The Shola Adefolalu Gaska Foundation
Making the world a happier place, one smile at a time
The Shola Adefolalu Gaska Foundation
aka The Sholly Smile Factory
Who We Are
The Shola Adefolalu Gaska Foundation (also known as The Sholly Smile Factory) is a nonprofit organisation set up to bring smiles to the faces of people in need (especially women and children) by providing financial, emotional and spiritual support.
Why Are We Here
The Sholly Smile Factory was birthed from a place of deep pain. We find that, ‘in helping others, we find healing’. Out of the pain, purpose is being birthed. Now, Sholly will not be remembered for the horrible story of her death because we are creating a new, beautiful story from her death. One that touches lives. One that re-create smiles, like the ones Sholly is famous for.
What Do We Do
The Sholly Smile Factory provides monthly allowances to a range of beneficiaries for periods ranging from six to twelve months. We also host the ‘Sholly Rising’ events (an annual ‘safe space’ for people to talk about grief and how-to bring purpose from pain) and ‘The Sholly Love Talks’ (a gathering where we talk about God’s love and what it has to do with our lives as Christians)
We are also a permanent partner to the Raziela Foundation, the Rebirth Women’s Feeding Ministry and Our Paths to Greatness Africa. We love what these NGOs are doing because it aligns so well with our purpose – putting smiles on the faces of people. Finally, this year, we provided our first full scholarship to a student attending Music School.
What is our Dream
Short term: Grow bigger pool of funds – via investments – so the Foundation can create even more smiles.
Medium term: Get Donors that believe in our cause. Grow beneficiaries list by 50%.
Long term: Have a Sholly Smile Factory office, Pure Bliss Sanctuary and NaijaSistas Book Store.
And lastly, the first Sholly Talk “What’s Love Got To Do With Faith”, where I listened to people shared their stories about how they walked in love and forgiveness even with the most undeserving people. My eyes were opened to another dimension of God’s love.