy International Women’s Day.
The feeling that comes from knowing that you come from royalty is ecstatic. The confident assurance of being a king, a prince or princess is rewarding and delightful. A king is powerful; his words are final, and his authority is uncontentious.
A king should live in affluence; his inheritance is the land and its people. He owns the wealth of the land and basks in the euphoria of one who rules and reigns over all things.
An aristocratic dynasty is endearing. It potents authority and power, wealth and affluence, dominion and exaltation. It is an enviable position that commands respect and honor. The word of the king is power, and his influence is over all things.
You are King, created by The Almighty God, The King of kings. You are God’s representative here on earth and you are positioned to reign over his creation. Furthermore, I will like to quote the words of Donald Lawrence, in his song, “There’s A King In You.”
He wrote, “the goal of the enemy is that you don’t know who you are. I know that life has challenged you but the King in me speaks to the King in you. You were born to rule there is a King in you. You come from royalty.”
He continued, “I know that life has challenged you. But the King in me speaks to the King in you. You were born to rule, there is a King in you. Is there no King in you then why do you speak with such defeat?. Is there no King in you then why do you speak with such low esteem?
Since there’s a king in you, you don’t have to be discouraged when life gets difficult. You don’t have to give up on your dreams, or give in to fear because you’re challenged. Life is so beautiful when we are optimistic. There’s possibilities when we put our trust in God, and do not give up on our efforts to achieve.
The King dies in him who is a pessimist. The power to surmount challenges and achieve success is dormant in a man who doesn’t see the good side of life. A pessimistic attitude isn’t very hopeful; he always expects the worst to happen. Even though there is a king in him, he is bedeviled with hopelessness and self-defeat.
The word of Lucille Ball instructive, he said, “One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn’t pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself.”
Whatever life throws at you, just be certain that there’s always a bright side of life, and it takes optimism to see it. There’s a king in you. Therefore, speak the word of hope, rekindle your passion to succeed. Don’t let the enemy take advantage of you.
You are powerful, you are an overcomer. You’re winning; Yes, we are winning!
When he was asked what evidences were left of the unfortunate incident of The Holocaust, Rotem Cohen, a Jew and a proud father of 3 said,”It is senseless for anyone to deny the occurrence of the Holocaust as some feigned it never happened. My first prove, he said, is that out of over 1000 members of my family only 5 persons are left.”
The YWAW joins the world to mark The International day in memory of the victims of The Holocaust. The Holocaust was the systematic, bureaucratic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators, who believed that Germans were “racially superior” and claimed that Jews were “inferior” and a threat to the so-called German racial community. YWAW advocates for peace & peaceful co-existence.
He further affirmed there are several pictures taken to prove that the Holocaust truly happened. The history of the holocaust, he said is verifiable and relics as well as pictures taken by can be found in the Jewish and American museums. See link: https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/introduction-to-the-holocaust
In his interview, Rotem Cohen spoke exclusively about the impact of the holocaust on the Jewish people, the establishment of the State of Israel, the relationship between Jews and their surrounding neighbors and enemies, as well as issues on world security and peace.
Watch the video below:
By 1945, the Germans and their collaborators killed nearly two out of every three European Jews as part of the “Final Solution.” The “Final Solution” was the Nazi policy to murder the Jews of Europe.
The Yes, We Are Winning Foundation commensurates with the victims of the Holocaust while advocating for peaceful co-existence amongst all tribes, race, and culture.
Just as I laid in bed to rest, my entire life was flashed before me in split seconds. The fear of desperation confronted me, as my new year aspirations and expectations were put side by side with the realities of life. And in swift response, my judgement was beclouded with doubts, and anxiety that plunged me into serious panic and despair.
Just in few minutes, my mood had swung from happiness to intense fear and panic that resulted into hormonal imbalance and consequently debilitated me. I only just poured my heart to God at the cross over night few hours back, and welcomed year 2019 with hopeful expectations that the new year would birth the fulfillment of my dreams. How quickly can my renewed hope in the first day of the year, turn into despair, I had wondered.
