The Louis Awode Foundation distributed food items to female staff members of the Lagos State Waste Management Agency who work in waste collection and sanitation in the Surulere axis of the state on Friday.
In a statement on Sunday, the organisation stated that the outreach, dubbed Touching Lives 1.0, was designed to support women in physically demanding, often under-appreciated roles.
Many of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the gesture, noting that it not only provided immediate relief but also made them feel recognised for their hard work in keeping the city clean. The founder of LAF, Louis Awode, emphasised that the distribution was part of its ongoing efforts to empower women and improve the welfare of workers in essential public services.
According to him, the foundation selected female staff members of LAWMA as beneficiaries of the outreach because they play a critical role in maintaining environmental hygiene and public health in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
“These women rise before most of the city awakens, working tirelessly to clear dirt and debris to ensure a cleaner, safer, and more livable city for all.
Despite the significance of their work, they often receive wages that do not fully reflect their contributions,” said Awode.
LAWMA staff frequently face numerous challenges, including the health risks associated with their work. Waste collection and disposal are physically demanding, involving heavy lifting, long hours of walking, and handling sharp or hazardous objects.
Many women report chronic pain, fatigue, and musculoskeletal issues. Additionally, low or irregular wages make it difficult for them to support their families or meet basic needs, and the lack of formal contracts or benefits further increases their vulnerability.
One of the beneficiaries, who has worked with the agency for 16 years, shared her story. She joined LAWMA as a road cleaner after moving to Lagos from her village, where she had been left without support.
“When I came from the village, there was nothing to do and nowhere to turn to. It seemed as though all hope was lost. But I held on to God. There was a day I was searching for a job, and somebody referred me to LAWMA,” she noted, according to the statement.
Another beneficiary, who introduced herself as Mrs Titilayo, expressed gratitude to LAF for extending a hand of benevolence to her and other staff members whose efforts are often overlooked. “I really appreciate the foundation for providing me with these items. You will always see favour, and no harm shall befall you,” she prayed.
Established in 2025 by Awode, who is a former students’ union leader, LAF’s work is anchored on four key areas: education, community development, empowerment, and global impact.
The foundation aims to improve living standards in underserved areas, support underprivileged students, first-generation graduates, and persons with disabilities through scholarships, mentorship, digital literacy, and vocational training programmes, and seeks to foster financial independence and leadership capacity, particularly among youth, women, and persons with disabilities, among others.
Speaking further, Awode added that the outreach aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 11. “By celebrating and giving back to these unsung heroes, the Louis Awode Foundation seeks to honour their dedication, restore dignity to their work, and reaffirm our belief that every contribution to society deserves recognition and appreciation.”
A volunteer and the Marketing-lead for the foundation, Taiwo Abdulai, noted that she was beyond belated to contribute to the success of the outreach, adding that it was a reminder that kindness can restore the hopes of people.
“Seeing the smiles on the faces of the beneficiaries was incredibly moving and humbling. It filled my heart with gratitude, joy, and a deep sense of fulfillment. In those moments, everything felt worthwhile, the time, effort, and planning, because their smiles were a powerful reminder that kindness, when given sincerely, can restore hope, affirm worth, and create lasting emotional impact,” she said.
