On DFA Interview Series- Meet Omolara Ajetunmobi, the Founder and Chief Strategist Officer of You Matter to Us Foundation.
Tell us about yourself?
Mu name is Omolara Ajetunmobi, I’m a business-oriented entrepreneur and a humanitarian, whose work cut across inclusiveness for children living with disabilities and the less privileged in Nigeria. I am the Founder and Chief Strategist Officer of You Matter to Us Foundation, where I plan and coordinates impactful events for special kids. In my role as the Founder of You matter to Us Foundation, I raise funds for the less privileged, plans projects that align with the foundation’s mission and goals.
In 2017 my organization received an award from the Lagos State Ministry of Education in recognition for their donations and gifts to persons living with disabilities in all state special schools and inclusive units, also in March 2020, I was recognized by Donors for Africa in celebration of 50 African Women in Development during the International Women’s Day for the impactful work done.
I am also the CEO of Ideas and Smiles Concepts an event planning and project company that was founded in 2008, I have planned and coordinated over 40 weddings locally and internationally before diverting into managing and coordinating projects for individuals and companies. While running my company in the background, I was a contract staff with British Council as a venue staff for 7 years, I also served as the Director of Administration for four years with Platinum Vision Production to mention a few.
I am an Alumnus of China Europe international business School, Shanghai in the WELA Program 2019 cohort and Alibaba Business School Hangzhou. I hold a leadership certificate for the basic leadership training at Daystar Leadership Academy.
I am ardent about humanity; thus I have made other humanitarian contributions to children living in slums by contributing to their education and standard of living.
Tell us about your organization, impacts, and achievements since establishment?
You Matter To Us Foundation (YMTUF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to upholding the rights of children living with disabilities and to end their exclusion from society. The foundation evolved from the annual charity project hitherto undertaken by Ideas and Smiles Concepts up till 2019. The Foundation started because of neglect faced by the less privileged children and children with disabilities. In Nigeria most especially, children with disabilities are one of the most marginalized and excluded groups in society.
Our vision is to create a world where every child living with physical disabilities has equal opportunity to access the world.
Our mission is to improve the well-being of children living with disabilities through empowerment, edutainment, and advocacy for an inclusive society.
Since inception, the You Matter To Us Foundation has impacted over 25,000 children with disabilities, visited 64 schools for children with disabilities and orphanage homes consecutive for four years in over 10 Local Government Areas in Lagos Mainland.
Over the years, You Matter To Us Foundation has created exciting and long-lasting impactful programs and activities that ensure the vision of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) is a reality for less privileged children and children living with disabilities in Nigeria in partnership with different brands and Lagos State Government/Ministry of Education and they all centered around our belief in the ability of special children and their potential to rise above their challenges to become important and useful members in the society in future.
You Matter To Us Foundation remains focused on making an impact through community outreach, empowerment programs, and edutainment to advocate inclusive society for children with disabilities.
What advice can you give to young people who want to build a career in the development sector?
Take time to understand, learn, Collaborate and connect with the right stakeholders, then start with a proper structure in place.
How has been your participation in the inner circle program or other programs prepared you for opportunities ahead?
I’m a work in progress and the inner circle is helping me to have a solid foundation in my development journey.
Are there any ongoing projects your organization is working on at the moment? Please share it with us.
We are planning our annual Christmas party to reach out to 1000 children living with disability in Lagos and 100 children in Ibadan.
To know more about Omolara, and her amazing work in the development sector, you can follow her on social media platforms:
https://www.instagram.com/youmattertousfoundation/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/omolara-ajetunmobi-847725a/