The Most Interesting Thing I have Ever Done As A Local Guide

[AnitaAO]

My name is Anita

I am a Nigerian local guide level 9

recently, I have been traveling alot around Nigeria and other African countries.

Primarily i live in Lagos.

AnitaAO,

As a local guide living in a populated area like Lagos with over 20 million people, getting ideas to create or re-create shouldn’t be a challenge right?

But that’s another challenging aspect of creativity because an idea you are about creating is already live if you do your research well, owing to the number of people within. This also resonate with the local guides program as well as we have more local guides in Lagos than any other states in Nigeria. So because I am aware of this, I just do not struggle with anything but allow my spirit, and instincts to guide and anytime I get a direction I go straight with it without looking back.

Most interesting thing I have done as a local guide?

- Connecting Orphanages and Hospices to Supports

The process wasn’t as memorable as the journey itself but I am glad I achieved my goal of adding, editing, reviewing and adding photos of orphanages and hospices in Lagos including those in the interim villages and localities where tricycles and buses do not enter. I practically used canoe and went through damps and slummy areas in search of them

I wasn’t perturbed because these people really needed to be reached and if Google has created a platform as this, the local guides program and the privilege to create a list on the map, I felt my dream of helping them achieve their dreams could be short-lived if I don’t do it.

I am glad I was able to create a list of all Orphanages and hospices in Lagos.

Here’s the a Link to the list on the map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/oKb8oyB12kYTsLYy9

So, next time you visit Lagos, please visit any of these Orphanages,

How the LGs program has impacted my life.

I have been a local guide for 3+ years now and these years I have come across interesting individuals in the course of organising and attending meetups in different states in Nigeria and across Africa. The local guide program is also helping me in fulfilling my dreams of helping people navigate around new places when they visit. Before I joined the local guides program I honestly cannot describe nor know alot of places.

Finally, the LGs program has made it easier for me to connect the less privileged (small businesses and orphanages) to support and assistance haven operated a small business in years and know how hard it can be to advertise a product with a struggling capital. I see this program as a brilliant platform especially with the ability to create a list.

Thank you.

[Raphael-Mahumane]

Hi @AnitaAO thank you sharing this lists with us and thank you for the amazing work you have done, I my self I have been looking to do the same task but could not start. This is really helpful; and I am sure the local people appreciate this even though they never see you in person. Can you please share more information on how you started, like communicating with those who own these premises or how you locate them. Looking to hear from you. Cheers!

[AnitaAO]

Thank you @Raphael-Mahumane for your kind words.

Literally, it’s not an easy thing to do. It is actually easier written thank talking about the time and the long process involved.

It took me 3 month to even get the right directives from the ministry youth and social development Lagos.

After I got the list of orphanages and their address in Lagos, some of the hospices didn’t have phone numbers attached with the list so I had to visit in person first to book appointment and let them know the importance of the idea and many of them needed to get approval from the founder, some made me sign an undertaking that I will not snap the people in the Orphanages and share on social media. It was a long walk honestly. Imagine visiting a remote place where vehicles dont enter more than twice.

Well, I am happy I achieved my aim and purpose.

My guess it maybe a different challenges in your country…

If you are considering doing the same, I am wishing you the best of luck.

Cheers!

[Austinelewex]

Beautiful writeup @AnitaAO .

Thanks for sharing it here with us on connect.

[Raphael-Mahumane]

Hi @AnitaAO thank you for getting back, this is my weakness I must say, I do not enjoy being turned down or being on a long waiting period knowing that I am not expecting anything in return. I had the same situations before as a local guide and most of these locations I left them and never came back. I am considering doing this as it is helpful and I see a need for it. I will try by all means to find a way to help them just like what you did. I would like to keep in touch with you if you do not mind, so that I can get help when I need to since you know how is done. Cheers!