Mama Ekundayo – The Yoruba - Kogi Woman Who Raised Over 500 Orphans And Abandoned Children.

I t is little surprise that we have neglected some of the most vulnerable ones in the society – the orphans and abandoned kids. But there was one woman who did the opposite – she dedicated her life to taking care of orphans. Her name is Mama Janet Ekundayo. Ekundayo is a name in the language of the Yorubas of West Africa. It can be translated as ‘tears turned to joy’ or ‘my tears have turned to joy’. And truly, this wonderful woman turned the hot, steamy tears of many kids into unlimited joy. Mama Ekundayo has been described as the Mother Theresa of Africa, because she dedicated most of her life to take care of orphans and abandoned children in the society. In 2007, she adopted her 469th child, and by the year 2008; she had already cared for over 500 children. This act earned her the nickname “Olomo yeye”, which means someone with many children. Her lifestyle projected the meaning of her name, “Ekundayo,” which is translated to mean, “tears have turned to joy” in Yoruba language. ...