Welcome once again to another week with your favorite online magazine. When Dionne Okafor created the group “The best women in the world reside in Africa” on facebook, she definately knew what she was talking about. This week we bring you the condensed profile of Neema Mgana, a social entrepreneur, development professional and pioneer of numerous grassroot initiatives

http://developmentreport.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=20&Itemid=44 The

Daylight Foundation and its Learning portal http://developmentreport.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=60&Itemid=51

The Skoll Foundation http://developmentreport.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=17&Itemid=50

Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria http://developmentreport.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=18&Itemid=37

As usual, feel free to send your comments, contributions, constructive criticisms, charity, developmental and non -profit related stories to info@developmentreport.org

Regards,

Publisher Development Report Magazine
http://www.developmentreport.org

It all started with a conversation with a friend in the banking industry. He accused media people of being good at talking the talk. He said media people were very good at complaining but bad at proferring solutions. This hit a raw nerve because our publication focuses mainly on societal issues, charity and development.. We decided to differentiate our selves from the others. We wanted to do more than just talk.. we decided to act…thus the birth of SUPPORT AN ORPHAN PROJECT

The “Support An Orphan project” is an initiative of Development Report Magazine. It is a quarterly event that involves mobilizing groups of people to visit an orphanage, to show love and give support.

The aim of this event is to create a giving culture amongst Africans, to glamorize the art of giving by organizing group visits to orphanages. We want to make such visits a favorite past time, a social outing and an avenue to network amongst others. This project will be held quarterly to continuously instill this passion to support the less privileged in the society.

We started with the end in mind… we fixed a date and made it known to the general public. Why? .. So that we will be under pressure to deliver. Our first point of call was Modupe Cole Home @ Akoka.. We approched them with our letter, made our presentation but were told that it was a governement facility and any public visit had to be approved by a series of govt officials. We moved on because we did not have the time for all the bureaucracy…

Little Saints Orphanage accepted our offer immediately, and we began to make preparations, send out invites and do all that was necessary to see that 9th of August came to pass…. And it did.. All we can say is Thank You BABA!!!

We are using this platform to acknowledge and say a BIG thank you to people that graced the event. This list is in no particular order….

Salamat Imana Dazumi
Amina Imana
Mrs Lateefa Imana
Farouq Imana
Ahmed Dazumi
Bubbles
Fuzzy

… Had to start with family eh?…lol

Ojo Esther (Na you first come)

Volunteers

Fasanmi Olukemi
Afolabi Salaam

You guys rock…Kemi..I owe U!

Supporters

Buster ( The next UN Secretary General)
Victor Gotevbe ( We know how we do it!)
Tosyn Bucknor ( hmmmm…….)
Asim Ita Emilia ( I cant shout!)
Messan lanre (U try no be small!)
Louisa Ibhaze ( We knw where we go meet..lol)
Adesokan Balkiss (Kiss kiss)
Akin Rotimi ( Ekun baba!)
Enitan Oteju( Your presents fit full the whole orphanage. I see d ghana must go bag!)

Gbubemi Atimomo ( U spent ur birthday with Us.. God bless U!)
Bankole Oloruntoba ( Leave it! )
Adewunmi Olumide ( Nuthin do U!)
Fasuyi Adunlola ( Big sistah!)
Atinuke Agboola ( U r a true friend)
Chikara Nwoke ( carry Gooooooo)
Olomada Mariam
Lawal Saidat
Flako Chiboy
Sam Sam
Dickson Etefia
Keneth Okonjo
Olaoye Soji
Olowoyeye Oluwatosin
Anthony Agbonlator
Yemi Ajunwon
Lara odebiyi
Wale Johnson
Desmond Buchi
Adekunle raimi Lawal
Eddy Olaoye
Bakare Lawal

The flow of event

The event started @ 9.30am, even though we had fixed 11am as take off time. One of the guests arrived earlier that the organizers. She had a wedding to attend and wanted to drop off her gifts before rushing off. We had to set up the backdrop hurriedly for her to take a shot. Esther Ojo… we appreciate your selflessness…

Guests arrived one after the other like typical Nigerians (About an hour late!), but the event went on still, people came dropped their gifts and went in the hall to listen to the organizers talk, network, watch a short documentary on the orphanage and dance!

