My name is Lawal, and I'm from Nigeria. I’ve recently found myself in a very difficult financial situation due to a combination of unfortunate events, including falling victim to a scam. However, what truly exacerbated my struggles was the lack of job opportunities in my area, making it extremely hard to generate income.

Why I Can’t Earn Enough Money Right Now: Nigeria’s job market is incredibly challenging. The unemployment rate in my region is around 33%, and many people struggle to find stable work, especially without formal education or connections. I have been trying to secure work, but opportunities are limited, and wages are extremely low. For example, even entry-level jobs often pay less than ₦30,000 ($20) per month minimum wage, which barely covers the cost of living. Currently, I am not studying or enrolled in any formal training because I haven’t had the funds to do so. I plan to change this once my basic needs are secured, but right now, I need to focus on survival and repaying my debts.

How Your Donations Will Be Used:

1. Living Expenses: This includes rent, utilities, and groceries to ensure I have a stable and safe living environment.

   • Rent: ₦100,000(70$) per year(annum) (I will share copies of receipts and lease agreements) once I'm able to secure a single room self contain.
   • Utilities: ₦20,000 (water, electricity).
   • Groceries: ₦20,000 for food staples like rice, beans, and vegetables i.e Tomatoes and pepper (I will share weekly expenses).

2. Debt Repayment: Funds will be used to repay debts incurred due to the scam. The total debt is ₦180,000 (I'll provide evidence of the debts).

3. Education and Skills Development: I plan to invest in skill-building training (shoe making) to be able to stand on my own making shoes and palms. This would enable me to become self-sufficient. Training fees and learning materials are estimated at ₦50,000.

Why Transparency Matters:

I want to ensure all donors feel confident in how their contributions are being used. I’ll provide:

• Receipts for all purchases made using the funds.
• Updates on living expenses and how donations are helping me to stabilize.
• Proof of debt repayment, so you can see where your money is going.

  Living Conditions in My Area:

  The average cost of living in my region is moderate, with rent for a modest apartment typically costing ₦10,000 per month, while basic utilities cost around ₦20,000 monthly. With inflation rising, the cost of groceries like rice and fish has increased, now costing ₦10,000 weekly.

  Next Steps: Your donation will help me get back on my feet by:

• Ensuring my basic needs are met.
• Helping me clear debts and avoid further financial troubles.
• Allowing me to invest in education that will enable me to secure a stable income.

Thank you for considering supporting my journey. I’ll ensure complete transparency, share regular updates, and use your contributions wisely to overcome these challenges.

Update: Thank you all for your donations, I bought a whole month worth of foodstuffs and also internet subscription. I got a scholarship to learn 3D animation and post production. I also got a job(1 year, I hope it gets extended).