What if a personal crisis became the spark for national change?
That’s the story of Benjamin Olorunfemi, the Executive Director of Rays of Hope Support Initiative (ROHSI) — and the very first winner of the ASEW Resource Grant.
After a life-threatening encounter with hypertension in 2016, Benjamin made a choice that would change thousands of lives: to fight the silent epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). It became the fuel behind Rays of Hope Support Initiative (ROHSI) — a nonprofit on a mission to bridge the healthcare gap for underserved Nigerians. What began as a personal mission has now blossomed into a growing social enterprise impacting over 6,000 people — with the ASEW grant playing a key role in accelerating that vision.
A Community Connection That Opened the Door
In 2024, Benjamin was selected to apply for the ASEW Resource Grant — a fund designed to support early-stage social innovators and NGOs with the tools, technology, talent, and equipment they need to build capacity and enterprises to sustain their impact.
As someone deeply embedded in the ASEW community, he knew the value of this opportunity.
Benjamin wasn’t a stranger to ASEW. In fact, he’d been an active part of the ASEW community from the early days — engaging with programs, joining workshops, and showing up consistently.
He said. “After sharing our work at ROHSI, Dr. Adeyemi (Founder, ASEW) encouraged me to check the website and apply. I was convinced we were aligned with ASEW’s vision.”
Winning the Grant: A Game-Changer
Being selected as the first-ever winner was not just an honour — it was a breakthrough. The ₦500,000 grant helped ROHSI develop a sustainable rental service model that generates income and supports their health advocacy work.
After winning the grant, Benjamin reinvested profits into the enterprise — from buying chairs to strengthening staff capacity. “We’ve reduced our dependence on donors and are now building a resilient, self-sustaining structure,” he said.
More than just financial support, the grant gave him credibility, visibility, and the momentum needed to expand ROHSI’s impact.
“This grant was a breakthrough,” Benjamin shared…. “It gave us the foundation we needed to become a resilient organisation, not just a passion project.”
With momentum on their side, Benjamin and his team are now working on launching a Mobile Van Clinic — a bold new initiative to bring healthcare directly to underserved communities.
They’ve also launched a Health Equity Campaign, urging those who can afford healthcare to support access for others. “This isn’t just about treating illness,” he says. “It’s about giving people the dignity of health.”
Challenges Along the Way
Of course, the journey hasn’t been without challenges — from funding gaps to scaling sustainably. But with a revenue-generating model and a committed team, ROHSI continues to evolve and grow.
To others considering applying for the ASEW Resource Grant, Benjamin’s message is clear: “Go for it! This grant changed the game for us. Be active in the ASEW community, engage, show up, and let your work speak.”
He’s now calling on others to dream big — and take the step.
Benjamin’s story is proof that with the right support, passion can become impact — and that support is available through the ASEW Resource Grant.
If you’re an early-stage NGO or social innovator working to create real change in your community, active in our community, and are taking advantage of our trainings and programs, this is your moment.
Applications for the 2025 ASEW Resource Grant are now open!
You could receive up to ₦500,000 or $300 in support enabling you to acquire crucial resources like human talent, technology, knowledge, equipment, or business support. This grant helps you purchase what you need to take your impact to the next level — plus the network and visibility to grow your mission.
Apply for the Resource Grant now — deadline is December 12th! https://forms.gle/BhwnbQseSbwT7uYy5
Don’t wait. Your impact story could be next.