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 awesome, ready-to-learn responses from the students.
- The raw motivation fueled by George, a local hero(haha), showing the students a blueprint for success in their own community.
- The lengthy, heartfelt prayers from the principals—moments of spiritual validation that transcended logistics.
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.