At 2.30pm, we went in to see the kids in batches, it was a transforming experience. The orphanage authorities are very particular about direct pictures because some of these kids will be up for adoption in the future and it wasnt proper to use their pictures for commercial purpose (Like facebook!).

You can view the complete pictures here

http://www.developmentreport.org/photo.php?c=album&d=SOP

What we achieved

” I used to give alms to mainly beggars on the street, I have never been to an orphanage. I didnt know that they had such cute kids. I cant believe that I made a difference in their lives with my little gift(A pack of indomie). This is an eye opener, its a new experience for me”… Bimpe Disu

“My idea of visiting an orphanage is nothing near this, I ‘ll definately attend the next one. I feel so good, it was mad fun. The pictures, the branding, the setting is soo clean and classy. And the people are so cheerful. You guys are doing it right”….Mariam Olomada

“Alhaji Imanah.. Congractulations on a successful event”…. U know yourself. I no go put your name…lol

What to expect…

The Project has been officially launched. The next event has been fixed for 6th of december 2008. We will keep you posted. But its not just about about the event. SOP is a movement.. Its about encouraging people to support orphanages. It is about promoting the cause. You can become a supporter today by simply ordering for your SOP t-shirt. sop@developmentreport.org

The official page for SOP is still being updated on our website

http://www.developmentreport.org/SOP

We will post news and updates there on a regular basis.

Support An Orphan Project

You are invited to the maiden edition of “SUPPORT AN ORPHAN PROJECT” (SOP) which will take place on Saturday 9th, August 2008, 11 am at Little Saints orphanage , Palmgrove Estate, Palmgrove, Ikorodu road, Lagos.

The “Support An Orphan Project” is an initiative of Development Report Magazine. It is a quarterly event that involves mobilizing groups of people to visit an orphanage, to show love and give support.

The aim of this event is to create a giving culture amongst Africans, to glamorize the art of giving by organizing group visits to orphanages. We want to make such visits a favorite pastime , a social outing and an avenue to network amongst others.

This project will be held quarterly to continuously instill this passion to support the less privileged in the society .

Visitors are expected to come with a gift for the kids, social workers and or for the organizers of the event. For a list of orphanages’ needs, please visit

http://littlesaintsorphanages.org/pages.php?page_id=6

The event will take place between 11am and 4pm. The routine is as follows:

[1] Come to the Orphanage with your gift
[2] Sign in the register
[3]Drop your gift with the appropriate person(s)
[4]Go in and play with the kids
[5]Talk to the social workers
[6] Network with people present
[7]  Take a picture
[8]  Leave!

The whole activity can be completed in 30mins.

You can support the campaign by ordering t-shirts and wristbands

We look forward to having you at the event.

For enquiries call +234 8026335686.

The African culture has always promoted love towards one another. Based on this premise, we had once been rated one the most generous people in the world. This spirit of greatness has always driven our society forward beyond whatever ills present. With a high rate of dumped children, poor education, degenerated standard of living, poor health services, to mention but a few, the future of an average African Child looks bleak. The culture of giving has been part of Africans since time immemorial but the current state of lives and time has impeded this culture amongst Africans, especially the youths.

The project “Support An Orphan” is an initiative of Development Report Magazine. It is a quarterly event that involves mobilizing groups of people to visit an orphanage, to show love and give support.

The aim of this event is to create a giving culture amongst Africans, to glamorize the art of giving by organizing group visits to orphanages. We want to make such visits a favorite past time , a social outing and an avenue to network amongst others.This project will be held quarterly to continuously instill this passion to support the less privileged in the society .

HOW IT IS DONE…

[1] You are expected to come with your gift,
[2] Sign in the Register
[3] Give your gift to the authorities
[4] Go in and play with the Kids
[5] Chat with the Staff /Social workers of the Home
[6] Network and make new friends

This month, We are Partnering with

Young Nigerian CEO’s
OB -V-US

So come , share love, network with a group of sharp minded entrepreneurs…..

If you need ideas on gifts to bring.. Visit

http://littlesaintsorphanages.org/pages.php?page_id=6

For a List of The Orphanage’s Needs

Usman Oshifueme Imanah
Publisher / Editor-In-Chief
Development Report Magazine
http://www.developmentreport.org