PMI

The chapter on our intensive school outreach is now complete, and as we look back, the final moments at Iwerekun and the beach feel less like an ending and more like the celebratory summit of a mountain we’ve been climbing for months. This initiative, the Positive Mindset Initiative (PMI), was a journey forged in passion, fueled by perseverance, and defined by the sheer commitment of a dedicated team. From Conception to Collective Action It all began with an idea, an understanding that the next generation needed more than textbooks—they needed a mindset. What followed was a period of intense, often stressful, planning. We had to navigate the administrative trenches, the back-and-forth trips for official letters, and the initial meeting with our LGI that, while encouraging, was a direct and sobering reality check on the challenge of funding. We learned early that a great idea is only the first step, hustle, diplomacy, and persistence are the rest. We remember the sacrifices: the meetings where the unexpected downpour hit, and yet, not a single team member faltered, showing up despite the distance and hindrances. These moments of shared sacrifice became the bedrock of our commitment. We faced many moments of doubt, especially after the initial outreaches, weighing the financial constraints amongst others against our desire to continue. Yet, the mission pushed us forward, and the subsequent surprise wave of donations felt like a powerful affirmation that our purpose was guiding us. Navigating Formalities and Finding Validation Our quest for support was another critical phase. The journey to the Chairman’s office was a lesson in navigating formal procedures—the waiting, the rerouting into the conference room, and the presentation of our vision. The ultimate affirmation came in the form of a substantial financial commitment, which served as the official mandate to take our message to the streets, or rather, the schools. This milestone was proof that preparation, presentation, and professionalism open doors. The Impact on the Ground Our outreaches were the heart of this project. From the meticulous planning that went into preparing our gifts, to the sheer, joyful chaos of managing nearly 200 students at Akodo, the effort was immense. We became a “militia of good deeds,” with corps members stepping up beyond expectation, proving that the collective power of motivated youth is unstoppable. At every school—Elemoro, Magbon Alade, Akodo, and Iwerekun—we delivered a dual message: one of motivation and one of necessity. We celebrated brilliance with mathematical sets and stationery, and addressed genuine need by providing new school bags and sandals to students wearing patched or unapproved footwear. The most memorable moments were often the simplest: The Final Wave and The Road Ahead The final transition at Iwerekun, from the organized talks in the school’s pavilion to the immediate, joyful laughs at the beach, was a perfect crescendo. We were reminiscing, laughing, and running from the waves, celebrating not just the completion of a task, but the creation of indelible memories. It was a beautiful, human moment that solidified the bonds forged in the stress of the previous months. Even the final administrative wrap-up at the LGA, complete with a mini get-together and acknowledgment from the LGI, added a warm, personal touch to the end of this collective journey. This phase of intensive fieldwork concludes now. But the Positive Mindset Initiative (PMI) endures. The legacy is not in the number of gifts distributed, but in the hundreds of young minds we touched and the proof that a small, determined team can achieve phenomenal results. We have built a model for sustainable impact, and we leave this phase confident that we have laid a solid foundation for the future leaders who will carry this mission forward. This was more than an outreach, it was a testament to what is possible when a vision is backed by unwavering action. – Thank you for being with us through our Journey.

Leaving the energized students at Akodo, we immediately moved on to the second stop of our grand finale: the outreach at the Iwerekun Community Senior High School. While a few corps members had to depart, a great number remained, their commitment unwavering. This second visit felt more focused, a demonstration of lessons learned and processes refined. Upon arrival, we met the school’s administration and moved to organize the students. They were assembled at a large pavilion, this time, we used a strategic layout: the students were carefully arranged by class level (SS1, SS2, and SS3) into different seating areas. This wasn’t for ease of crowd control, but for precision impact, allowing our three speakers, George, Rebecca, and Gabriel, to tailor their message specifically to the academic and personal levels of each group. Our teamwork was seamless. While the speakers delivered their talks, the rest of the PMI committee and remaining corps members managed media, supported the Q&A, and finalized the gift distribution. We worked closely with the teachers here, just as we did at Akodo, to ensure the essential gifts, the school bags and sandals, were given to students identified on a pre-prepared list of those most in need. This deliberate approach ensured our resources maximized their impact. The atmosphere was incredibly cool and orderly. The Q&A was quick, respectful of the students’ time, and full of great energy. But as the session concluded and gifts were shared, a truly memorable moment unfolded. Looking up from the stepped benches, we had an unhindered view of the horizon—the nearby ocean and the beach. It was a breathtaking, unexpected sight. Then came the farewell. The schools administration, who had been crucial partners, offered a lengthy and heartfelt prayer for our team. It felt prophetic, as if they knew they were the final school of this incredible initiative. As the prayers concluded, the sight of the ocean was too inviting to resist. With our mission accomplished and the day complete, we were pulled by a collective, playful energy. It was time to head to the water, where the memories and true finalization of this remarkable journey awaited us.

