Inside Funmike Empowerment Foundation’s Life-Changing Role In Scholar’s Journey To Poland
A non-governmental organization, the Funmike Empowerment Foundation is happy with the progress recorded with the transformation of Shittu-Are Atinuke, who grew up under the weight of financial limitations but found solace in the programme of the foundation.
Narrating the story, Founder and Executive Director of Funmike Empowerment Foundation, Oluwafunmike Esther Salami, said it was a great turn around that reflected the hard work of the foundation.
Salami said: “Shittu-Are Atinuke, known as Tinuke, grew up in a family that valued education but struggled under the weight of financial limitations. The youngest of her mother’s children and the fourth of her late father’s eight, she possessed an extraordinary intellect, a curiosity that seemed boundless, and a determination that belied her age. By the time she completed secondary school in 2018, she had everything a bright young Nigerian student needed to succeed grades, discipline, and dreams but she lacked one crucial element: the financial resources to continue her education. While her classmates applied for universities, bought books, and prepared for the life they imagined, Tinuke remained at home, waiting, her ambitions quietly bottled up by circumstance.
“To survive and contribute to her household, she took a low-paying job, earning between ten and twenty thousand naira a month, barely enough to cover transport, food, and basic living costs. Her income was sufficient to survive but never enough to save for school fees.
“Everything changed in 2022, the year the Funmike Empowerment Foundation discovered her story. The Foundation did not see a girl trapped by circumstance; it saw a scholar waiting to be awakened. During the first conversations, Tinuke shared the frustration and pain of years spent waiting while others advanced. The Foundation recognized her brilliance and, more importantly, her potential. What many might have seen as despair, the Foundation saw as an opportunity to intervene, empower, and transform a life.
“The Funmike Empowerment Foundation took full ownership of her journey. Rather than simply giving financial aid or temporary relief, the Foundation created a comprehensive plan to equip her with the tools, skills, and guidance necessary to reclaim her dreams. The first step was to enroll her in the UI/UX Design program at Learn to Earn Institute. At the time, Tinuke had almost no exposure to digital design. She knew how to operate a phone and a basic computer, but the world of user interfaces, wireframes, color theory, prototypes, and human-centered design was entirely new. Under the Foundation’s mentorship, she approached the program with commitment and courage.
“Over seven months, the Foundation guided her through every module, checked her progress, ensured she had the resources to practice, and encouraged her through moments of doubt. She went from a beginner who barely understood digital tools to a confident designer.
“With her skills and confidence restored, the Funmike Empowerment Foundation helped Tinuke navigate the next step: gaining admission to Lagos State University (LASU) to study Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management. It was not simply about submitting forms; the Foundation provided guidance on applications, mentorship on academic preparation, and emotional support throughout the process.
Her international journey began at LASU during the second semester of her 200-level year, when the university sought a departmental representative for a student exchange programme. Tinuke was nominated, and with the Foundation’s guidance, she prepared for every requirement—academic, administrative, and financial.
The Foundation stood beside her as she gathered documentation, navigated embassy requirements, and prepared mentally and emotionally for her first trip abroad. When she qualified and was selected to represent her department, it was a triumph not only for her but for the Foundation that had nurtured her potential.
“Today, Tinuke studies at WSB University in Dąbrowa Górnicza, Poland, representing LASU , the Funmike Empowerment Foundation and Nigeria with pride. Her course, Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management, places her in a position to gain a global perspective and develop professional skills that will serve her for life. Yet the glory of this achievement rests largely with the Funmike Empowerment Foundation,“ Funmike founder, Salami, added.
