#WomenWeLoveWednesday: Feyi Mbanugo – The Mindful tee Maker.
When Feyi Mbanugo’s daughter- Kamara was diagnosed with Global Developmental Delay-GDD, she started a global campaign to raise awareness and support for the issue. GDD occurs between birth and 18years.
The condition is described as a child having lower intellectual functioning than what is perceived to be ‘normal’. In July 2015, Feyi left her career as a trained Gourmet Chef and set out to England in search of better care for her daughter.
In England, she established very quickly that she would nurture her daughter with positive words in a loving environment. After a few months of settling her children Kobi, Kamara,and Kaito, Feyi was inspired to channel her positive lifestyle into a new line of tees for children.
We are in love with the big heart and the brilliant mind behind this project. She shares her story with Ebun Feludu:
I had been talking about the lack of positive message t-shirts in the market and how I was tired of seeing shirts with words like ‘little monsters’ , ‘rascals’ etc. I remember mentioning it on a group I am a part of (GFC) and it was you Ebun who said on the group ” Feyi there could be a market for you. Go and do this “. After that conversation, I remember watching my children and seeing how they responded to words, especially my daughter Kamara , who is very motivated by praise and positive encouragement.
I think many parents would like the concept of positive, uplifting words, photos and designs for their children. The world has become very dark and negative. That ray of sunshine from one of our tees is bound to put a smile on someone’s face, starting with the child who is wearing it.
After the inspiration, what came next?
I went online and started looking at tshirts and seeing what was available. I wanted to know what others were doing and whether there was a market for this. I noticed that most people either did religious tees or your normal rascal tees but not too many companies had the motivational options. So I knew there was a gap in the market.
I looked around for someone who would work with me on the project and I was directed to a lady who is also a member of my women’s group. Once we spoke, I knew her firm Sirius Consulting was the company for the job. Sirius Consulting has been excellent and they really saw me through the whole process from start to finish.
What kind of content can parents expect to find in your line?
The line has funny, inspirational, positive content. Some of the tees have a touch of naija and we have a ‘by Ishmael’ collection (Ishmael is a cousin of mine who is a graphics designer. We also have a parent and child line for parents who want to wear matching clothes with their children, and there’s more to come.
How will your line of tshirts make a difference?
I think it will be a great change in how children view themselves and help them to know that words can affect people. They also can be more deliberate and their words and be nice to other children.
How is this t-shirt line connected to your campaign on GDD #Kamaratalks.
This line is inspired by Kamara and all my children. More towards Kamara because her communication range is quite low at the moment so we have to be very intentional in what we say to her as it affects her moods. When I’m angry or sad it totally throws her off balance but when things are happy and cheerful she’s a different child. I struggled for a long time to be positive, as I felt overwhelmed by the challenges of caring, but whilst working on this line I’ve become more aware of the words I use and how I talk to my children. It’s still not 100{54d2fcdcd494adb6982253be6fe8d5492e5f586157f419110131714f9092ec60} but I am getting more and more positive.
How much do the tshirts cost?
Our shirts start from N3500 all the way to N6500 each. They are available at TW Magazine offices.
What dreams do you have for yourself Feyi?
Hmm that’s a big one , I want to make a difference in people’s lives. I want to be someone that people can say ‘she came through for me when things were down’. It’s important that people see the love of God in the things that I do and what is happening in my life. It may not always be perfect but to know that God is always with us every step of the way no matter how difficult things may get.
What dreams do you have for your daughter Kamara?
For my darling kamara , I want people to see the amazing child she is. I want her to be able to do anything she wants and to be anyone she wants to be. To know she’s not limited by her condition. Kamara is such a happy and confident child despite all she faces. She never let’s anyone make her feel less than she is. She’s not accepting of bullying, oh no not Kamara. You push her she will push you back. She’s an independent go getter that one.
What dreams do you have for your other children- Kobi and Kaito?
I want them to all have a sense of themselves , to be proud of who they are and where they come from. To support one another and to be kind to those who are different from them. To realise that God dwells in us all. I want them to be good citizens of the world.
If you could touch other mothers of children with special needs with one message, what would that message be?
I was speaking to a fellow parent a couple of days ago who also has a child with special needs and I said Kamara has taught me so much in the past year.
1 : That we ALL have special needs.
2: That every child is unique and should simply be treated as a child and not a child with a disability.
3. That these children teach us we have so much more to learn about human beings.
4. That the capacity they have to LOVE is enormous.
5. That even though it can be really hard and sometimes isolating , I wouldn’t change my daughter for another one.