- S
My name is Sonia, and I will be spending time in my home country, Nigeria, over the December–January holiday period. While I’m there, I know I will be encountering many people living with deep economic hardship, and I would like to do something small but concrete to brighten a few lives.
This fundraiser is for a simple project I am calling “Random Moments of Kindness.” Instead of raising money for a large organization, I am raising a modest pool of funds that I will personally use on the ground in Nigeria to provide small, one time gifts to people in obvious need. These may be cash gifts or in kind support like food, basic household items, medication, school related needs, or transport fares, depending on what I encounter and what seems most helpful in the moment.
All funds from this GoFundMe will come to me in Canada (as the organizer) and then be taken with me or transferred using legal channels to Nigeria. From there, I will distribute them directly to individuals and families I meet over the course of my trip, focusing on:
- people struggling to afford food or essential daily items
- informal workers, caregivers, and small traders whose income is clearly not meeting basic needs
- one off emergencies where a relatively small amount could meaningfully change a situation (for example, transport to a hospital or exam fees)
To keep this effort grounded and manageable, I’m planning roughly $25, $50, or $100 CAD per “random moment of kindness,” depending on the situation, which is currently up to about ₦100,000 at the high end. With a goal of $1,500 CAD (~$1000 USD), this should allow support for roughly 10–30 people or families, depending on the mix of smaller and larger gifts.
These are not ongoing stipends; they are one time interventions meant to offer some breathing room, relief, or joy during a very difficult season for many.
Transparency and dignity are important to me. I will:
- keep a simple, anonymized log of how much is given, in what form (cash vs. in kind), and what broad type of need it supported (e.g., food, transport, school, health)
- share periodic written updates on this GoFundMe while I am there, using only non identifying details so that recipients’ privacy and dignity are respected
- after the trip, post a short overall summary showing how the total funds were allocated across these categories
This is a personal initiative, not a registered charity, so donations are not tax deductible.
By contributing, you are trusting my judgment on the ground to identify people in need and to use the funds in line with the purpose described here. If, for any reason, I am unable to travel or there is a major change in plans, I will update this page promptly and either refund donations or clearly explain any revised plan before using the funds.
If you are in a position to give, any amount—large or small—will help create more of these moments.
If you are not able to donate, sharing this fundraiser with others is also deeply appreciated.
Thank you for considering being part of this small but intentional effort to extend some kindness and relief to people who need it this holiday season.