Lagos Caledonian Society

I joined this organisation with the aim of meeting some new people and having access to a group of wealthy expats who would look after me should I require assistance – something you have to think about when living in Nigeria.  I paid my member ship fee, filled in my form and went to their St Andrew’s Ceilidh.  Yes you heard me – a ceilidh in Lagos.  It was great fun.  They hire a band called ‘Callanish’ who fly out all the way from Edinburgh to play into the wee hours for anyone who is willing to pay the £70 ticket price for a night out.

I thought this would be the extent of my involvement with the society.  After all you don’t leave Scotland and set up shop in Africa to then spend all your time with Scottish people. However, somehow I have become part of their charities commission.  It turns out that all the money raised from the Caledonian events goes to charity; they make no profit.

Over the last few months my friend Natalie and I have been responsible for finding, visiting and working with possible charities to whom the LCS can donate their money.  It has been an amazing journey so far.  We have found seven very worthy and needy organised charities who support various groups of people in and around Lagos.  Most of the charities we are drawn to are those who support children.

Last Wednesday we helped organise a ‘Sponsor’s Night’, where all of our charities were able to speak in front of the people who give money to LCS.  It was a success and all of the presentations were truly inspiring and touching.  Hopefully we were able to encourage more sponsorship and larger donations.  I’m feeling happy that I’ve been able to make a contribution to their work.  There are so many needy people out here in Lagos and without an NHS or welfare state people do die  So far we have been able to donate around £20’000 between the seven charities and there is much more to give.