“I thought tech was mainly about coding”

This week on Moreny, we had a chat with the brilliant brain behind one of the most promising NGOs on the street of Lagos who also doubles as a young techie.

Gbemisola Dawn Fache spoke about her NGO, The Love on Streets and Bridges Project, her career transition and spilled interesting teas about what it is like working in tech and running a NGO.

What led you into tech, and how did you decide it was time to try something new?

My tech journey started in 2021. But before that time, I’ve always had a wrong mindset about tech, thinking it was not meant for me and all. And that was actually because I thought it was majorly about codes, things I can never understand and gibberish. I carried the mindset all through my uni days. So in 2021, I came across an organisation called Tech4Dev and my interest in tech was sparked as the narratives were proven to be false.

I am always in a quest for knowledge and there is this never ending desire to stay relevant, informed and updated.

When I wanted to transition into tech, the first thing I did was conquer my fear and the narrative that you must study a tech related course to thrive in tech.

In November, 2022, I applied for a Bootcamp and surprisingly, I was picked. The bootcamp was one of my major eye openers because it opened my eyes to the endless possibilities in tech, how vast it can be plus how seamless living can be with it.

From there, I joined a product management community and my learning phase kicked off in full force.

What was the transitioning phase like?

To be honest, the transitioning phase was quite interesting. I had already made up my mind that my fears would not get in the way, so I gave it my best.

The period where I got into the bootcamp I mentioned earlier was one of the most inconvenient periods because I was in a place where there was no stable electricity and good network. But what did it for me was my determination and grit, nothing could beat a determined mind at that point, so I kept on going. Most times, I had clashing activities, stayed up late into the night in order to catch up with classes.

I faced more pressing challenges whenever I find an error in my code and for days, I will be on it with tears and several God abeg.

 In conclusion, I will say the transitioning phase was an adventure. Well, it still is. I am still here and the growth is very obvious.

Running a non-governmental organisation can be a whole lot. From funding to getting people to volunteer.  What inspired the movement?

I would say God, frankly.

A little backstory-  I served in Ebonyi state, after I was done serving, I decided to stay back for a year to volunteer for an organisation that reaches out to women, teenagers and children  in low income communities. While doing that, I saw a lot of the realities of these people, there was a clear picture of how advantaged we are. I mean, humanity is not exactly humane to them, life and the environment they find themselves in is unfair to them too.

In 2022, (after I moved back to Lagos), I resumed work and I pass through computer village almost everyday. Each time, I see children on the street begging and I always wondered if those who have money can come and rescue these children to give them a better life.

About a year later, I got a call from my boss (the person I volunteered with after my service year) and she challenged me. I will call that phone call an awakening call.

I gathered a few of my friends with the same passion in a Whatsapp group, shared how we need to find a low income community to reach out to.

December 2022, we had our first outreach to Makoko and we’ve been with the children, parents and teenagers till now.

You run a non-governmental organisation with tech, how do you combine both?

It is a whole lot.

Combining both is not for the faint hearted and I must say, if you are not ready to embrace the if I perish, I perish approach, don’t try this at all. As humans, we have the ability to do a good number of things, and once we realise this, multitasking comes with ease. I sat myself down and told myself I must not be mediocre, I also made sure I never give excuses for myself. As regards my organisation, what makes it easy and seamless is that I am blessed with a beautiful community. All the volunteers are my very good friends, I never get overwhelmed.

There are days when I don’t feel like going to Makoko, I get stressed out, and feel uninterested. Days like these, God keeps me moving, my community of friends and mentors never make me consider giving up.

What is the LSB project about, basically?

The LSB project is Love on Streets and Bridges. Like I said earlier, it was born out of a strong desire to get children off the streets and help them live the life they are meant to live.

Basically, all we do is take steps to transform the kids in slums. Each of them, one by one.  The truth is that, if you ignore these ones that are less privileged, they will become the ones who end up hurting the privileged ones.

When people can’t make meaning out of their lives, they make a mess out of their lives. And at the end of the day, it dies down to us. The difference between two individuals is the process they have gone through. And that is the end goal of the LSB project. We want to ensure that despite where they are born in, they go through the right process. We take them through weekly Bible studies, Career coachings, support their education by providing textbooks, paying school fees, JAMB fees and we also organise parenting classes for their parents.

With the LSB project, we are looking forward to transforming lives, helping children on the street and slums grow a beautiful mindset because when the mind is transformed, life can be easily transformed.

What do you find most interesting about the things you do?

The joy of seeing lives transformed, really.

Going to Makoko almost every week is not exactly the most interesting of things but if you asked me what I find pleasurable about the project, I will say what I feel when I am going back home.

You know, the things that make the most impact are never convenient. The interesting periods are when any of our teenagers come out to say “oh, I made a better decision because of what you told me,” “thank you for the JAMB fee” or the joy on their parent’s faces when we give them food.

If you were given a $1,000 grant today, is there something you would like to spend the money on?

Well, to start with, $1,000 is not enough.

I will love to give a better life to our teenagers – put them in better schools, get better houses for their parents too.

If the money can be more than $1,000, I will definitely not think twice before I build shelter homes.

What is the biggest thing you have ever spent money on?

Hmm, this is hard to decide oh.

I will say it is in between empowering people and paying for courses.

 What is your money personality? A saver or a ‘you only live once’ advocate?

I think I am a saver but I do more of investments than saving. I invest on my mind and also invest my money on things that can yield more money. I don’t do you only live once.

What advice can you give to people who are currently looking into doing what you are doing?

I’ll love to tell you sometimes, it can be lonely and it could get rough on another day. Take all the experiences as an adventure. You will grow while at it.

Ensure to keep your walk with God very solid. Don't go on a journey without daily updates from the One who sent you.

Lastly, don’t do it alone. Ensure you leverage your community and make sure you have people.