1. Volunteering Opportunity
I had the opportunity to volunteer for the Make Them Merry Outreach’ 2025 in Alaagba Village, located after Idere in Ibarapa Local Government, Igbo-ora, Oyo State. Logistics cost was funded by the organization.
2. Journey Begins
My journey began on Friday, December 12, 2025, as I departed from Obada-oko, Ogun State. I travelled from Obada to Lafenwa, then to Rounder, then by vehicle to Igbo-ora, and finally by another car to arrive in Idere, where I spent the night with fellow volunteers. We packed gifts, printed registration sheets, printed registration tickets, and planned the activities.
3. Journey to Alaagba Village
Early the next morning, on the 13th of December, we continued our journey from Idere to Alaagba in a local vehicle called “korope,” which is used to transport people and farm produce. We got this korope when we transported ourselves to Orita from Idere, after a surprising scene of a driver going to Alaagba who didn’t want to transport us for reasons best known to him, before this scene, we had stopped more than 5 Koropes and 4 cars who weren’t going to Alaagba. After we got to Orita, the scenic ride took approximately 1 hour and the driver who took us from Orita to Alaagba didn’t collect money from us.
4. Outreach Activities
Upon arrival, we connected with around 70 enthusiastic children and engaged in various fun activities. We were gathered at the village market as it was a non-market day . We started by playing gospel songs using P.A system (the children and villagers were already dancing with joy , and children started registering), we played guitar. We sang, danced, played games (cup pickup with balloons, egg and spoon game , skipping, dancing competition, bible quiz, random bible questions etc ), shared God’s word (which the children listened to attentively), prayed for the children and their future, had prophetic declarations, prayed for the village, shared Bibles to children who won Bible Quiz and Bible Questions from the message, and distributed gift items.
5. Emotional Impact
The children’s joy was palpable, and it was heartwarming to see them so happy to have us in their midst. They kept showing us the content of their gifts out of excitement , (saying, ‘mo gba iwe ati indomie’ meaning ‘I got book and noodles’), they wanted to take plenty pictures and videos. Their parents were very happy and the activities meant a lot to them. They were very attentive alongside their children during all the activities. Some children came late and we had to comfort them against next year. They were all reluctant to bid us farewell, making the experience truly unforgettable.
6. Reflection and Gratitude
We wished them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in advance. Every one chorused “Make Them Merry ‘2025” and wished themselves. We left Alaagba to Idere with a motorcycle that cost us #5,000(a price that was bargained for us by the local pastor’s wife with her social status ). The bush sticks kept beating our bodies on the motorcycle while we were coming back.
It took me 2hours to get to Lafenwa from Idere. I feel grateful to have been part of this incredible outreach, and I’m glad I got to share in the children’s joy and enthusiasm.
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