Ikorodu witnessed a refreshing departure from the conventional celebration of Valentine’s Day as the Giving For Living Foundation marked February 14 with a purposeful outreach programme focused on vulnerable women, widows, single mothers, and young girls in need of hope, empowerment, and direction.
The event, held at the Divine Heritage Children’s Centre in Ikorodu, was organised in the spirit of love and compassion. It brought together women from diverse backgrounds to deliberate on faith, dignity, mental health, and economic empowerment.
With continued grassroots impact and growing testimonies, the Giving For Living Foundation is positioning itself as a beacon of hope for vulnerable women in Ikorodu and beyond.
Addressing participants, the Founder of the Foundation, Reverend Idowu Ebunoluwatoyin, emphasized that while February 14 is widely recognized as a season of love, the true essence of love begins with God.
“This programme is meant for us to deliberate with women—not just women, but the vulnerable ones, single mothers and challenged ones who have no one to share love with,” she said.
Reverend Ebunoluwatoyin explained that the Foundation exists to stand with women facing emotional, financial, and social challenges, helping them overcome negative obstacles and rebuild their lives with dignity.
She particularly addressed widows, urging them to uphold their self-worth and spiritual identity.
“There are widows that still have men running after them. They must keep their dignity and understand that they are married to Jesus Christ. And if they decide to remarry, it must be done properly—not through promiscuous and unruly relationships that allow men to take advantage of them.”
She advised women to prioritize their relationship with God, stressing that divine love provides strength and protection against life’s hardships.
“God is the Master of Love. Today, February 14th, is another reminder that we should give our lives to Him. Once the love of God covers us, we are free from all forms of negative hardships in life.”
Beyond spiritual encouragement, the Foundation has been actively involved in economic empowerment initiatives.
Reverend Ebunoluwatoyin disclosed that the organization is currently supporting eight women who previously could not afford to send their children to school due to financial hardship.
Rather than offering temporary relief, the Foundation provided funds to help them establish small businesses.
Today, she revealed, those women are financially stable enough to return their children to school.
“Our job is to give future and hope to strengthen the family,” she stated.
Despite operating without structured donor support, she expressed optimism that the Foundation’s impact would attract credible partners in due time.
“Though we do not presently have donors supporting what we are doing, we believe as we continue to touch lives and impact families, the right donors will see our good works and collaborate with us.”
The Foundation’s mission, she added, is to equip women and the girl child through structured skill acquisition programs, enabling them to venture into sustainable careers and elevate their socio-economic standing.
One of the most moving moments of the event was the Founder’s account of a young woman who approached the Foundation after being abandoned by a man who impregnated her.
Initially considering abortion, she sought help from the organization.
The Foundation discouraged the abortion and pledged full support.
“We supported this lady. She attended her antenatal properly and delivered a baby boy. She also wrote JAMB and gained admission into the University of Ado-Ekiti. Today, she is in 300 level, and we are still taking care of her and her son.”
The testimony drew emotional reactions from participants, reinforcing the Foundation’s commitment to life, education, and long-term empowerment.
Call for Patience and Strong Foundations
Speaking to young girls in attendance, Reverend Ebunoluwatoyin urged patience and self-discipline.
She warned against desperation in relationships, reminding them that “all that glitters is not gold,” and emphasized the importance of building a solid spiritual and moral foundation before making life-altering decisions.
“Be patient. Let God fix you properly in life. A good and solid foundation is the key.”
Mental Health Awareness Takes Centre Stage
Adding a professional perspective to the event was Modupe Apute, Mental Health and Addiction Counsellor and Founder of MO Nurturing Beautiful Minds.
She explained that February 14, globally recognized as a day of love, presents an opportunity to reach women who may feel emotionally neglected, overwhelmed, or isolated.
“We thought it good to use this day to bring women together—widows, vulnerable women, single mothers, and even married women facing challenges. This programme is meant to speak to them, lift them up, and create a medium to see how we can work with them over time.”
Apute educated participants on mental health, clarifying that mental health challenges are not always diseases but are often influenced by environmental factors, relationship stress, trauma, and sometimes genetics.
She highlighted key contributors to mental health struggles among women, including emotional abuse, financial pressure, social expectations, and unresolved trauma.
Participants were encouraged to be observant of their environment and take proactive steps to safeguard their mental well-being.
“Mental health issues are not necessarily sicknesses. They are often shaped by our environment, relationships, stress levels, and sometimes genetics. Women must guard their mental health intentionally.”
Rather than flowers and fleeting romance, the Giving For Living Foundation’s Valentine’s Day outreach offered something more enduring—faith, empowerment, and practical support.
The event concluded with prayers, networking sessions, and renewed commitment from participants to rebuild their lives with courage and resilience.
As Reverend Ebunoluwatoyin aptly summarized: “We are here to give future and hope. The best is yet to come.”
Interested donors can support through the account details below:
Divine Heritage Children Centre Orphanage
First Bank: 2025060311
Access Bank: 0045958969
INN-HOUSE☆ 