D'IYANU Gives Back

As a junior in college, I recall sitting in my dorm room one day and feeling a sense of dread. I was contemplating my future and thinking about my life ahead. I felt a pang of panic at the thought of living a life of mediocrity. That may seem a bit dramatic to some, however, I was fearful of living a cookie cutter life with no impact.

As I was crying and praying, I suddenly felt God impart to me my life’s mission. The mission was to help build schools and clinics and provide opportunities to people in underdeveloped communities in Nigeria and other African countries.

Seven years later from that dorm room scene, D’IYANU was launched in January 2014. As is common with any new business, the first year was a struggle getting the company off the ground and D’IYANU was barely profitable. Nevertheless, at the beginning of 2015, I committed to donating to causes I believed in whether the business was profitable or not.

Charity:Water and Water Aid

Anyone who knows me knows of my love for water. Therefore, it’s heartbreaking knowing that there are still millions of people without access to clean drinking water. Furthermore, it often falls on young girls to walk for miles to fetch dirty water for their household, putting them in danger and sometimes preventing them from attending school.

After doing some research, I found two fantastic organizations: Charity:Water and Water Aid that provide access to clean water to remote villages. Both charities are transparent charities doing amazing work to ensure underdeveloped areas in Africa and other 3^rd world countries can enjoy a basic necessity such as water.

EduCare Benin

In addition to those two organizations, D’IYANU donates to EduCare Benin, a wonderful organization co-founded by Farouk Bagoudou, a friend of mine. His organization awards scholarships in Benin to orphans and children whose parents cannot afford their school fees. EduCare Benin also provides school supplies such as backpacks, books, and other classroom utensils. 

I am truly grateful for the opportunity to be able to carry out part of my life’s mission by giving to fantastic organizations. As a Nigerian who was born in Nigeria and grew up in the U.S, I recognize that I’m blessed to live in the U.S and run my own business. As a result, I feel a deep sense of responsibility to give back wherever possible.

It’s been eleven years since that dorm room scene and I’m elated to know that D’IYANU is helping fulfill that mission of giving. At D’IYANU, our mission is to be a force for good and we plan to continue donating to great organizations and eventually expand to funding the projects God imparted to me.

-Addie Olutola, CEO of D'IYANU. D'IYANU has donated over $15,000 to the 3 organizations below along with other charities. 

Learn More About the Charities We Support 

Charity Water- https://www.charitywater.org

- "The water crisis is huge, but it is solvable. We work with local experts and community members to find the best sustainable solution in each place where we work, whether it’s a well, a piped system, a BioSand Filter, or a system for harvesting rainwater. And with every water point we fund, our partners coordinate sanitation and hygiene training and establish a local Water Committee to help keep water flowing for years to come."

Water Aid- https://www.wateraid.org/us/

- "WaterAid transforms lives by improving access to clean water, hygiene and sanitation in the world's poorest communities. We work with local partners and influence decision-makers to maximize our impact."

EduCare Benin- https://www.educarebenin.org/

- "EduCare Benin is a relief and development NPO specializing in the field of education. Investing in education is the most effective way to reduce poverty. We are working for the respect of the right to education for all. Sponsorship and patronage are the foundation of  EduCare Benin."