Wariz’s Transformation Story

Posted on September 26, 2025

Meet Wariz Babatunde today, one of the best graduating students of the Inner-City Mission Nursery and Primary School. But his journey to this point was far from easy.

Wariz grew up in Oregun community, in a family of two. His mother, a struggling petty trader, could only afford to feed them from her small daily earnings. Sending Wariz to school was out of reach. Like many other children in similar circumstances, Wariz spent his days roaming the streets, playing idly, with no structured learning and no clear future in sight.

That was until one of the Inner-City Mission’s social workers found him.

Wariz was enrolled in the Inner-City Mission 100% Free School under the Bridge Program, a life-changing initiative that provides everything a child needs to learn and thrive. For the first time in his life, he had school supplies, a proper uniform, and daily free breakfast and lunch. Most importantly, he had the chance to dream again.

Within this supportive environment, Wariz flourished. He made friends, excelled academically, discovered his potential, and eventually graduated as one of the best students in his class.

But Wariz’s story wasn’t always like this. His beginning reflects the reality of countless children living on the margins, children who survive day by day, navigating poverty and hopelessness. What makes Wariz’s story different is intervention. The Inner-City Mission stepped in, and today, his life has meaning, direction, and hope.

✨ This is what transformation looks like.