Your support is helping young adults in Nigeria get the mentoring support they need to become successful adults.  Bukola is one of the young adults that are already making a difference thanks to the mentoring program she was able to attend thanks in part to your support.  Bukola is a 15 years old, senior secondary school student in Lagos, Nigeria.  Read in her own words how she was able to make a difference in her community:

“Ever since I attended S.M.I.L.E's Young Leaders Mentoring Program, I have felt a sense of responsibility and a compelling passion to make a difference within my immediate environment.

In my school, we had a very serious challenge with environmental pollution caused by the giant heap of refuse located behind the academic block. The school authority had put in a lot of effort at disposing of this refuse regularly but with the very high student population, waste was generated rapidly. After a while, it seemed the Waste Management Agency was overwhelmed and avoided my school for months. This resulted in a mammoth refuse heap.

I felt so concerned and compelled to do something, so I confided in our Vice Principal who also is my mentor and the coordinator of S.M.I.L.E's Young leaders' Club in my school. I also discussed this with members of the S.M.I.L.E. team. These three individuals were great motivators who encouraged me to go ahead with my intentions. I went to the waste management agency office in Ketu and was directed to their headquarters in Ijora. I presented pictures of the refuse dump to them at the headquarters and appealed that they come clear the refuse heap. They promised that the situation will be addressed and gave me a contact number for follow up. I had to call severally, reminding them of my request.

At last, it was like a dream, after several attempts, the refuse truck finally showed up on a Thursday evening to clear the refuse. With so much joy in my heart, I decided to sweep the remaining refuse after the truck left to ensure the place was properly cleaned.

Everybody was surprised yet very elated and relieved. I felt great and so happy that I was able to make an impact in my school. Students now regard me with great respect and teachers admire me and often use me as a reference point.

However, that was only a part of providing a lasting solution to the waste management challenges in my school. The school is currently planning to procure sacks/bags so we can bag the refuse neatly to make it easier for waste management agency officials to pack, which we believe will encourage them to come around more often.

Today, I am not only the deputy governor of the S.M.I.L.E Young Leaders Club in my school and the Vice President of Health and Life Planning Club but also the newly appointed Head Girl of the school.

My profound appreciation goes to S.M.I..L.E for this laudable mentoring and leadership development program that provided me the necessary guidance and helped me discover my potential to make a great difference. My generation certainly needs more initiatives like that of S.M.I.L.E to guide the youth towards our destinies.”

Thank you again for helping future leaders like Bukola make a difference.