ABUJA, NIGERIA – “When the sun rises over our compound, I wake to the sound of my family’s laughter, not hospital sounds or mama crying.” These are the words of Aisha*, a 13-year-old girl living with sickle cell in a rural community near Abuja. Her joy is not a miracle it is the result of the dedicated grassroots work of the Fit to Achieve Sickle Cell Foundation (FTA).

In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), alongside wealth and modernity, lie underserved communities where healthcare is scarce, stigma is common, and poverty worsens the daily battles of families dealing with sickle cell disease. For many, every day is a struggle not just with the condition, but with hunger, lack of schooling, and little or no access to medication.

FTA is changing that,Working in more than ten rural villages in Abuja and now expanding into Enugu and Kwara states FTA helps children and families not just survive, but thrive. Its approach begins by listening to those affected and building programs shaped by the lived experiences of sickle cell “warriors” and their caregivers.

Nine Ways FTA is Transforming Lives

Education and Wellbeing Outreach:

Health education sessions teach hydration, nutrition, malaria prevention, and crisis management. Families leave with wellness kits containing malaria nets, folic acid, hygiene products, and pain relief.

‘Space for Sickle’ Initiative:
Visitors to Abuja pack an extra bag with school supplies, medicine, clothes, or food. These are distributed during home visits, turning small donations into life-changing support.

Art Therapy for Mental Health:
FTA piloted art therapy workshops in May 2025, giving children a safe space to paint, write, and process their experiences healing beyond medicine.

Scholarships to Keep Children in School:
Sponsorship programs cover school fees, supplies, and mentoring to ensure education continues despite illness.

Routine Medication Access:
Regular supplies of folic acid, antibiotics, and anti-malarials prevent emergencies and ensure treatment plans are followed.

Malaria Prevention:
Distribution of mosquito nets, repellents, and educational materials protects entire households and reduces complications.

Pain Management Training:
Families are trained to manage crises at home with heat packs, rehydration aids, and clear escalation protocols.

Home Visits:
Care is brought to children who cannot reach clinics, ensuring ongoing access to medicine, education, and one-on-one guidance.

Mentoring Warrior Mums:
Group and one-on-one sessions teach mothers to advocate for their children and lead peer support groups.

Why It Works

FTA’s approach is co-designed with families, delivered directly where they live, and backed by practical tools. “We didn’t ask for miracles,” one community elder shared. “We just needed someone to listen. FTA did that and now our children are writing the next chapter.”

Call to Action – How to Help

FTA’s work depends on partnerships with donors, volunteers, and advocates. You can:

Fund creative therapy and wellness events

Sponsor education for a warrior child

Donate medication or essential supplies

Join “Space for Sickle” pack a little extra when you travel

Help expand FTA programs to more rural communities

Together, we can transform lives not just with charity, but with dignity, opportunity, and hope. Every kit, every lesson, and every act of kindness tells a child: “You are not your pain you are full of potential.”