When the Road Is Risky, But the Future Is Worth It

Last week, our team at Lush Foundation for Sustainable Development visited Oganganmodu Grammar School, Iddo. tIt was he 8th school in our Pure Path Sensitisation programme.

On the way, the tyre of the vehicle I boarded burst while we were in motion. For a moment, fear took over. But as we gathered ourselves afterward, one thought kept returning: this work is not meant to be comfortable — it is meant to be meaningful. If even one young person gains the information that protects their future, then the journey is worth it.

So far, the Pure Path Sensitisation programme has reached 3,203 students. Each visit reminds us that what young people need most is not just instruction, but connection.

After the session at the school, a student walked up to me quietly. She had listened as we encouraged them not to accept gifts from boys in exchange for attention or validation. Then she asked a simple question that carried enormous weight:

“If we don’t collect gifts from them… what will you give us instead?”

Her question was not really about gifts.

It was about value.

It was about being seen.

It was about what fills the empty spaces in a young person’s life.

In that moment, I was reminded of a truth many families struggle with: not every parent can afford the newest clothes, phones, or shoes for their children. But one thing every child must never lack — and must never doubt — is love.

When a child is secure in love, they are less likely to trade their dignity for approval.

When a child knows their worth, they are less vulnerable to pressure.

When a child feels seen, they make stronger choices.

This is why our work goes beyond awareness. Through Pure Path Sensitisation, we speak to identity, self-worth, emotional wellbeing, and informed decision-making. Because protecting young people is not only about telling them what to avoid — it is about showing them what they deserve.

To everyone working to guide young people in their communities: your presence matters more than you know. Sometimes the greatest gift we can give a child is not something we hold in our hands, but something we carry in our hearts.

And sometimes, that gift changes a life.

As we continue to expand this programme to more schools, we invite partners, donors, and supporters to join us.

Your support helps us reach more students, improve travel safety for outreach teams, provide educational materials, and sustain this life-impacting initiative.