SUCCESS YOLE AREEVESO

Success is a Social Entrepreneur with over two years of experience working on a myriad of social impact projects covering education, food security, skill acquisition, advocacy campaigns, and youth empowerment. She is a 4th year Education Chemistry student at the University of Benin who is passionate about solving educational problems in underserved communities. Success is the co-founder of Church on the Street NGO, where she is engaged in organizing projects to ensure children from under-served communities have access to nutritious warm meals and quality education.

“Most times rejection is just a redirection.”

Q: Tell us a few things about your country, and also your life's story!

My home country is the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Nigeria is a blessed land, rich with beautiful mineral resources. There are over 250 ethnic groups, each with different languages and customs. The major groups are Fulani/Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo with over 68 percent of the total population. English is the official language, used in both education and government.

Due to its diversity, Nigeria is rich in cultures and traditions and there has been a huge push to preserve them. Nigeria is often referred to as the "Giant of Africa", owing to its large population and economy, and is considered to be an emerging market by the World Bank. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the seventh-most populous country in the world, with an estimated population of 206 million. Nigeria gained her independence from the United Kingdom on the 1st of October, 1960.

I have always been excited about what the future holds and I am grateful for the experiences so far. I am in my fourth year studying Education Chemistry at the University of Benin.

First of all, I am grateful to God! My journey through the University of Benin has only been by his Grace and Mercy. As a young, vibrant lady, I wanted to study Chemical Engineering but I was admitted to study Education Chemistry. This was a very devastating moment of my life. You know the saying, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. All my plans to transfer out of Education Chemistry failed. God took perfect control of my journey.

I was in my second year at University when church on the street started. Church on the street is an NGO that helps provide meals and education for children across the country. We started out with a single project reaching out to an orphanage, and it was such a fulfilling moment in my life as I saw the smiles on the faces of these children, we never knew it would blossom into an organisation. My friends and I were so enthusiastic about helping others and putting smiles on their faces and also preaching the Gospel of God.

I am glad I said yes to that project and it has blossomed into a beautiful organisation that has reached thousands of children. My journey at Church on the street was the beginning of my advocacy journey. I am grateful for the experiences, growth, lessons and also the amazing people I have met through the organization. Reflecting on my journey, I am filled with so much gratitude.

If I was not a part of that organisation, I don't think I would have been advocating for change through different projects or even sharing my story with Global Thinkers Forum. I have learned that whatever you are going through is just a phase and with the right mindset and attitude you will come out successful.

Q: What was your experience of the global pandemic crisis? Did it change your life and/or your views about the world? If so, how?

Covid-19 changed a lot of things in my life. I remember when I heard the news about the total shutdown. I was undergoing my second teaching practice programme (teaching practice is compulsory for all education students - we get posted to a school and teach students for the duration of the programme. This helps us build skills and prepare to work as a professional teacher).

I thought I would stay indoors for two weeks, but I ended up staying at home for almost a year. I was out of school and automatically got an extra year. I was supposed to graduate in 2020, but due to the pandemic and Academic Student University Union (ASUU) strike, I will be graduating in 2021.

I was able to move through the pandemic by adapting to the new normal and also by God's Grace. I volunteered my time and resources for different advocacy projects, attended virtual conferences, and took my personal development seriously.

I had devastating moments as I was rejected from some important programmes, but I also got selected for some, which was a major highlight of my 2020. I tried exploring a lot of my interests, but most importantly I learnt not to give up and bounce back like the queen God made me. I am grateful for the blessings and lessons of the pandemic.

Q: What are some of the key challenges in your society currently?

The rate at which undergraduates go missing is alarming! Insecurity is one of the major challenges in Nigeria. My university had to enforce preventive measures to stop this evil going on, it is so sad to watch. The prices of food items are also increasing on a daily basis.

Q: Can you share with us some of the hurdles that you have had to overcome in your life so far? How did you handle them? 

Fear! Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real. I used to be so scared of taking life-changing steps. Fear cripples you, and at times gives you the feeling of not being worthy. I was able to overcome this by reading books, actively practising positive talks and taking action. I read a book by Bishop T.D Jakes and one part says you have to feel the fear and do it anyway. The world is waiting for you! 

