Uniting Communities with Play and Purpose: The Gamesville Foundation’s Story

Our Co-founders, Chidinma Obi Sedenu (bottom center) and Christabel Bomi-Dore (3rd row, 3rd from the right), our members and volunteers Damilola Adepoju Okunoren (far right), Bambo Oguntayo (far left), Rielu and Borie Ogwilaya (2nd row, 2nd and 3rd from the right) the Project Director, Street Child Care and Welfare Initiative, Comfort Alli Babalola (back center), with the children from the SCCWI home.

Introduction

In 2017, our founders embarked on a mission to create The Gamesville Foundation, an organization dedicated to offering recreation and vital aid to those impacted by hardship, old age, loneliness, and disability. Rooted in Lagos, Nigeria, our vision was simple but powerful: to foster a sense of belonging through joyful play while providing material and financial support to vulnerable communities. We saw firsthand the struggles faced by underprivileged children, older people, and individuals with disabilities, many of whom lacked opportunities for support and meaningful connection.

Since then, The Gamesville Foundation has become a pillar of hope for underserved communities in Lagos and across Nigeria through partnerships and programs that empower individuals and build stronger, more connected communities.

Our Mission: Recreation and Aid in Action

At the heart of The Gamesville Foundation are two central pillars: Aid and Recreation.

Aid: We have taken tangible steps to provide material and financial support to individuals facing adversity. From scholarships to providing school supplies, we stand by vulnerable children and their families, offering them the support they need to rebuild their lives.

Recreation: Everyone deserves spaces for play, laughter, and companionship. Our inclusive games and tournaments foster community, boost self-esteem, and offer critical life lessons like teamwork, strategy, and sportsmanship. By creating joyful spaces, we help people bond and discover joy even in challenging times.

Our Journey of Impact

Over the years, The Gamesville Foundation has made significant strides in impactful aid. Since 2019, we have disbursed over N5 Million to dress children for school, providing school bags, uniforms, socks, sandals, and essential supplies to ensure they can return to school with dignity. This program is an initiative of our long-standing charity partner, JAKIN NGO, and is part of our commitment to empowering underprivileged children through education. The number of children dressed reached 1,000 per year in 2022 and 2023.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when schools closed, and remote learning became the only option, we stepped up to provide 750 children with rechargeable radios, school supplies, and nutritional support, ensuring their education continued despite the challenges. We were one of the few organizations to support JAKIN NGO’s efforts to bridge the gap for vulnerable families during that difficult time.

Our scholarship program, one of our proudest achievements, has, since 2019, provided over N24.6 Million in scholarships to orphans and underprivileged children across Lagos and beyond. A single corporate sponsor has funded the initiative for the last 3 years, demonstrating the longevity and trust we build with our sponsors. Through partnerships with reputable non-profits who work directly with the children, like Street Child Care and Welfare Initiative, Echoes of Mercy and Hope Foundation, JAKIN NGO, Diocesan Special Education Center, and Society for the Empowerment of Young Persons, we have funded the education of 39 boys and girls rescued from homelessness, neglect, and abuse, indigent children, and children living with disabilities, helping them rebuild their lives and thrive.

L-R; Njide Mariyln Okolo, Trustee, The Gamesville Foundation; Three (3) student scholarship recipients, Echoes of Mercy and Hope Foundation; Kolufunse Ajala, Trustee, The Gamesville Foundation; and Sijuade Oguntayo, Trustee, The Gamesville Foundation, during The Presentation Ceremony of Scholarships to eighteen underprivileged children in Lagos

Recreation: A Space for Play, Growth, and Connection

In 2018, we hosted our first games tournament for over 500 underprivileged children across three charities. More than just a fun day, this event built lasting friendships, boosted self-esteem, and fostered teamwork. Our participants walked away with prizes and a renewed sense of belonging and purpose. Since then, we have expanded our recreational initiatives through our Lagos Games Group, which now boasts over 5,500 members across its platforms. We engage communities in joyful, communal play that fosters values like entrepreneurship, mathematics, and healthy competition.

Our tournament event, the Battle for Ayo Crown, showcases the power of traditional games in bringing people together. This tournament, focused on the African game of Ayo (Yoruba) / Nchorokoto (Igbo) / Oware (Twi) / Awele (Ivory Coast), celebrates culture, strategy, and connection as players bond over shared experiences and sharpen their intellectual skills.

Bambo Oguntayo (far left) and Bisola Daramola (center), members and volunteers at the Games for a Cause initiative, with children playing the Ayo Game.

Recognizing Our Partners and Sponsors

None of this would be possible without our trusted partners and sponsors.

A single corporate sponsor, who has chosen to remain anonymous, has been instrumental in funding over N25 Million in aid and scholarships, tripling its impact in 3 years despite economic challenges. We also had various corporate and individual sponsors for our 2019 fundraising gala who provided monetary support, donated services, and/or goods to support the fundraising efforts. We will never forget their generosity.

We are incredibly grateful to our charity partners: Street Child Care and Welfare Initiative, Echoes of Mercy and Hope Foundation, JAKIN NGO, Diocesan Special Education Center, and Society for the Empowerment of Young Persons, for their tireless work uplifting the lives of the children we support. We are proud of the recognition we have received for our work, including but not limited to the Outstanding Partnership Award from JAKIN NGO in 2019 and the African Gold Merit Award in 2023. These honors reflect the lives we have touched and the difference we continue to make.

Looking Ahead: Expanding Our Impact

The Gamesville Foundation is committed to expanding our recreation and aid efforts as we look to the future. We aim to reach even more children, older people, and individuals with disabilities, offering them the support they need to thrive. With plans to increase our educational support, host more inclusive events, and deepen our partnerships, we are excited about the opportunities ahead.

Join Us in Making a Difference

We invite you to join us in our mission. Whether through volunteering, spreading the word, or partnering with us, your involvement helps us bring joy, relief, and opportunity to those who need it most. Stay connected with us on our website, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Medium to learn more and get involved. Together, we can continue to build a future where every individual, no matter their circumstance, has the chance to thrive.

Photo Credit

Photo courtesy of The Gamesville Foundation.