With renewed funding and purpose, the final action phase of our initiative was set: a massive outreach day culminating our Corps Development Service (CDS) field CDS, targeting two schools—Akodo and Iwerekun. The energy was electric; this was the day we’d been anticipating, not just as a PMI committee, but as a full CDS group.
The day began, as always, with logistics. The PMI committee members first stopped by the local government office to sort out the final gifts and arrange their transport. This gathering was filled with a special kind of camaraderie; amidst the fun, laughter, and chatter, we were reflecting on the journey we’d shared and motivating each other for the grand finale. Meeting with Auntie Tee, our big mommy haha, who had been an instrumental, consistent guide throughout all our school visits, added a layer of heartfelt support as we loaded the items onto the bus.
After dropping the bulk of the items at Iwerekun, the bus proceeded to Akodo Secondary School, where our initiative officially kicked off. The whole CDS group—a phenomenal turnout of around 50 to 70 corps members—joined the PMI team. It felt like we were forming a “militia of good deeds,” a visible force of young, committed volunteers ready to make an impact.
Upon meeting with the school administration, we were quickly ushered into the main hall where the SS1 and SS2 students were assembled—a vibrant crowd of nearly 200 kids! The sheer number was both exciting and challenging. While the students filed in, the corps members and staff worked together in a lively, almost humorous effort to maintain order. We moved between the students like a game, constantly arranging them into straight lines and keeping them focused.
The session itself was impactful, with Gabriel and Tioluwani delivering the core talks, expertly splitting their message to resonate specifically with the SS1 and SS2 student. While they spoke, the rest of the corps members—the “militia”—were crucial, assisting with crowd control, taking pictures, and ensuring the smooth flow of the event.
The rowdiness we encountered wasn’t chaos, but the rowdiness of excitement and impact, a clear sign that the message was getting through.
The session concluded with the sharing of gifts, given based on need and participation. Though not “gold,” these items were deeply appreciated, acting as a tangible sign of investment in the students’ futures. The day ended with a heartfelt thank you from the administration and the students, leaving us with a feeling of deep satisfaction. The fatigue we felt wasn’t a chore, but the “fatigue of effort put into something good,” a project we knew was highly impactful to the next generation.
