For nine years, Home and Street Kids Welfare Initiative has remained committed to providing tuition-free education for children in street situations through The Oasis Academy in Ilorin, Kwara State. Over the years, we witnessed remarkable moments of growth, resilience, and hope among the children we served. Yet, deep within us, we knew that education alone was not enough to create the lasting transformation these children truly deserved.
As we reflected on the work, the sacrifices, and the results we were seeing, we returned to the drawing board with one important question: What does true transformation for a street child really look like?
The answer became clear.
For a child to experience complete transformation, the first step is to take them off the streets and into a safe, loving, and stable home environment. Only then can healing begin. Only then can a child truly blossom.
That realization gave birth to Agape Home.
On October 14, 2023, Agape Home officially opened its doors to six children: four boys and two girls. It was a humble beginning filled with faith, hope, and a vision for something greater. The transition, however, was not without challenges. After just one week at the home, one of the boys returned to the streets, explaining that he missed the freedom he once had there. His response reminded us of how deeply life on the streets shapes a child’s mindset and behavior.
Still, we pressed on with the remaining five children.
Since then, Agape Home has grown into a family of 33 children : 25 boys and 8 girls. What we have witnessed in less than three years has surpassed what we experienced in nearly a decade of working solely through the school system.
The transformation has been profound.
Children who once struggled with instability are now experiencing structure, care, emotional healing, education, and the opportunity to dream again. We are seeing confidence restored, character shaped, and lives redirected toward purpose and hope.
Agape Home is more than a shelter. It is a place of restoration, love, discipline, learning, and belonging. It is proof that when children are given safety, consistency, and genuine care, they can rise beyond the limitations of their past.
This is only the beginning of the story.