Sharon James is the founder of We Run the World Girls, a non-governmental organisation which empowers young girls. From the tender age of 7, Sharon has been involved in philanthropy. She donated foodstuffs, clothing and a tricycle to the Center for Destitute Empowerment, Idimu Ejigbo. In 2010, she launched project “WASH-A-HAND” and donated 18 wash hand basins to all the classes from nursery one – primary six in her school. Recently, Sharon led her team to execute a project in which they succeeded in distributing 3000 hand-made facemasks to people in the community. In this interview with JOY NGWOLO, Sharon confirms that being young is not a barrier to making an impact on society.
What motivated you to start We Run the World Girls?
On November 15, 2010, I launched my NGO “We Run the World Girls” with my younger sister because we love the fact that we can be a voice to girls and being females, we couldn’t be happier. Apart from helping girls by encouraging them to read and go to school, we also encourage them to speak up when they need help and to support victims of rape. We also encourage girls to be comfortable in their skin, whether slim or fat, short or tall, fair or dark-skinned, they are all beautiful.
Is it strictly for and targeted at ladies as the name implies?
Yes, but we also involve boys too to educate them on equality. If we plan to make things better both genders are needed.
Tell us about your most recent project and your reason for embarking on it?
With the enforcement of the wearing of facemasks, we started a project to encourage people to wear nose masks, if they must be in public places. We decided to produce face masks and donate them. Our target is 5000 nose mask. We get sponsors that pay a fee of N150 for each mask and we donate on their behalf.
Who were the beneficiaries of this project?
With support from friends and well-wishers, we bought about 120 yards of ankara materials from which we had cut out, sew and distributed over 3000 masks. Some of the places that masks were distributed are Omitoro, off Elepe-Ijede in Ikorudu, Apapa, Surulere, Itire, Yaba, Ikotun. Mushin, Ejigbo, Shomolu Bariga, Surulere, Amuwo Odofin, Okota, Orile Igamu, Isolo and other states like Ibadan and Abuja.
What challenges did you face with executing the project?
There was a point while sewing the nose masks that all the machines and generator stopped working because we’ve been running on the generator because of lack of power and we were using electric machines. Also, our dispatch man had a problem with a transaction we had to pay twice, we aren’t making a profit from this project we didn’t plan on but we also are trying not to run at a loss.
Do you have any upcoming projects?
Yes, I had to post-pone one till after this Covid-19 pandemic.
What advice do you have for other youths like yourself?
We all have a role to play to make the world a better place, so let’s do it!