Q: If you were to ask one thing from our current leaders, what would it be?

What are your plans to make Nigeria great again, because corruption and bad leadership have made the country lose its potential and people can’t afford three square meals a day, basic education for children or healthcare. The problems seem to increase on a daily basis, why are we moving backwards?

Q: Why is the role of a mentor important for you?

The role of a mentor is vital to an individual. A mentor is there to guide you and help you on your Journey. I am very grateful to my mentor Ms Amanda Obidike. She has guided me with patience and provided me with effective resources, tools which will help me when I graduate from the University. 

Q: Do you have a lesson that life has taught you and you would like to share? 

Rejection at times is just redirection! I am saying this because during the pandemic, I was very invested in my career growth and I was applying for some life changing programmes. All was going well until I started getting rejection letters. In some cases, I didn’t even hear anything back. It was so painful at the time. 

My friend Erioluwa Adeyinka sent me an opportunity for student teachers in their final year. He asked me to apply and share with my network of friends. It stated they were only going to select 20 individuals. I applied a day before the deadline and never thought I would get in. That single step changed my life! Never second guess yourself. I felt I wasn't good enough because of the rejection letters, but I am more than enough!

The training took four weeks and I also participated in a pitch grant competition. We were asked to provide solutions to solve educational problems in underserved communities, and I came out with the first runner up position. After this I was nominated to participate as one of the hosts for a gathering of education activists, called the Youth by Youth Event. It connected education activists from over 40 countries and we radically reimagined the future of education together. 

I shared my journey on YouTube and encouraged other young people to apply for the next round. I got amazing feedback from people who read my story, watched the video and applied. It is a life changing programme for student teachers, and I am forever grateful for that opportunity. 

Most times rejection is just redirection. I am thankful I was rejected from those programmes and I am grateful I took a chance on myself and applied for the Life Changing Teachers in Training Programme. 

Q: Name a project, a foundation or a person in your country that you think is doing great work in helping improve other people's lives!

Hammed Kayode Alabi! I like to call him "Coachee". He is a young change maker who is working very hard to ensure children from rural communities gain access to quality education. He is the founder of the Kayode Alabi Leadership and Career Initiative, where I was one of the beneficiaries on their Teachers in Training Bootcamp. 

Hammed is a social entrepreneur, author, SDGs Youth Champion, and educator with 12 years of active citizenship and volunteering experience. He is currently studying for an MSc in Africa and International Development at the prestigious University of Edinburgh through the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship. 

He served as a Fellow-in-Residence and Regional Manager at Peace First and led its core programs in more than 30 + Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Hammed has facilitated sessions on social innovation and change in two different continents Africa and the Middle East. He also published a Pan-African book, “The Africa I Dream to See.” 

Hammed is also the Founding Executive Director for Kayode Alabi Leadership and Career Initiative (KLCI), where he has supported over 3419 students in underserved communities in Nigeria to develop life and 21st-century skills needed for the workforce and future of work. He also launched the Teachers-in-Training Bootcamp to support student teachers with skills and resources to solve educational challenges in rural communities. 

Q: What are some of the challenges that women in your country face and what efforts are being made towards gender equality?

Inequality with regards to access to jobs. Often females are at a huge disadvantage while applying for jobs or even trying to build their career. There are a lot of NGOs that are advocating for gender equality and linking women with life-changing opportunities, such as The AGS Tribe and The BMGA Enterprise, amongst others. 

Q: Share with us a phrase, a poem or a story that you love or you find interesting!

When I was down in my third year of university because my grades had dropped, affecting my CGPA, I was faced with a lot of school work. What kept me going was this verse from the Bible. My professor shared it with me at the time. It gave me so much strength, I recited it almost every day. 

Philippians 4 Vs 13- " I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me". 

Q: Can you share with us a project that you would like to make happen for your country or a cause that you are passionate about? 

I would like to have my own talk show where I interview young people challenging the status quo and creating a change in their own capacity. They would get to share their stories, struggles and victories. I believe this would ignite a spark in the lives of others and also motivate them to become better versions of themselves.