A2S Development Manager Laura Knight caught up with former A2S Scholar and Intern Aisosa Aghatise who felt called to start his own foundation in Northern Nigeria. Aisosa shares below what led to this decision along with the ways in which he applied the lessons learned from his time at A2S to his new foundation.
Laura: At A2S, we talk a lot about building agency, restoring the gift of choice, and raising godly stewards. Are there any key moments that stand out on your journey that speak to any of these pillars of our work?
Aisosa: My journey since 2018, reflects Agency, The Gift of Choice, and Godly Stewardship in several ways: I was posted by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to Kaduna—a state many young people prefer to avoid. Despite never having been there before, or having friends there, I chose to accept the assignment and complete my one-year service. I could have applied for a redeployment to a state closer to Benin City, but I felt a strong conviction to go.
After completing my service in November 2019, I felt there was something God was leading me to do in northern Nigeria. At first, I wasn’t sure what it was, but over time, it became clear: the underserved people and communities in Kaduna needed love, hope, and empowerment.
I faced a difficult choice and a life changing decision —return to Benin City, where my family, friends, and A2S awaited, or stay in Kaduna to serve the children and communities in need. Going back was the easier path, offering familiarity and support, while staying meant stepping into the unknown.
The decision was a deep struggle. How could I help the people ? Where would the resources come from? Who did I know in Kaduna? Who would support me? How would I take care of myself? What about my safety? How would my family and friends react?
In the end, I chose to stay. It was the biggest decision of my life and the most fulfilling. Since 2020, my team—composed of passionate young people—and I have dedicated ourselves to serving underserved children and their communities with love, integrity, and honor.
Reflecting on my life since 2018, the pillars of A2S: Building Agency, Restoring the Gift of Choice and raising Godly stewards have been evident in my journey.
Laura: What inspired you to start You Can Foundation? Can you tell us a little about your mission and how it has grown since you all started?
Aisosa: My personal experiences growing up in Benin City and the challenges I witnessed amongst the people in Kaduna communities inspired the founding of You Can Foundation.
Raised by my mother, I experienced firsthand the struggles of being out of school for years. I remember the sacrifices she made, including securing a loan from a microfinance bank just so I could return to school. After high school, I took on cleaning jobs to support myself and my family—life was tough.
Everything changed when A2S gave me the opportunity to further my education at Ambrose Alli University, where I studied history and international studies. That support, along with an internship opportunity at A2S, gave me valuable experience and a new perspective on life.
During my one year in Kaduna, I saw the harsh realities that children, young girls, and youth face—poverty, lack of access to education and mentorship, limited opportunities to grow, and even basic community challenges like the scarcity of clean water.
Yet, despite these challenges, I saw immense potential in the people—potential that, when nurtured, could transform their lives and uplift their communities.
I was driven to provide the people in northern Nigeria with the same love, support, and opportunities to learn and grow that I was fortunate to receive from my mother and A2S.
At You Can Foundation, we are committed to empowering underserved children, young women, youth and their communities, through sustainable and impactful programs.
Education is at the core of our mission. We work to remove barriers such as school fees, lack of food, uniforms, and essential supplies, in ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn. Additionally, our After-School Learning Centers provide a supportive environment where children and youth can grow academically and personally.
Community engagement is central to our work. Through initiatives like the Annual Girls’ Empowerment Program and quarterly community women’s engagement sessions, we create spaces for mentorship, leadership development, and meaningful change.
We launched on July 11, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, by distributing food items to vulnerable children. Step by step, we expanded our impact. We introduced our scholarship program, starting with just three children and increasing the number each year. We also expanded our monthly food distribution, reaching more families in need. Our After-School Learning Program equips community girls with computer skills, and thanks to the generosity of a local church, we received a building to expand our learning activities. Additionally, we continue to empower young women through our Annual Girls’ Empowerment Program and engage women in the community through regular initiatives.
Over the years, we have also strengthened partnerships with schools, other nonprofits, and community members, fostering deeper collaboration and a stronger sense of unity.
Laura: What is your biggest challenge and triumph from your work so far?
Aisosa: Our biggest challenge at You Can Foundation is the lack of sufficient and sustainable funding to support our work. Consistent financial resources are essential for lasting impact and growth, and things can slow down a bit without sufficient funding.
We are so full of gratitude to all our individual donors and A2S for all the love and support; they are the reason we’ve come this far.
Our greatest triumph lies in the journey from starting You Can Foundation, to witnessing the unique success story of each child/youth that we serve. Seeing those who once had no access to education now thriving in school is something we continually thank God for.
Laura: What is something you learned during your time as an A2S scholar or intern that you carry with you today?
Aisosa: I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to intern at A2S, where the children always come first—they are the heart of the organization. The dedication of the staff is inspiring, as they pour their efforts into ensuring every child thrives. At You Can Foundation, we are committed to following this same example, keeping children at the center of everything we do.
At A2S, I learned that challenges are actually opportunities for growth. This mindset shapes how we approach life and work. I often share this perspective with the You Can team to help navigate both their personal struggles and our work at the organization.