Part of my new year goals include: to be gainfully employed after my NYSC program. I also hope to set up my business and be an employer of labour. More So, am hoping to start my M.Sc program in the current year, at least move further in my career path.
Truth is, I dread to be idle or jobless, or become a burden to my family. But I seem to be worried that this might happen to me. And this realities scares me to the bone. I felt so disillusioned and desperate. And so, my soul was suddenly flooded with the turmoil of a misfortune, and these thoughts tormented me for some hours.
After much thoughts, I decided to highlight the glaring realities and place them side by side with facts about life. The resultant wisdom and peace I got afterwards was reassuring and I felt I should share this with you.
The realities:
1. Getting a Job: with the economic situation and uncertainties in the country, it is becoming more difficult to get a job. This is an undeniable reality!
2. This implies that Out of 10 persons, only 2 New graduate might get a job. The rest would have to wait and keep trying until fortune smiles on them. While some may never be gainfully employed.
The Facts:
It is a fact, that life is so unfair that one has to be constantly positioned on the side of optimism. There’s just a thin line between faith and doubt, failure and success and of course life and death. If you blink, you slip to the other side in no time.
In life, there must fortune and misfortune, success and failure, good and bad. It is a verity of life! Therefore, it is wisdom to dwell on the side of optimism. Life is full of battles, and winning over life’s hurdles starts from the mind. A positive mindset is thus, a veritable platform for success.
Furthermore, life is a choice. As success and failure is a choice, so also is fear and faith. Each action determines where you’re placed in life. It might be temporary fulfilling to worry about realities, but ultimately it is a destructive endeavor. Thus, it is wisdom to be optimistic, and dwell on the good things of life even though time and chance happens to all.
Faith Fades Fear
Aside being positive, a man with absolute faith in God and His unfailing promises has a better chance to excel. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. You can’t do well in life if you don’t have faith in the things that doesn’t change, that is the character of God.
Fear makes you hinge your hope on the things which are temporary and unreal but faith steadies you on the storms of life. Whether you choose faith or fear, it is your choice. But it’s wisdom to chose faith over fear. And the result of choosing faith over fear is effortlessly rewarding and delightful.
Faith endears you to God who’s got all the world’s resources and can make a way where there seem to be no way. You can’t see beyond your nostrils. It is a fact! So whatever fear you anticipated for tomorrow isn’t real–its false expression appearing real. And such fear is meant to afflict and torment you! (more…)
This morning, my friend called me and asked if I was already unboxing the Christmas gifts I received since it is Boxing Day. I chuckled, and said, “I really wish there are gifts to unbox.” Although I got one hamper which I had unboxed before the Boxing Day. Nothing really special about the gifts except for the thoughtfulness of the giver and of course the spirit of the season.
Aside the severe economic situation of the country that has made Christmas to be celebrated on a low key, boxing of gifts is not really a thriving tradition in this part of the world. Many people know December 26 as a national holiday than the idea of a day set aside for unboxing Christmas gifts.
The greatest gift God gave was the priceless gift of His son—Jesus Christ (John 3:16). This precious gift was given for all irrespective of religion, race, color or creed. It was the free gift the world need to be liberated from the hardship caused by sin.
And in presenting his wonderful gift, He unboxed it and said, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased, hear him.” There’s no invaluable gift as this. A gift too wonderful for words. Have you got yours? It’s at the door, open up and get yours (Rev. 3:20).
You are King, created by The Almighty God, The King of kings. You are God’s representative here on earth and you are positioned to reign over his creation. Furthermore, I will like to quote the words of Donald Lawrence, in his song, “There’s A King In You.”
When he was asked what evidences were left of the unfortunate incident of The Holocaust, Rotem Cohen, a Jew and a proud father of 3 said,”It is senseless for anyone to deny the occurrence of the Holocaust as some feigned it never happened. My first prove, he said, is that out of over 1000 members of my family only 5 persons are left.”
Truth is, I dread to be idle or jobless, or become a burden to my family. But I seem to be worried that this might happen to me. And this realities scares me to the bone. I felt so disillusioned and desperate. And so, my soul was suddenly flooded with the turmoil of a misfortune, and these thoughts tormented me for some hours.