Peace Begins with You

Good Deeds Day 2024: Spreading Kindness in Ondo State The 2024 Good Deeds Day celebration in Ondo State unfolded with resounding success, marking a transformative moment that resonated with kindness, empathy, and community spirit. The event took place at the Ago-Ireti Community. It was a testament to the power of collective goodwill and the potential for positive change. The day commenced with a solemn opening prayer, symbolizing the unity and shared purpose of the community. Esteemed guests, including the National Coordinator Good Deeds Day Southwest, Martin Mary Falana, State Coordinator Mrs. Abidoye Irene, and Assistant State Adviser Mrs. Odedele, graced the occasion. The event also welcomed representatives from various NGOs, such as Kids & Teens Resource Centre, Gold Heart Foundation, Glorious Child of Hope, Mercy Speaks Initiative, Pace Setter, Gender Vanguard CDs, and Sojitade Foundation, underscoring the collaborative efforts towards fostering kindness and positive change. Mrs. Abidoye Irene delivered the opening speech, tracing the origins of Good Deeds Day. She noted its global impact since its inception at Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. Highlighting the movement’s focus on promoting kindness, positive speech, and actions, particularly among the youth. She also emphasized the far-reaching influence of Good Deeds Day, engaging over 108

Empowering Women in Rural Communities At the recent UN CSW68 event in New York, Mrs. Folashade Bamigboye, the Executive Director of Kids & Teens Resource Centre, shared an inspiring message about the crucial need for innovatively empowering women in rural areas. This important gathering brought together participants to discuss and address gender equality challenges affecting women in rural African communities. In her address, Mrs. Bamigboye highlighted the persistent gender inequality faced by rural women and girls. She emphasized the theme, “Challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls.” Also, she stressed the need to overcome challenges and create opportunities for the empowerment of rural women and girls. She laid emphasis on key reasons why this empowerment is vital: 1. Economic Empowerment: Empowering women with access to financial resources, education, and training can help them start businesses, increase productivity, and gain independence, breaking the cycle of poverty. 2. Healthcare Improvement: Empowered women are more likely to seek healthcare for themselves and their families. This in turn leads to better maternal and child health outcomes. 3. Social Empowerment: Empowering women allows them to have a voice in decision-making processes. It also gives them the opportunity

World Health Day; My Health, My Right On April 7, 2024, the Oke Ilero/Ita Oniyan Community in Isinkan Akure hosted a successful World Health Day event organized by the Kids & Teens Resource Center (K&TRC) under the theme “My Health, My Right.” The event aimed to raise awareness about individual health rights and promote overall well-being. The day began with the arrival of participants and the registration process, accompanied by the rendition of the National Anthem. The event featured various organizations, including the Youth Africa Leadership Initiative (YALI), Mari Stone International (MSI), and K&TRC, all of which played pivotal roles in the day’s activities. Miss Ayoola Adebayo from YALI started the day’s discussions with her opening remarks. She emphasized the significance of the theme “My Health, My Right.” The event also featured a compelling presentation by Mrs. Oluronti from MSI. Her presentation focused on mental health and its profound impact on daily life, relationships, and physical well-being. The presentation highlighted risk factors, common mental disorders, and methods for identification and treatment. Furthermore, Mrs. Adedutun Israel addressed the crucial topic of family planning. He advocated for responsible decision-making to ensure the proper care and upbringing of children. After this, a session