Hmmmmm if you ask me to talk about this project, I have a million words to say. A million words that shows my fears, my anxiety, my reservations and my trust in God. A quick one on why I might have more than a million words. You see I was suddenly called upon hmm, no it was a message, that I have been picked to be in charge of the Media and entertainment group for the project. I was amazed and short of words at the selection, loads of thought flashed through me on why I was chosen amongst many. After all I am not Jesus. I wondered how I would achieve what was expected of me. Don’t get me wrong as a qualified event planner ( as if I learnt it in school), I have planned series of events without fear or worry. But my reservation for project 5000 came because I had just relocated to Lagos and never attended any project 5000 before. But I accepted the responsibility after all humanity understands all languages and culture.
Haven accepted the role, I dived hard into it and I realised these;
*There has never been a media and entertainment group for the project before me, hence I need to create a standard that will entice everyone and make them understand that media and entertainment group has come to stay.
*In my years as an event planner I have never organized an event for 5000 children, my maximum was 1000 and it was a ticketed event which meant the children where more exposed and didn’t require too much monitoring.
* Because of the nature of the children who were expected at the event, I couldn’t make use of some of the activities or equipment on my ‘A’ list ( imagine, bouncing castle was cut out. ), who does that and still has fun.
*The children were expected from different slums, which meant there would be some who won’t speak English or understand it and I must carry all of them along during the show. (Hmmmmm, may God help me)
With all these reservations I promised myself and my team that we would give it our best, ensure all the kids had fun. Moreover a good event planner is judged by the ability to give the best to a client based on what her client wants.Oh! I forgot to mention money… Finance was another challenge. Have been a BDSF volunteer for years now(not the Lagos zone though) and I know we work on the little we have since we don’t get grants from anyone. Same thing applies to project 5000 . we were to work on a budget. After series of meeting both online and off line we came up with a master plan. (Don’t ask me about, its our little secret. #winks) Finally 26, December 2018 came. The D.day. we swung into action using our master plan and it was fun all the way. Especially the joyous screams from the children when Santa arrived with loads of goodie bags. I can say the kids all had fun and their screams of joy will remain evergreen. Thanks to ‘Big cola’, ‘Nestle Milo’ The BDSF family, My crew, and the kids we all had fun. 26, December wasn’t just a boxing day for me, it was a date with humanity and a day with my BDSF family. After all BDSF is beyond one person, beyond an NGO, it is a body of people who are connected by their love for humanity and won’t be stopped by any obstacle. Project 5000, is over but its memory lingers on. Every time I think of the success of the event, I just wear a broad smile, because, I feel fulfilled knowing I was able to do something and I have added another feather to my business cap. Loads of love to Black Diamond Support Foundation (BDSF).