taxi drivers deed

Our #SDGshujaa deed was my first experience of doing a Simply Do Good deed with Tin Roof Foundation…and it was one I will remember for a long time to come.

The idea was simple. Taxi drivers at Junction Mall have had a rough few months with the closure of the supermarket and nightclub at the mall and the rise in Uber drivers in the city. We decided to lift their spirits by visiting them and handing out tea and mandazi. The plan was to give each driver two servings of mandazi so that they could eat one and pass one on to someone else, ideally a street child, guard or police officer. That way they would also get to experience the feeling of carrying out an act of kindness.

We started early in the morning, mixing the dough for the mandazi. Then it was all hands on deck as we got them rolled, cut, fried and bagged and prepared enough tea for 25 drivers. We’d already obtained permission from Knight Frank, the mall’s management company, to carry out the deed on their premises. On the day, we simply had to get a note from them to show the guards that we were allowed to be there and take photographs.

Our friends at Kubamba Krew helped us with some volunteers for the deed – Beth, George and Nesh (who took some amazing photos for us!). We were also joined by our volunteer, Wilberforce, who helps co-ordinate SDG chapters in other cities. We all met at the mall and after a word of prayer we headed up to the area where taxis park, accompanied by a representative from Knight Frank.

Many of the taxi drivers were wary at first and remained in their cars as the tea and mandazi were being given out. Two or three engaged us in conversation and when we explained what we were doing they were extremely welcoming. There was lots of chat as they sent us to the cars to serve tea and mandazi to more of the drivers and slowly but surely the group grew. The guards who came to check what we were doing were quickly told by the drivers who took the opportunity to pass on their extra mandazi to them.

The guys from our side then offered the drivers SDG stickers for their cars….not realising that there would be such a great uptake and that the drivers would want help to get them on their cars straightaway!!

One of the drivers took a moment to say a few words on camera. This is when we realised the impact of what we were doing. Please take a moment to watch the video and find out why!

Later we found a comment on Facebook by Jackson, the driver who helped us co-ordinate the deed:
“We thank you and the team for hot cup of tea and doughnut, Junction drivers were happy with that step you SDG ,keep up with the Good work”
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This was a really simple deed but the appreciation the drivers showed told us that it had made a difference to them that day. We hope they were inspired to think about doing a deed for someone else and that by reading this YOU will also be inspired to Simply Do Good. I know that I’m already looking forward to the next deed that our team does!!

Post by Kirsty Gichimu, Communications Officer

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