For Hidayah Bello, who grew up in Idah Local Government Area of Central Nigeria’s Kogi State, a fulfilling life is spent helping the underprivileged. She had always seen the need to extend kindness to the people around her in every way she could.
In 2018, amidst the Ramadan fasting period, Bello came across a social media post asking for donations to help feed vulnerable women and children. As someone with a heart for giving, she then jumped on the opportunity by donating funds.
“From that moment, I joined efforts with other people to carry out several projects ranging from feeding the needy, community outreaches, visits to orphanages, clearing of medical bills for those on admission in the hospital, and also paying school fees for those in need,” Bello recounted.
Following these philanthropic gestures, Bello officially started the Danjuma Bello Foundation in 2022, a nonprofit organisation aiming to help eradicate poverty and make a difference in the lives of underprivileged people.
“After we launched, we started carrying out our projects through donations and collaborations from individuals with the mission to see that we lend a helping hand to improve the lives of women and children living in underserved communities,” Bello said.
Through the Ramadan projects, the foundation identifies communities needing feeding and clothing support, ensuring they receive essential assistance. In Kogi State, the foundation has provided raw food materials to over 150 households. In the Ramadan period of 2023, the foundation fed at least 50 people daily throughout the month and distributed food items to over 200 households during community outreaches.
Back-to-school project
As Nigeria’s out-of-school population continues to rise, Bello and her team saw the need to respond swiftly by facilitating the enrollment of out-of-school children into primary schools in Ankpa, Kogi State.
The enrollment started in September 2023 has already helped 15 pupils return to classrooms at Ojonoka Academy, Ankpa. However, in selecting the beneficiaries, the foundation scouts out for orphaned children or those whose mothers are widowed and unable to afford their fees.
“Initially, we had plans to carry out a back-to-school project. Then, we came across a post requesting assistance to pay fees and provide other school items for children in Ankpa, so we had to opt in for that and were able to enrol and pay school fees for 15 children. But then, our target is to enrol 50 who we expect to be children between the ages of 3 to 12 and within primary 1 to 6,” Bello told Prime Progress.
Muhammed Umar was among many children enrolled in the Ojonoka Academy Ankpa by the foundation. He felt that without their help, he may not have had the opportunity to experience education.
“I was excited because without them taking me to school and paying all the expenses, I wouldn’t have been in school because my mother can’t afford it,” Umar said.
According to Bello, the foundation presently depends on self-funding and donations. However, they have initiated discussions on sustainability plans and are actively seeking more extensive collaborations to implement the ideas they have on the table.
“One of the plans is that as board members, we have agreed to put aside a certain amount of money monthly, which will be used directly to fund some of our projects,” Bello shared.
Challenges also limit the foundation’s work because Bello admitted they juggle their humanitarian work and 9-5 jobs. She highlighted that all her team members are working class, and often, they only have weekends to carry out the services.
Despite the struggles, Bello said there was something that kept them pushing. “We believe that through this work, we are planning for a bountiful reward in heaven, and we also feel motivated seeing the joy and smiles on the faces of these people we support,” she confessed.
Bello told Prime Progress that while they hope to get more funding support, they also plan to renovate at least eight classrooms at the Ojonoka Academy Ankpa.
“Some of our planned projects are providing access to clean water by creating water boreholes and wells, empowering widows, divorcees, orphans, and our feeding project, and we are hopeful that with support from our donors and partners, we will be implementing these projects,” Bello concluded.
Hidayah Bello, hailing from Idah Local Government Area in Nigeria's Kogi State, is dedicated to aiding the underprivileged. Her charity work began in earnest in 2018 during Ramadan and included feeding vulnerable women and children, supporting community outreaches, clearing medical bills, and paying school fees. This led her to establish the Danjuma Bello Foundation in 2022, focusing on alleviating poverty and improving lives.
The Foundation’s projects include providing raw food to over 150 households, daily feeding programs during Ramadan, and enrolling out-of-school children in primary schools. In 2023, they facilitated the enrollment of 15 children into Ojonoka Academy, targeting 50 children between ages 3 to 12. Despite financial and logistical challenges, the Foundation relies on donations and self-funding from board members to sustain its activities.
Future plans include renovating classrooms, creating access to clean water, and empowering vulnerable groups. Bello and her team are motivated by the joy they bring to the people they help and remain hopeful for more support from donors and partners to implement their projects.
