Visiting the Slums of Lagos

Reflection on the visit by Amaka:

I knew that some people had it bad, and I wasn’t exactly shocked to see how the people in the Slums of Lagos were living, but I didn’t feel sorry for them. I knew that a lot of people hate pity. I know that I hate it. It feels like you are less than someone else, and that it can make you bitter. So I didn’t pity them. I didn’t feel so good that other human beings that have the same potential for greatness as anyone else, are living in a stinky place, surrounded by sewer water, and with little food and shelter. I just felt angry and confused. Angry, because I knew that everyone deserves to live at least to a decent degree, with food, water, and decent shelter. People should have this basic right. I especially felt this way when I heard how many of them had become displaced. Because of the government. The government that is supposed to protect them, had instead bulldozed their homes and lives into oblivion the way people bulldoze farmlands to build and sell beautiful houses and properties. This led me into feeling confused. How can people knowingly do this to other human beings? I felt like throwing up. Killing people, destroying their houses. And for what? To make more money? I was sick to my stomach, and all I felt was confusion and anger at these people. These people in power that were killing and ruining the lives of all these innocent people, when they are supposed to protect them. I guess I shouldn't’ be surprised. People tend to be very selfish and only think of that they will get out of it, and not about the consequences.

We first went to Monkey Village. It was a tiny place, just on the outskirts of a much nicer, wealthier Ikeja neighborhood. In the background, you could see big houses, and people going about their lives, but then you come back to reality, and all you see is poverty, children, and a lot of dust and dirt. And they were in better condition.

The second village Sogunro, near Makoko, was ten, twenty, thirty times worse. It was much bigger, but it was on the water. The houses were in disarray, the people all looked tired, and there were no bathrooms in sight. To get across the water, there were these very precariously stacked boards like makeshift bridges, and you just had to hope and pray that they didn’t collapse and that you didn’t fall into the water. To get around on the water, there were many different very simple canoes that we saw several people paddling down the stream. It was only when someone pointed it out that I realized that this water was sewage water. They relieve themselves in this water and clean themselves with the very same water afterwards. I then saw the bathrooms. They were precariously perched rooms on the edge of the water with nothing below them. When you use the bathroom, it goes straight into the water that they were canoeing in. I sincerely hoped that nobody swam or washed anything in that water.

With all of that said, I learned a few things from this experience.. First, life can be hard. Extremely hard. You just have to persevere and push through all the hardships to come out on the other side, stronger than before. Second, People can be horrible. A lot of the people that we saw were in that position because other people came and destroyed their homes. You can’t do anything about what other people are doing, but you can decide what you are going to do. Will you try to get revenge and be angry for the rest of your life? Or will you try to find another way to get through it? And lastly, these are the cards you have been dealt. You can decide what you want to do with it. Some people were born with a silver spoon, and some were born with less than nothing. Will you just sit and let life pass you by, or will you learn to work with what you have, and get somewhere, and do something worthwhile with your short time on this earth? 

Betty Abah posted summary of our visit on facebook.

CEE Hope headquarters

Our day started with an early morning visit with the staff and Betty Abah, Executive Director of CEE Hope, a local NGO that has been working with the kids from the slums Over the years, our family has provided funds for the education and upkeep of some the children..Ms. Abah explained their work and the loaded agenda for the day. We had made arrangements for warm food and cold drinks for the kids we were going to visit.

 

Monkey Village, the first community we visited.

Amaka speaking with the children

Sogunro Village,  near Makoko, the second village we visited located in the shadows of Third Mainland Bridge. The majority of the residents are evictees from Otodo-Gbame.

The access road to the community is a pile of garbage. Not sure if the trash collectors ever come to this part of Lagos.

The Toilets:

We met with 192 kids and volunteers. The kids were happy to see us, and were grateful for the food and drinks. We had the opportunity to talk with them about education and about the need to dream beyond the current circumstances. 

Our day was over late in the evening--after 7:00 PM. We go on to our comfortable homes.