Adenike

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Adenike Lasisi. I am an entrepreneur, health advocate and a mother of two beautiful girls. I am passionate about helping other women and I always look for ways to support and emancipate mothers via capacity building and empowerment.

As a child, what did you want to become in future? What do you do now?

I have always dreamt of becoming a nurse, because of my passion to help women and kids. I also love trading, something I was introduced to at early stage of my life. I eventually studied Chemistry instead of nursing and I am currently an entrepreneur. I am happy because it gives me the flexibility to engage in other interests.

Why did you volunteer as a Mamalette Champion?

I derive my inner joy from putting smiles on the faces of others. I identify with the Mamalette platform as it allows me to put my ideas and passion, into practice. I have therefore leveraged on the opportunities presented by Mamalette to express my desire to reach out to the women in my community.

What was a striking moment for you during this program?

My first role as a Mamalette Champion involved holding monthly Motherhood Cell Group meetings. This year I switched to carrying out Home Visits. I realised that meeting the enrolees in the comfort of their homes, made them feel more at ease. They were also able to share some of their struggles and challenges with me, something they were unable to do in our group meetings.

I also loved the professional advice I was able give, based on the materials given to me by Mamalette and the frequent trainings. However, this work comes with its own challenges, as my enrolees also expect me to help them solve some of their personal issues.

Can you share a story of an enrolee whose life you have impacted during this program?

One of my enrolees was well educated, however I noticed she had very little knowledge on preventive health. She was always complaining and lamenting that are children were always falling ill with malaria. During one of my Home Visits, I taught her the “Preventing Malaria in Infant and Children” topic on the curriculum.

She then observed that her family was not using insecticide treated nets. Her children no longer suffer from frequent malaria because they have now begun to sleep under insecticide treated nets.

What in your life made you care about other people around you?

I had a difficult childhood because my mother was absent. I lived with my father and my step mother as a result, life was a ‘living hell’ for me growing up. Due to my experience, I have vowed to do everything within my power to help other women build good homes. I believe that empowering women to learn skills and earn an income can help prevent marital uses and ultimately prevent divorce and separation that can impact the lives of children negatively.

Describe a time during the program where you felt helpless.

The Home Visits were very challenging, as it was not easy to be gain acceptance from enrolees. Some of the women wanted their privacy to be respected. I was helpless at a point when almost all my enrolees either cancelled or shifted their appointments without notice. My husband has always been very supportive and he taught me a smart and friendly approach to gain more of their attention.

What is your hope for your community?

I hope and wish that women in my community will be have the knowledge and education that they need to build healthy families. I also hope that women in my community will have the opportunity to build their skill set and increase their earning potential, so they can properly look after their children and themselves.

What message do you have for other women who are looking to make an impact in their communities?

Selfless service comes with a lot of sacrifice and tolerance. They should be ready to support their community in whatever little way they can financially, morally and otherwise.

“People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”