Nomthi Odukoya to Launch FundaWazi
ollowing the success of her first children book, ‘No! Don’t Touch Me There’ and the increasing demand that accompanied it, the wife of the founder of the Fountain of Life Church, Nomthi Odukoya is set to launch an NGO next Tuesday. The NGO will cater to the need of abusive children from all over the country. Called Funda Wazi which means Learn and Know in Zulu language, Odukoya believes that the NGO will broaden her reach to the children and will empower them to protect themselves as well as adults to protect the children from being abused. The principal objective of the foundation is to develop child-friendly resources and tools to equip children and adults in ensuring the safety and well-being of children. The NGO will also embark on empirical research on issues that affect children and through organised forums, advocacy and social media platforms will fulfil its vision for the Nigerian child.
Members of the foundation board include Principal, Green Springs School, Mrs. Layiwola Koiki; a Child Right Advocate, Barrister Taiwo Akinlami; a Non-profit professional, Ms. Thelma Ekiyor, the CEO, Eventful Mrs. Yewande Zaccheus; Mrs. Kemi Odukoya, and Ms. Tobi Odukoya.
“The reception the “No! Don’t Touch Me There” got on its release was incredible–thou- sands of copies were bought, invitations to speak to children in different schools poured in (and are still pouring in) and testimonies about how children use the information in the book to protect themselves have come from all over this country and beyond.
“In no time, people started asking that the book be translated into local languages. It was at that point we decided to pursue the protection of the interest of children in a more organised way with the setting up of an NGO. This will enable us reach more people.” she said in a press conference held at the church premises recently.
She will also be launching her new book ‘A Bully is not a Hero’ at the launch. The book addresses bullying and how it can scar a child’s life.
“There is also a high possibility that a child who has been bullied will end up bullying others or might be involved in domestic violence later in life. That is why we want to teach, guide and protect our children so they can grow up to be responsible and balanced adults.”
She continued: “We believe that a lot of what the future has for our nation and the world as a whole is dependent on the investments that we make on our children today. We are determined to tackle the challenge, no matter how much it takes from us.” she concluded.