Change A Life

Background There are some moments in life that are pivotal. Those moments represent either a turning point or the birth of something new. This was the case eight years ago on the New Dawn with Funmi Iyanda show. Not inclined to peddling charity cases for improved show ratings, the New Dawn team decided to make an exception in the case of Seun Goriola. He was a tiny three-year old boy with a deteriorating hole in his heart who needed surgery.Without this surgery, Seun would surely die. And so the crew of New Dawn made that pivotal decision to change a life. They took to the airwaves and told Seun's story. The response was overwhelming. Within a week, over one million naira was raised for the surgery. Sometimes however our best efforts are too late. Seun Goriola died the day before he was due to travel to Israel. However two other couples with babies in similar situations approached New Dawn after Seun's death. Seun's parents were approached and asked if the money raised could be used to save another child in need. Despite their pain, they agreed and today Favour Okafor and Salami are alive and well. It was now evident to the crew of New Dawn that something needed to be done to prevent deaths like Seun's and help other people in need. After deep conversation and serious thought, a question was put out there for viewers asking, "Can N10, 000 change a life?" People wrote in and answered resoundingly YES. And thus the Change-A-Life project was born. With the support of former Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, sixty-eight people were awarded grants of N10, 000 each for micro businesses and educational projects. Over the years Change-A-Life has evolved into a family support project for brilliant but indigent individuals from one-parent homes in extenuating situations of need. The project has affected the lives of 150 children and over 3000 people through its scholarship and health care support services.