12 Humans of Lagos Posts that will Restore Your Faith in Humanity

The world can be pretty grim at times, so it’s always wonderful to see people being good to other people just because they can.

From caring friends to diligent parents, all these touching stories from @TheHumansofLagos account will renew your faith in humanity:

1. The selfless teacher

"I nearly quit my job when I first started, then I thought to myself; If I get my married and have kids, is this how I'm going to abandon them if they misbehave or stress me? Teaching kids is not easy, they almost drove me crazy in the beginning but now I can't imagine myself doing something else, I've had opportunities but I just can't imagine not been around these kids. They've taught me so many things; how to be patient, forgiving easily, you might see two kids fight this minute and the next minute they are laughing and playing. They are also very sensitive and sometimes behave like adults, like when my relationship ended and I was going through a difficult time, I don't know how some of them noticed I wasn't my usual self then came to ask me why I'm not happy, played with my hair and did funny things to cheer me up"

A photo posted by Humans Of Lagos (@thehumansoflagos) on Jul 12, 2015 at 3:00pm PDT

2. The dutiful daughter

"I built a 4 bedroom flat for my mum through my corn proceeds. I lost my father when I was young and even tho he was not there to guide and advise me, I knew where I came from and I did not need anyone to sit me down before I did the right thing. I've been doing this business since my teenage years, I'm also a caterer and a fashion designer but once it's corn season, I leave it and face corn. It hasn't been easy tho, I have to back my baby while standing and I only go home to see my husband on weekends. Nobody that knows me will believe I sell corn here.

A photo posted by Humans Of Lagos (@thehumansoflagos) on Aug 6, 2015 at 1:33pm PDT

3. The understanding wife

"My market is not big but I still make small small money from it. At times, my husband will not have money for food and I will use my own money to cook and it makes him very happy."

A photo posted by Humans Of Lagos (@thehumansoflagos) on Jul 24, 2015 at 1:36pm PDT

4. The UKF volunteer

"My favorite super heroes are Swifty and Big boy, my son loves comic books and super heroes and he is the one that introduced me to comics. He is also the reason I'm here today, he is a beneficiary of UKFs scholarship. When he first told me about the UKF library and him been shortlisted for a scholarship exam, I was skeptical I thought it would end with us been asked to pay but they did not. He came tops in the exam and has been on full scholarship since then. One day I went to visit the library, he has said so much about the library and I wasn't disappointed when I got there. I was captivated with what I saw, I loved the whole idea and I immediately volunteered and I'm now part of the team helping in my own little way to give these kids a better tomorrow. I'm arranging comic books inside the goody bags that will be given to the school kids here for the UKF worldreader eBook launch and I'm sure they can't wait to open it"

A photo posted by Humans Of Lagos (@thehumansoflagos) on Jun 12, 2015 at 12:59pm PDT

5. The amazing friend

"My best friend is inside the pitch, he is the one sitting near the center circle. I am here crying, I could not control myself when our team missed the final kick and I can not even imagine what Kamal is going through. This was supposed to be the best moment of his life, all week he kept telling me how he can't wait to show his dad his winners medal, his dad thinks football is a waste of time. They won't allow us enter inside the pitch now but I will go and console him later."

A photo posted by Humans Of Lagos (@thehumansoflagos) on May 22, 2015 at 1:29pm PDT

6. The insightful coach

"In 2009 the school proprietor called all the Teachers together to find a solution to the increasing rate of truancy and hooliganism in the school. Some of the Teachers were suggesting the same old methods flogging, suspensions etc most of the students have gotten used to the punishments and would boastfully 'chest' the cane as if it's nothing. I played football back then in school and I knew the kind of positive impact it would bring. I suggested we introduce sports and make it part of the school curricula , try using sports to engage their minds and see how it would go. The proprietor agreed and asked me to be the coach. The first challenge was trying to bring them together in unity. They had factions and some wouldn't even want to be in the same place with the others but after our first official match, I saw them all walking home together and discussing the match, it was beautiful. The unity did not end there it spread through the whole school, their was this new found togetherness and peace. Things started changing and in 6 years Ikotun senior high school has turned from one of the most notorious schools to one of the best. It has changed a lot of lives and coaching the team has been the best thing I've ever done. Our female team just won the GTBank Lagos state Principals cup 1 of the many things we've achieved in the past 6 years."

A photo posted by Humans Of Lagos (@thehumansoflagos) on May 21, 2015 at 9:32am PDT

7. The thoughtful humanitarian

"I'm starting an NGO that will provide basic formal education for young girls in the north and also educate them and their parents on the dangers of early/childhood marriage. I did my NYSC in the north and witnessed these issues first hand. Girls are not allowed to go to school or get any form of formal education. Some of them want to go to school, they have dreams and aspirations just like the rest of us and someone is denying them that."

A photo posted by Humans Of Lagos (@thehumansoflagos) on May 8, 2015 at 1:04pm PDT

8. The resilient educator

"It's hard for me to pick which is the best thing one of the kids has said to me. When they are here, they are always happy and smiling and it could get emotional sometimes and they'd say all these sweet things but there is one moment I won't forget in a hurry, it wasn't even what was said. There was this kid, he wasn't doing well in his class and could barely read and write till he started coming to the library. He didn't have a good foundation so we went all the way back to the roots, we were patient with him and soon enough he picked up. Even his parents came to the school one day to know what changed and see the special library he always told them about. Then one day in the library he just came and hugged me and didn't want to let go. He didn't say anything he just held me." #HumansOfLagos

A photo posted by Humans Of Lagos (@thehumansoflagos) on Apr 9, 2015 at 10:21am PDT

9. The caring boss

" I have a company in Turkey with 8 staff. I tell them see, in 2-3 years I want you to have learnt enough from me to go out there and succeed on your own. Some people secretly hold back their employees from been successful cos they don't want to lose their services. A leader should strive to make sure those under him become better than he or she is. I want all my employees to excel, to reach greater heights, to be better than me" #HumansOfLagos

A photo posted by Humans Of Lagos (@thehumansoflagos) on Mar 31, 2015 at 9:01am PDT

10. The good samaritan

" 5 years ago a project I was working on led me to the creeks of Niger Delta. I saw first hand the suffering of the people especially the women and children who have been neglected, they can't farm on their land or fish on their rivers due to the oil spills which contaminate their environment. And nobody cares about them or how they survive. Since then I started an NGO to help those women, better their lives and send their children to school. So far we've been able to get help from the govt and some organisations abroad. I came to the social media week to campaign for their cause." #HumansOfLagos

A photo posted by Humans Of Lagos (@thehumansoflagos) on Feb 28, 2015 at 9:25am PST

11. The diligent mother

"I used to sell food(rice, swallow etc) till government demolished the place my shop was in. I had to find another thing to do and that's how I started my akara(bean cake) business. I made more money as a food vendor but it's harder than this one, then I had to start cooking food as early as 4am, I have more time for myself in this akara business. I still make enough money from this one to support my family since I lost my husband last year and became the sole provider. My last born is in his final year in University of Lagos and once he graduates and gets a job, I will quit this business and rest." #HumansOfLagos

A photo posted by Humans Of Lagos (@thehumansoflagos) on Feb 10, 2015 at 12:21pm PST

12. The helpful buddies

"My trouser tore in Church one day, I was so embarrassed but my friends came through, they formed a circle around me and walked me home, people were looking at us strange, it was like some bodyguards trying to shield the president from assasins just like in the movies. Can't forget that day." #humansoflagos

A photo posted by Humans Of Lagos (@thehumansoflagos) on Jan 10, 2015 at 10:06pm PST