Who We Are

Based in Lagos, but with a national and global remit, Aanu is a Christian missional initiative of the Elim Pentecostal Church targeting the aged. We are registered with the Nigerian Corporate Affairs Commission as a Non-Governmental Organisation.

Various credible researchers have confirmed that social interaction and mental stimulation enhance the wellbeing of the aged whilst isolation diminishes their health. Our own research found that the Nigerian society has changed so much unfortunately that a large population of our aged now live in lack and a somewhat isolated and lonely existence devoid of adequate emotional and mental stimulation. Cosmopolitan cities like Lagos exempted.

Our main objective is thus to champion the often neglected aged in providing a platform through which they can enjoy healthy social interaction and lead a happy life. We aim to achieve this through the following approaches:

The Gathering Place located at 5a Afolabi Aina Street off Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos, is our Day Centre for the over 65s. Set up as a place of refuge for the aged, here the aged gather with a sense of belonging whilst enjoying social inclusion and mental stimulation.

The Gathering Place runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and offers various activities including easy-aerobics, craft and arts, computer sessions and health talks. There is the opportunity to play games, watch TV, chat, debate, enjoy refreshments and a balanced meal. We also offer free basic health checks including BP, glucose and weight checks. These would normally be at a cost elsewhere!

We also provide a more robust medical support with the help of volunteer professionals.A physiotherapist attends every Wednesday to conduct an exercise session as well as to provide therapy to the aged; all of these for free!

Additionally, we have two doctors that provide free consultation when required.

Finally, we support the aged that find themselves in situations where they need professional support but unable to afford such by providing pro-bono legal services and other forms of advocacy.

We are committed to a quarterly outreach taking the love of God to people who are in need of practical support of different sorts. We intend to hold an annual medical outreach every year in October. The first of these was held 2018 in Ikeja and Epe treating 159 senior citizens over 3 days. At both locations, we held health talks focusing on geriatric-related conditions: symptoms, causes, prevention and treatment and carried out basic health checks as well as distributed basic medications, reading glasses and other items.

In addition to loneliness, we find that many senior citizens here are trapped into extreme poverty. Our Sponsor an Aged gives those who wish to “adopt” a senior citizen the opportunity to do so. Every penny received on this scheme goes to the specific aged being sponsored. It is instructive to note that this scheme has enabled us to bring a few out of dire poverty.