Remember Bashir, who didn’t have an opportunity to go to school, but decided to make the best of his situation by starting a small business as a barrow boy to help his family?
When Claire Anyanwu shared Bashir’s story, it went viral!
<!– // (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3”; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’)); // ]]>You can find dignity in your job. His name is Bashir Suleiman, he’s a Mai-barrow and a proud one at that. I was…Posted by Chiemezie Claire Asunugwo-Anyanwu on Friday, November 27, 2015 Claire got so many friend requests that her Facebook account reached it’s capacity and she had to open the Facebook page “Shine Nigeria Project“, where she continued to give updates about Bashir.
Even while doing his mai barrow work, Bashir didn’t give up on his dream. His only wish was to get his tertiary education.
<!– // (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3”; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’)); // ]]>Change in the horizon for Bashir the barrow boy. Not in my wildest imaginations could I imagine the interest my post…Posted by Shine Nigeria Project on Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Through Claire’s post, the interest of Nigerians and people around the world were roused and they asked for ways to ask Bashir.
Update on Bashir (PART 3)Hello good people of this great nation. This is a part 3 update on Bashir Suleiman ( the uber…Posted by Shine Nigeria Project on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 Claire and her husband currently bear the expenses of taking care of the two boys until a way to apply any funds raised for the boys is worked out. Claire also plans to find more young boys who dropped out of school to join the barrow business due to poverty and set up a trust fund with able administrators to help as many as possible go back to school.
As there wouldn’t be anyone to send money back to their families when they begin school, Yakubu decided he didn’t want to go back to school anymore.
So Claire decided that the boys would still be paid the money they would have made if they were barrow pushing –while they go to school. This way they will be comfortable going back to school, while being aware that they will not also be lagging behind in their responsibilities.
She also made the journey to boys’ houses to know where the live and it has further strengthened her resolve to help them out of their situation.
Bashir Story (Part 4)My phone rings on Thursday 8am, it’s Bashir….Bashir: Good morning ma Me: Good morning…Posted by Shine Nigeria Project on Friday, December 4, 2015
Bashir sees Claire as his mother and has even memorized her phone number.
<!– // (function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3”; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’)); // ]]>Bashir Uber-barrow boy update. Part 5. Happy New Year good people of this great nation! May 2016 bring you all great…Posted by Shine Nigeria Project on Thursday, January 14, 2016 They speak with each other daily and Claire sees him at least twice a week. Bashir and Yakubu are still being rehabilitated.
Bashir and Claire are of different tribes. But that didn’t stop Claire from helping a fellow Nigerian. This goes to show that love can indeed take us far as a nation.
