A Christmas Feeding 200 Families with Disabilities

Thanks to your support, ATLAS Initiative delivered the 2025 Christmas With A Smile cycle from 19 to 27 December across two Lagos correctional centres: the Special Correctional Centre for Boys, Oregun, and the Lagos State Children's Correctional Centre for Girls. Care packages were distributed on 27 December as planned, and 30 volunteers supported the programme through the delivery period.

Last year's approach placed strong emphasis on calm, dignified engagement. The team prioritised relationship-building before the main distribution day, resulting in a more respectful and organised experience for the children reached by the project. All volunteers received safeguarding guidance covering confidentiality, photography consent, and the protection of resident identities. No safeguarding incidents were reported.

Local partners strengthened the work. Bakersfield Bakery contributed baked goods for the care packages; Abiboy Foundation supported volunteer mobilisation; AOK Children Initiative contributed safeguarding input and recreational activities; and the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development facilitated access to both centres. These partnerships helped the team deliver smoothly during a concentrated festive period.

Since December, ATLAS has continued follow-up visits to both centres, using the time to support residents with learning activities and keep relationships with facility authorities active. This shift beyond one-off holiday outreach is shaping how we plan the 2026 cycle. A coordination team is now in place, led by Toluwalase Olusoga; community and partner mapping has started, and fundraising preparation is beginning much earlier in the year, so the next cycle can reach further.

Thank you for helping bring care, dignity, and continuity to children in these centres.

• CWS_April_2026_Report.pdf (PDF)
  

CWS 2025 GlobalGiving Project Report

Bringing Christmas Joy to Young People in Correctional Care

This festive season, Christmas with A Smile is preparing to reach some of Lagos's most overlooked young people: children and adolescents in correctional facilities who rarely receive visitors or gifts during the holidays. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are on track to deliver age-appropriate care packages to residents of the Special Correctional Centre for Boys in Oregun and the Lagos State Children Correctional Centre for Girls on 27th December 2025.

What We've Achieved So Far

Your support has helped us build the foundation for a meaningful December delivery. We have raised USD 450 through local fundraising, mobilised 30 trained volunteers, and secured partnerships with Bakersfield Bakery, Abiboy Foundation, AOK Children Initiative, and the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development. We have also obtained health testing kits to ensure safe engagement at both facilities. Engagements will run from 19th to 27th December, culminating in our main distribution event.

Why This Matters

For many young people in correctional settings, the festive period is a painful reminder of separation from family and community. One facility staff member shared that residents often feel forgotten during Christmas while the outside world celebrates. Our care packages, which include staple foods, hygiene items, school supplies, and small treats, send a powerful message: you are seen, you are valued, and you matter.

Looking Ahead

With your continued support, we aim to expand our reach in future years whilst maintaining the dignity and quality that define CWS distributions. Thank you for making it possible to bring a smile to young people who need it most this Christmas.

Our next update will follow the December distributions with photos and stories from the events.

• Christmas_with_a_Smile_Update_2025.pdf (PDF)