The Concert for Change Foundation has set a target of N500 million to support vulnerable children, orphans, and charities providing services to children living with disabilities across Nigeria. This goal was announced at a press conference in Lagos ahead of the ninth edition of the Green Worship benefit concert, scheduled for October 10 at the MUSON Centre in Lagos. The foundation aims to raise funds for six charities that provide specialized education, rehabilitation, prosthetic limbs, transportation, and infrastructure to children with disabilities.
Since its establishment in 2006, the Worship for Change initiative has raised and disbursed N210 million, supporting 49 charities and reaching over 8,000 children. The foundation's Managing Trustee, Wale Adenuga, stated that if the target is exceeded, they are open to helping other charities on standby. The six beneficiaries of this year's fundraising are OAKonsult Disabilities Outreach, Lokola School for the Deaf and Special Needs, Excellent Child Support Initiative, Festus Fajemilo Foundation, AIM Special Children Centre, and Irede Foundation.
The needs of the beneficiary charities vary, ranging from specialized education and rehabilitation to prosthetic limbs, transportation, and infrastructure. Executive Director of Irede Foundation, Crystal Chigbu, said that previous funding from the initiative helped provide a prosthetic limb to a 17-year-old girl who lost a limb in an accident. The foundation hopes to use this year's support to provide prosthetic limbs for at least 10 children and help them return to school.
Founder of OAKonsult Disabilities Outreach, Olufunke Adeloye, emphasized the need for a change in society's perception of children living with disabilities and their families. She stressed the importance of greater inclusion and support for these children. Co-Founder of the Festus Fajemilo Foundation, Afolabi Fajemilo, noted that Green Worship provides charities with a vital platform to mobilize resources and draw attention to the needs of vulnerable children.
The organizers of the Green Worship benefit concert emphasized that the campaign is not dependent on a single large donor but will rely on contributions from individuals, families, businesses, churches, and other organizations. A member of the planning committee, Kunle Popoola, urged Nigerians and corporate organizations to support the initiative, stating that the funds will help differently abled, indigent, and orphaned children access education and participate more fully in society.
The ninth edition of the Green Worship benefit concert, scheduled for October 10, will feature performances by notable artistes such as Nathaniel Bassey, Bob Fitts, Ada Ehi, and Kaestrings. The foundation's Managing Trustee, Wale Adenuga, emphasized that the beneficiaries' stories are just as important to the initiative as the music and entertainment featured at the concert.
Fundraising efforts will continue after the event through the foundation's 21 Days of Giving campaign, which begins on October 11. The foundation verifies beneficiaries, monitors the utilization of funds, and provides public reports on how donations are deployed. This ensures transparency and accountability in the use of funds raised during the Green Worship benefit concert.
Key points
- The Concert for Change Foundation aims to raise N500 million to support vulnerable children and charities providing services to children living with disabilities in Nigeria.
- The foundation has raised and disbursed N210 million since its establishment in 2006, supporting 49 charities and reaching over 8,000 children.
- The beneficiaries of this year's fundraising include six charities that provide specialized education, rehabilitation, prosthetic limbs, transportation, and infrastructure to children with disabilities.
