Teenager Aderolayo Olowodola saves pocket money to help less privileged

Philanthropist teenager Aderolayo Olowodola

A 15-year-old Aderolayo Olowodola has donated shoes and stationery to pupils of Community Primary School, Igbo-Adigun, Idiroko in Ogun State after saving up his pocket money and engaging in menial jobs like picking and selling plastic waste.

The year two student of Corona Secondary School, Agbara in Ogun State had initiated the Can-Can Project in 2019 when his school encouraged students to partake in community service projects.

He explained that the initiative was born out of the idea of scavengers searching bins for valuable items to sell, hence he also decided to collect biodegradable items to sell and give back to communities by helping the less privileged.

Explaining how it works, the young philanthropist said he collected empty bottles, cans, tins, among others, and sold them to recyclers who bought a tonne for N40,000.

The teenager explained that he decided to help pupils who lacked school sandals at Community Primary School after his civic education teacher, identified simply as Mr Bello, mentioned it when he taught them community service and philanthropy.

With support from Mr Bello and head of co-curricular activities at Corona Secondary School, Mrs Sonuga; Aderolayo, his mother and sister went to Community Primary School on March 17.

Aderolayo addressed the pupils about being the best they can be for themselves. Headmistress of the school, one Mrs Miracle, was moved to tears.

Last year, the teenager sponsored the education of 20 pupils of Morit International School, Lagos located on Iyalode Street at Ajegunle, for a term through his Can-Can initiative.

He, therefore, urged Nigerians to imbibe the habit of recycling waste.