RRF: Honouring Reuel’s Memory by Uplifting Others
RRF Volunteers © RRF
Remembering Reuel Foundation 2024 End of Year Statement
By Sera Gillen, Founder of RRF
As we close the year 2024, we pause to honour the life and legacy of our beloved Reuel. Born on the 31st of December 2022, Reuel brought boundless love and joy into our lives during his time with us. I am always in awe at how much joy and love my heart swelled up to give. Although his journey was brief, his impact has been immeasurable. Today, we send our wishes heavenward for what would have been his second birthday, carrying forward his memory in everything we do. His light continues to guide us, inspiring hope and action for families navigating the challenges of disabilities.
This year, the Remembering Reuel Foundation has grown in reach and impact, fulfilling our mission to support persons living with disabilities and their families. In December 2023, exactly a year ago, we launched a campaign for Spinal Muscular Atrophy and slowly launched the foundation. Since then, we have raised awareness on social media platforms, highlighting the realities of living with various conditions and sharing resources to empower individuals and their caregivers.
July saw us addressing the intersection of disability with education. We had our first disability Rolls and Walk, awareness walk along Kairaba Avenue. This attracted various news outlets and brought together over 300 attendees, including National Assembly Members, Deputy Mayor of KMC, Various Organisations of Persons with Disabilities, and students from mainstream and special needs schools. Through these campaigns, we engaged in honest, heartfelt dialogues, offering information and encouragement to those who often feel unseen. The Rolls and Walk wouldn't have been possible without the support of my dad, Mr. Amadou Gillen, and his wife, Mrs. Marie Gillen, who generously gave financially for the expenses of that day.
We also strengthened our partnerships and advocacy efforts, collaborating with organisations such as Africell, SOS, Mbolo, Insist Global, Ace, Innovarx, YMCA, Taybullpay, Intimate Oasis, IPromise, Mbife, Dnima, HUGAAA, and many others as sponsors or collaborators to host impactful events like the Rolls & Walk for awareness. Focusing on community education and empowerment, we took meaningful steps towards a more inclusive society, where every voice is valued and heard.
Additionally, our Career Speed Networking events with Partnership in Employment (PIE) opened doors of opportunity for young people, ensuring they feel supported and inspired to chase their dreams. In November, we deepened our commitment to community support through the Bake Sale Fundraising initiative. This initiative provided us with the necessary funds and allowed us, more importantly, to build new partnerships, including but not limited to partners such as SBK, Mirelle's Beauty, Glo’s Pastries, Yichies, Adu's Homemade, E'stas D&D, Piece of Cake, Locally Extra by Viv, King Bakers, MoGJ, Dinma, and many others. Through our partnerships with these entrepreneurs, demonstrating the potential of young women to shape their futures, we were able to raise almost D50,000 for the work of inclusion.
As we look to the year ahead, we are thrilled to announce the launch of a transformative program. On January 8th, we began with the Soma Community Outreach, an initiative to deliver much-needed resources and advocacy tools to families in rural areas. This also allows us to design people-centric programs for 2025 and forward. This will be closely followed by the launch of our Friendship Buddy Program, “Beyond Borders,” in February 2025. This program aims to build bridges of connection and understanding, pairing children with disabilities across regions with those without to foster global friendships and mutual learning. These initiatives mark another step forward in our journey to create a world where every child, regardless of their abilities, is celebrated and supported. This was our dream for Reuel, and now it is for every child we meet.
We end this year with hearts full of gratitude for our supporters, partners, and volunteers. Together, we have made strides in honouring Reuel’s memory by uplifting others. As we enter 2025, let us remain steadfast in our commitment to inclusivity, advocacy, and love. Here’s to a year of continued growth and impact, for our dearest Reuel and for every child and family whose lives we touch.
