By our Reporter
As part of efforts to help mitigate the impact of homelessness and provide shelter to vulnerable communities, the Give hope to the slum foundation based in Lagos has launched an initiative called “KNAPSACK”.
According to a team member,Seun Olowoniyi explained that homelessness can happen to almost anyone, especially in a country where housing is not a right and the housing market has become an investor’s paradise saying this is a global problem that affects people in both developed and developing countries, regardless of economic, social, and cultural backgrounds, and addressing it in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Speaking further, the “NAPSACK” Plan is nothing short of a game-changer. It is one in which the sole purpose is to tackle the basic need of shelter by providing necessities to this effect and that is why we are launching the initiative”, said Olowoniyi
The President,Dr Johnson Babajide explained that the Napsack project was envisioned to provide shelter, researching possible prevention processes, as well as a diversion for those experiencing homelessness adding that this is to realize the goal of not exiting anyone who experienced this on the street while preventing thousands more from becoming homeless during this crisis.
Johnson also said,“the goal of project #Napsack is to mitigate the negative effect of their exposure to extreme conditions of the weather on their body, health, and general well-being by putting together a napsack of essentials that can help them cope even under such conditions”.
On what the foundation intends to do this December, he explained that “The Give Hope to the Slum Child Programme” plans to distribute packaged amenities such as sleeping shelters as well as food supplies, medical supplies, toiletries, and a lot more to vulnerable groups in Nigeria during the pandemic.
The President explained that actualizing the idea, he hopes will be aided by donors, investors, and communities at large, to tackle the crisis and help out vulnerable sections of the population while explaining that the donations received will go towards funding the activities of TGP Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan, which include; buying and shipping essential supplies such as sleeping bags and sleeping essentials, providing food supplies and other amenities, providing recommendations to the general population and research on how to prevent homelessness in Nigeria.
Johnson who appealed to the members of the public for donations to support the cause saying the foundation is encouraged by the support that has been received in the previous years which has reinforced the foundation’s operational strength saying all thanks goes to existing donors who are currently seeing the impact of the work done across the country.
He added,interested members of the public can visit the website to donate and learn more about the organization www.thegiveproject.com.ng