The slum child… our fears, their excitement (photos, video)

The things which posed as fears to us never mattered to the kids. Some of them were naked, some had briefs, some fully-dressed, others were without shoes, but one thing was common to them all; they were happy and wanted to catch fun on water.

NAIJ.com’s editor, Damilare Okunola, takes a selfie with some of the children on water. Photo: Michael Obasa.

Their parents were also excited to see them in an ecstatic mood. The water was very dirty, but this did not stop the students from being totally ‘unaware’ of their environment.

For two straight hours, the non-stop music with the energetic spirit of the children lit up the sleepy community. From their school to the expressway (under the 3rd Mainland Bridge), the boats cruised with the children in a carnival-like parade.

Even those who were not students of the school were excited about the rally. Photo: Michael Obasa.

Their teachers also took part in the celebration and their students’ inability to speak fluent English did not stop them from describing the feeling to our correspondent.

“I feel very happy today. We are all happy because it is our end of the year party and we observe it only once in a year,” one of the young chaps told NAIJ.com in tattered English.

Indeed, it was the end of the year party at Whanyinna Nursery and Primary school at Makoko waterfront in Yaba area of Lagos and no stone was left unturned for the two-day event.

A tomato seller was passing by during the regatta. Photo: Michael Obasa.

The rally on Friday, July 29, was just a tip of the iceberg compared to the main event that took place the next day, and since the children were already receiving ‘free education’ courtesy of their proprietor, Noah Shemede, the parade was done throughout the community, to the houses of the parents, patrons and community leaders where they were rewarded with cash gifts and other items.

Like the ‘regular’ communities on land, there were periodic traffic congestions on water because of the consistent movement everywhere, but this even added glee to the budding excitement all over the place.

The slum child knows no fears… this girl tried to get to her house through using a shortcut. Photo: Michael Obasa.

If the plan of the Lagos state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode’s plan to totally wipe out street trading and hawking must be fully implemented, KAI, Taskforce officers, among enforcement agencies, need to visit this community because there was massive ‘street’ trading.

From ice-cream to water, buns, cooked food, and many other items, the ‘traffic’ on water had everything being sold on land, as regular hawkers kept selling on water.

This young chap had no boat to get on water, but he managed to get himself into the mood. Photo: Michael Obasa

One of the most exciting moments yet for the students was when the disc jokey (DJ) played their traditional song. This only evoked memories of their heritage and also brought out the best in them.

The rhythmic movement and dexterity on display by the children also showed how much training their parents had given them about their heritage. With glowing smiles on their faces, they showed their expertise on the boats and never got tired of dancing unless, of course, when the song seemed mundane to them.

This young girl carried her sibling behind her and paddled her canoe, without any worries at all. Photo: Michael Obasa.

They returned to their school premises, all exhausted from the long trip around the community, but this was only the beginning of more excitements to come.

All of these sum up the way of life of an average child in the slum in Lagos, but regardless of whatever anyone said about them, they were never going to give up their joy for anything in the world.

We were almost at the middle of the Ocean, but the youngsters looked unperturbed by anything. Photo: Michael Obasa.

For Noah, the school’s proprietor who provides free education to the children, nothing gives him more fulfillment than seeing his students enjoy themselves.

The young man had devoted his life to ensuring that anyone interested in schooling in the slum did so without too much efforts, an act which has endeared him to many residents, parents and lovers of the slum in Yaba area of Lagos state.

“The only thing that gives me joy with these children is when they are happy,” Noah said.

“When they are happy, I am happy,” he added.