The number of those in dire need increases day by day. A lot of Non-Governmental Organisation have come up and out to help reduce the burden, more and still coming up. For the Founder and President of Hope Emerge, Vivianne Adelagun, Women empowerment program is an awesome pathway to helping them start their own small business.
In this exclusive interview with News Africa Now, Mrs Vivianne explains how they offer loans or grants to make this possible. Excerpts…
Question: During this pandemic, what charity drives Have You Carried Out?
Answer- Hope Emerge is a non-profit non-governmental charity organization. It was founded in the year 2018 and it focuses on the health care and well being of the underserved and less privileged most especially in Nigeria. It is a fully registered organization in Nigeria and in the United States of America.
Hope Emerge does charity drives multiple times during the year. Such Charity drives include foodstuff giveaways, school supplies giveaways, women and widows empowerment programs, medical missions, health care initiatives, accommodation and business empowerment programs, Tuition reimbursements and pregnant women antenatal and delivery initiatives. We also sponsor other up and coming non-profit organizations and sometimes we collaborate with such organizations. During this pandemic, we have done several more following social distance protocols. From food item drives to palliatives, providing accommodations, educating the masses about preventing the spread of the virus, as well as provide hand sanitizers and face mask for people who could not afford these basic things. We have also provided reusable pads and provided education regarding women health care issues. Some of our initiatives during this period has also included paying salaries to teachers and facilitating stay at home business for people who have lucrative ideas. We have also provided PPEs and hand sanitizer to facilities which serve the community. Such facilities include small clinics and local health care clinics.
Hope Emerge is strictly funded by private individuals either through word of mouth or through fundraising events that are organized all year round, however, due to COVID -19 we have not been able to initiate any fund-raising events. We have relied solely on self contributions and also contributions from friends and family to sustain the organization’s needs.
Question: What was your biggest discovery this period?
Answer – My biggest discovery this period is that a lot of people do not believe this virus exists until it actually hits close to home and this is one of the reasons why we are constantly educating people. I see that our people like to live in experience. Experience is good however; it is very wise to learn from others as well. One other thing that I also realized is that there are still a lot of good people in Nigeria doing great things. I see a lot of genuine hearted people who are really trying to help others during this period. That brings me joy, to say the least.
Aside from helping the less privileged I also volunteer my time at church. I am the head of the risk and health care team as well as the drama ministry. I am also a part of the media team. Volunteering in the house of God is really where I refill my tank. Aside from that, I work as a clinical director of risk management for a big health care company.
What is the NGO atmosphere in Nigeria like?
The NGO atmosphere in Nigeria is interesting. I came across a few roadblocks and interesting facts however, these things are also the core of what motivates me. When you do what you do from the heart it makes everything effortless and rewarding.
I have also enjoyed helping people since I was a child. I love people. I care for people. I think everyone has the potential to be someone if they have the right atmosphere and the right people in their corner. That has always been my philosophy. I remember I used to get in trouble when I sit on the floor with others instead of sitting on the chair. My belief is that we are all equal before God. I don’t see myself as better than anyone.
Hope Emerge stands for a call for Hope to Emerge…That’s why I didn’t call it Hope Emerged. I didn’t call it Hope Emerging! I call it Hope Emerge…. calling it forte… Making it a proclamation. Calling it into existence. HOPE EMERGE!!!
We need sponsors. I have some great people with big hearts who volunteer their time and services, but we need people to support us with funds too. Funds to be able to touch as many lives as possible. My long-time goal is to have an apartment complex where I can allow people to live for free for at least a year or two while helping them get back on their feet.
Hope Emerge has women empowerment program which allows them to start their own small business. We offer loans or grants to make this possible. The loans are usually soft and flexible and this is to encourage them to use the funds lucratively. We support health care programs and we also pay school tuitions for those who wish to go back to school. Aside from all that we help with hospital bills and mother bad baby care.
Do you get any form of support from any arm of the government?
Hope to emerge does not receive support from any government entity… we are a non-governmental foundation. We rely solely on private and individual donations.
As one who is married, how seamless is it doing a tasking job and running the home?
I do other things too aside from Hope Emerge. I manage the home. I volunteer at church, I teach, I also work full time. All this is made seamless through the grace of the Almighty God. You have to have a passion. When God gives you the wisdom and passion everything is easy.
Aside from church, I love spending time with my family. I love listening to music and I like watching meaningful movies. I am not a party person. I am homely, Hope Emerge is a non-profit non-governmental charity organization with a focus on the health care and well being of the underserved and less privileged.
We do charity drives multiple times during the year but during this pandemic, we have done several more. From foodstuff drives to palliatives and health care needs provisions. We have also provided shelter to the homeless and corona prevention types of equipment such as mask and sanitizers to various individuals and organizations.
Well, we usually had fundraising events all year round but due to COVID -19 we have not been able to initiate any fundraising. We have relied solely on self contributions and also contributions from friends and family.
My biggest discovery in this period is that there are still a lot of good people in Nigeria doing great things.
Aside from helping the needy this period, what other projects do you carry out?
Aside from helping the needy I also educate and sensitize people about the current situation of things. I am a health care practitioner, so I am able to give health advice as well.
The NGO atmosphere in Nigeria is motivating and it can also be thought-provoking. It’s very daunting too. When you do what you do from the heart it makes everything rewarding.
I have been doing this since I was a child. I love people. I care for people. I think everyone has the potential to be someone if they have the right atmosphere and the right people in their corner. We are all equal before God. I don’t see myself as better than anyone.
Do you get any form of support from any arm of the government?
Hope Emerge stands for a call for Hope to Emerge…That’s why I didn’t call it Hope Emerged. I didn’t call it Hope Emerging! I call it Hope Emerge…. calling it forte… Making it a proclamation. Calling it into existence. HOPE EMERGE!!!
We need sponsors. I have some great people with big hearts who volunteer their time but we need people with funds too.
Yes we have women empowerment programs… small business programs and we also pay school tuitions for those who wish to go back to school.
We do not receive support from any government entity… we are a non-governmental foundation.
Tell us a bit about yourself?
I do other things too aside from Hope Emerge and managing the home. I volunteer at church, I teach, I also work full time. All this is made seamless through the grace of the Almighty God. You have to have a passion. When God gives you the wisdom and passion everything is easy.
What are your favourite pastimes?
Beyond Hope Emerge, how will you describe your personality?
Aside from church, I love spending time with my family. I love listening to music and I like meaningful movies. I am not a party person. I am homely, so I don’t really like parties.
I am a go-getter and a self-starter. I love to treat people with love and compassion. I believe that there is nothing that is not achievable if you put your mind to it. I love motivating people. I am loyal to a fault. I love God! I love the children he has placed in my care.
I am grateful for every smile and every breath. I do not allow my life experiences to define me.
I am a go-getter and a self-starter. I love to treat people with love and compassion. I believe that there is nothing that is not achievable if you put your mind to it. I love motivating people. I am loyal to a fault. I love God! I love the children he has placed in my care.
I am grateful for every smile and every breath. I do not allow my life experiences to define me.