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.

After completing our first three school outreaches, we stood at a crossroads. The excitement of putting our vision into action was great, but the reality of financial constraints began to weigh heavily on the Positive Mindset Initiative (PMI) committee. The journey had been powered by sacrifice and commitment, but scaling up to serve more students required resources that were quickly running out… There were honest, often difficult, deliberations: Should we continue? Can we sustain this? It would have been easy to pause, celebrate the three completed schools, and wait for more input. But the core belief in our mission—the impact we knew we were having on the students—pushed us to keep going. We collectively decided to take a leap of faith, trusting that our purpose would draw the necessary support. What happened next was a truly humbling and motivating surprise. Just as we committed to moving forward, we experienced a spontaneous and unexpected surge in donations. It was a gift that felt divinely timed, proving that our work resonated beyond our immediate circle. These new resources weren’t just money; they were a vote of confidence that completely revitalized the team. This unexpected boost immediately funded the packages and logistics for our final, ambitious outreach to two schools: Akodo and Iwerekun. That influx of support was the wind beneath our wings, transforming a moment of financial doubt into one of profound excitement. We weren’t just continuing; we were pushing on with renewed vigor, ready to deliver our biggest outreach yet.

The road to impact is paved with consistent action. Building on the momentum of our first visit, our team went on our second school outreach to Magbon Alade Junior Grammar School, a day that truly highlighted the power of local connection and positive messaging. Our day began not at the school, but at the LGA where we loaded our mini-bus with gift items and boarded. Despite being a tight squeeze with more than a few team members and a lot of items, the twenty-minute-ish ride was filled with chats and jokes. This small adventure was a testament to our team’s dedication and ability to make things happen. When we arrived the welcome set a positive tone for this day. We met with the principal and his team, who were very happy and thankful for our presence. After discussing our goals and receiving some valuable advice, we took some group pictures before the students were assembled. The students who were available for this meet this day were the SS2 students, The core of our message that day was delivered in two powerful acts. Gabriel, our founder and CDS President, spoke passionately about the importance of having a positive mindset and how to develop it from a young age. Following him, George, a local from the community, stepped up. His talk was incredibly motivating. He shared his personal history, detailing how his focus on books and being a good person led him to scholarships and a great university education, which is now propelling his career. His message resonated deeply because, as a local, the students saw a blueprint for success right where they stood. The talks were very interactive, with Gabriel and George engaging the students in smaller Q&A sessions during their talks. This led into the main question-and-answer session led by Tioluwanimi. The assembly ground erupted with enthusiasm as students screamed, “Pick me! Pick me!” The winners of these sessions were rewarded with gift items. It was a very fun session. This outreach was strategic: the gifts were not random. While the essentials like pens and books went to all, the more valuable items like mathematical sets, school bags, and sandals were given based on excellent performance in the Q&A or genuine need (students using worn-out or unapproved items). This approach of rewarding merit and addressing necessity is a core value of PMI. The day concluded with the school team surprising us with snacks—a small, unexpected gesture that showed their sincere appreciation, as well as thankful messages from the school’s team, and a lot of cheers from the students. It was one to remember.

After months of planning and preparation, the day came to put our boots on the ground. Our first school outreach was an important milestone, a moment where our vision became a reality for the students of Elemoro Community Junior Secondary School and Iwerekun secondary school. At Elemoro, the response was awesome; it was proof that they were ready to learn and take their studies seriously. We gave out gifts to those who answered our questions, with school bags and mathematical sets going to the exceptional ones among them. The reception at the second school was even more massive and encouraging. The school management and principal were very excited to see us and assembled the students for us at the assembly ground. We spoke about our core values—integrity, discipline, hard work, and consistency—and how there’s no limit to what they can achieve in life. The session was so engaging that we even held a one-on-one session with some of the students, and they asked us to stay even after closing hours. Our outreach was about more than just a message, it was about meeting real needs. While pens and books went to many students, the more significant gifts like school bags and sandals were given to those who were in genuine need. We saw students with torn bags and worn-out shoes, and we were able to provide for them. The happiness on their faces was the most powerful confirmation that our efforts were worth it. The day ended with the principal praying for us for minutes, overjoyed and appreciative of our efforts. Taking a group picture with her and many of the students, we left feeling a profound sense of fulfillment. It was a perfect beginning to our journey of creating lasting impact.