Digging deep to help poor in Nigeria

WHILE we may feel we are living through times of hardship, there are many the world over who are suffering in severe poverty.

Drogheda woman Flora Okobi is trying to support those in crisis in her home country, and is raising funds to put food on the table of vulnerable families in Nigeria.

“When I started out, I just wanted to send something out to some relatives I have back in Nigeria, but then I started to see there were people in Lagos who really had nothing, and I wanted help in whatver way I can,” explains Flora.

“We have sent out packages worth €3,000 from our own funds, which have been sent to two or there centres to be distributed, but there are so many other disadvantaged families, we are going to try to raise more.”

The packages are made up of three main staples for the families - rice, beans and garry (which is like potato).

These foods can go a long way, and each family will receive 15kg in total - 5kg for each product.

“There is very little social support in the country for them and they have to rely on their own funds and what they can buy at the roadside,” says Flora, who works within the commuunity in Drogheda as director of NGO Culture Connect in the Barbican.

“I know people here have a lot to be thinking about too, but we have so much more than some people, and they have no one looking after them.”

If you would like to make a donation, visit the GoFundMe page RELIEF 4 VULNERABLE NIGERIAN FAMILIES IN LOCKDOWN.