Do you think you can really take every child in your neighborhood as yours? Talk less of the entire world? If we took every child on planet earth as ours, we most definitely would have less (to zero) violence on children in our world today. And you know something more? According to Wadi Ben-Hirki Foundation #EveryChildIsYourChild.
But Okay…? Wadi Ben-Hirki Who…?
Glad you asked! Wadi Ben-Hirki is a young woman of Nigerian descent who like every Ashoka changemaker, first felt empathy for all the wrong she saw around her then took action. Despite being only 18 and being a young woman in Nigeria, Wadi stepped in to help many children who had been internally displaced by war; to help women who had been marginalized, and help youths in Northern Nigeria who needed to gain entrepreneurial skills to fend for themselves. So at age 17, Wadi began the Wadi Ben-Hirki Foundation to correct the wrongs done to underserved people around her in Nigeria.
WB-H Foundation is a non-profit organization currently based in Northern Nigeria (but has made contributions across the country). Wadi and her team work tirelessly to:
- Raise funds for charity homes, schools and colleges so kids can attend school at reduced/no cost.
- Support less-privileged children in schools with scholarships and donations of food, shelter, clothing and stationary.
- Provide women and youths with skills to help them make their own money despite hardship.
So what does the world have to say about Wadi?
On March 8, 2019 and in celebration of International Women’s Day, the Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS tweeted of Wadi saying,
“Nigerian women are among millions of extraordinary, inspiring women all over the world, in all walks of life. On #WomensDay Discover how Wadi Victoria Ben-Hirki and Abisoye Ajayi-Akinfola are inspiring millions #InspiredByHer”
EU in Nigeria
You would be totally inspired to realize that currently, 22 year old Wadi is also a Common Futures Conversation Representative to Nigeria under the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House) in London. CFC is a project to bring youths in Africa & Europe to dialogue on policy issues via an online platform. She serves on the African Leadership Institute Youth Advisory Board and was also a Special Guest from Africa at the 2018 Y20 Summit. Wadi is an Ashoka Changemaker and a ONE Champion with many awards to her name including being awarded Her Network Woman of the Future.
As a development worker, writer and public speaker, Wadi really wants to reignite the lost hope of hurting women and children. But how about you? What do you want? You know… this can TOTALLY be you too! But that’s if you believe and work towards your desired future.
Watch Wadi below, go check out the Wadi Ben-Hirki Foundation, and visit her personal website! Oh and do you want to speak to her online? Find her everywhere @wadibenhirki. Also read her experience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and catch up with Ngunan’s fictional story on child pregnancy.
Did you enjoy Wadi’s story? Join this train let’s give you more sweet stories and upcoming opportunities!
