Ex-minister unveils N70m charity home, rallies support for vulnerable children

Former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has called on Nigerians to rally behind charitable causes that uplift vulnerable children, disadvantaged youths, victims of domestic abuse, and persons living with disabilities, as she unveiled a newly completed N70m halfway home in Abuja.

In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja to commemorate the fourth anniversary of her non-profit organisation, DashMe Foundation, Adeosun said the newly built structure would serve as a transitional shelter for young adults who have outgrown orphanages and require support as they begin independent life.

“We celebrate a major milestone with the completion of the N70m DashMe Foundation House for the Sought After Women and Children Foundation. This halfway home offers maturing young adults between 18 to 25 years a safe and dignified space to begin adulthood,” she said.

According to the ex-minister, many orphans face a legal and social void after turning 18, and the facility bridges that gap by offering vocational training, education, mentorship, and transitional shelter.

The house was completed in eight months and represents more than just a building; it is a symbol of hope and transformation,” she added.

Adeosun expressed deep appreciation to donors, volunteers and supporters, whom she described as “saints who serve without a spotlight.”

She noted that the DashMe Foundation model is built on mobilising community generosity through the collection and resale of donated items, with proceeds used to fund interventions for the most vulnerable in society.

Also speaking, Founder of the Sought After Women and Children Foundation, Carol Silver-Oyaide, expressed gratitude to Adeosun and her team for the gesture, describing the halfway home as a life-changing project.

“Our vision is to restore hope to the abused, hurting and abandoned. This halfway house will change the trajectory for some of the most resilient young people,” she stated.

As part of the celebration, DashMe also unveiled a new charity store in Wuse 2, Abuja, its third outlet after similar branches in Surulere and Lekki, Lagos. The store resells new and gently used items donated by the public to generate revenue for humanitarian projects.

DashMe Store is four years old, and the new outlet in the heart of Abuja is another big step. People can declutter and donate quality items, handbags, shoes, toys, furniture, which we sell to support orphanages, the physically challenged, and the needy,” Adeosun said.

She noted that the initiative, which began modestly in 2021, has grown into a dynamic operation with a footprint across Nigeria and in the United Kingdom and the United States.

The foundation’s impact, she said, spans several states, from urban Lagos to rural Cross River and insurgency-hit Borno, where it supports internally displaced persons.

In Lagos, it donated N7m to the Last Hope Faith Orphanage for the construction of a permanent home for children, while in Ogun State, it funded a N20m home for the YAOCH Orphanage equipped with a solar-powered water system, kitchen, and safe sleeping arrangements.

DashMe also provided N2.5m worth of anti-epileptic drugs and a sensory therapy room at Peculiar Saints Orphanage and rebuilt the Save the Children Home in Owerri from the ground up.

Recognising the plight of women fleeing abusive situations, the Foundation has also supported survivors in domestic violence shelters with start-up funds to enable them to start small businesses and rebuild their lives.

“Every item fuels hope. Every sale transforms a life. That’s the heart of DashMe, bringing people together through simple acts of kindness to create lasting change,” Adeosun said.

She announced plans to scale up the organisation’s reach, open more charity stores, deepen partnerships, and develop fresh initiatives to support underserved communities.

“Whether it’s a toy or a piece of furniture, if it’s in good condition, bring it to a DashMe Store. It could be the very thing that brings relief to someone in desperate need,” she concluded.