TochiPhotos:
"After school, I help my mum sell oranges. I like going to the field cos I sell a lot there and also watch them play football, sometimes I wish I can play with the other children but I can't leave my market to play. When I grow up I want to be a billionaire so my mum won't sell oranges again." #humansoflagos

TochiPhotos:
"Do you know my song? It's popular in the bars I play at night, let me play it for you. Do you know that ikpuche ijaye track Flavor released that time? Its mine but I gave it to him for free. I will release an album soon I already have 6 tracks it remains small" #HumansOfLagos

akashi01:
OP hope you have their contacts? someone might be generous enough to help them



#JustSaying

TochiPhotos:
"I'm from Adamawa, Boko haram attacked our town and I was lucky to escape. I came to Lagos with only my mosquito net and no money. One day I was walking round Ajah market and saw one of my friends that we grew up in Mubi, he was selling mosquito net he was happy to see me and took me to his house and the following day he gave me his market and I sold everything and I realized the business was good so he taught me everything about the business. I raised my capital by cutting the mosquito net I came with and sold it, mosquito net is foreign and better than the local net we buy here. That's how I started my sponge business and I've done it for 4 months now and I'm doing well." #HumansOfLagos

UjSizzle:
Hah! So we've been showering with local mosquito nets all along

UjSizzle:
Tochiphotos,

How do you get these people to talk to you about their lives?



And maybe you should consider contacting Brandon (HONY) so you two can partner. This could become some major international ish ya know, and partnership makes that happen faster.
**Just a suggestion

Good job. And I'm still tripping for that camera biko (what's the cost?)

TochiPhotos:

I just walk up to them, tell them about the humans of Lagos and what it's all about if I get lucky, I'll get the chance to discuss with the person and I usually start from something that is not personal and as the person gets comfortable enough, they start opening up and I've come to realize most people are always willing to talk just that no one cares enough to ask them.
That aside, it hasn't been an easy ride to be honest, I've had so many challenges, from been nervous to approach people to getting shut down by people I approach some rude and some wouldn't even care to let me finish explaining to them at some point I've felt like abandoning it, The first day was the most challenging. That morning I walked over 18KM without getting a single person to talk to, I walked hopelessly from Orile to Bode Thomas to Ojuelegba then Yaba and finally Akoka, I was afraid to approach people and when I did my nervousness would show and I think that made them uncomfortable too. I was dejected and had made up my mind to give up and was going to get soft drinks and start going home when I met the first person I talked to, Mr C. along Unilag faculty of SS, I said hi, introduced myself and told him about the project and he agreed and we got talking and before I knew it, I had spent more than 20 mins talking to this stranger who I just met and believe me anyone who saw us would think we've known each other for years, we were just talking about random things, football etc and one thing led to another and we got into personal things and he told me about how his Aunty had brought him to Lagos and put him on the street instead of sending him to uni as she promised his parents etc I spent more than 30 mins with him and that was my first post. Talking to him made me forget all the past rejections made me believe I could actually do it and motivated me to continue I think that was the turning point. I still get nervous but I've come to understand that not everyone will say yes or willing to let a stranger into their personal life and I've come to make peace with that so when people tell me no I don't let it weigh me down I just think about the amazing people that have said yes and the people they've motivated and that keeps me going.
Yesterday I met one of the most interesting people I've been blessed to talk to in this project, Ahmed the sponge seller, I met Ahmed sitting on bench facing the lagoon in cms and I walked up to him and told him about the project, and he agreed to talk to me What got my attention was how he was knitting the sponge, I always thought they bought it like that so that was how we started our talk and he told how he had escaped boko haram, at a point he was close to tears, telling me about his friends that might have been killed he kept praising God for saving him and blessing him with this new life, it was an emotional encounter. He told me about his plans for the future and how he plans to expand his business, he really loves the business. The hour I spent talking to Ahmed has been one of the best things that has happened to me, it was so inspiring. Sometimes when I feel like giving up, I think about Ahmed's story and the rest of them and realize there are many more people out there with stories that will inspire thousands and that's what keeps me going. So Uj, that's how I get them to talk to me about their lives, you see? you asked me a "simple questions and see what it has led to, that's basically how it happens outside there, most of those people I talked to, I think that's the first time someone has taken time to ask them something like that just as you've been the first person to take time and ask how I get the stories. People are willing to share but no one cares enough to ask or listen Thanks Uj, I'm really glad you asked. About the Camera its a mid-range(prosumer) camera you could get body only around 60k I guess but it jumps to 6 figures with the lens. Please do follow on instagram http://instagram.com/thehumansoflagos and facebook https://www.facebook.com/humansoflagosng tag your friends and repost and help us build this community biko and also tag your Nl buddies who might find this thread interesting and if you or anyone have ideas on how to improves and make this project better please send an email to thehumansoflagos@gmail.com or pm here.... thanks and do have a great week.

shevon:

My dear, people are afraid to stop and talk to strangers in Lagos for so many reasons. I grew up in Lagos and the impression the 'Streets' gave to me is that if you talk to a stranger, there is every possibility you might loose something (from your senses, to you private part to your life) .

TochiPhotos:

I just walk up to them, tell them about the humans of Lagos and what it's all about if I get lucky, I'll get the chance to discuss with the person and I usually start from something that is not personal and as the person gets comfortable enough, they start opening up and I've come to realize most people are always willing to talk just that no one cares enough to ask them.
That aside, it hasn't been an easy ride to be honest, I've had so many challenges, from been nervous to approach people to getting shut down by people I approach some rude and some wouldn't even care to let me finish explaining to them at some point I've felt like abandoning it, The first day was the most challenging. That morning I walked over 18KM without getting a single person to talk to, I walked hopelessly from Orile to Bode Thomas to Ojuelegba then Yaba and finally Akoka, I was afraid to approach people and when I did my nervousness would show and I think that made them uncomfortable too. I was dejected and had made up my mind to give up and was going to get soft drinks and start going home when I met the first person I talked to, Mr C. along Unilag faculty of SS, I said hi, introduced myself and told him about the project and he agreed and we got talking and before I knew it, I had spent more than 20 mins talking to this stranger who I just met and believe me anyone who saw us would think we've known each other for years, we were just talking about random things, football etc and one thing led to another and we got into personal things and he told me about how his Aunty had brought him to Lagos and put him on the street instead of sending him to uni as she promised his parents etc I spent more than 30 mins with him and that was my first post. Talking to him made me forget all the past rejections made me believe I could actually do it and motivated me to continue I think that was the turning point. I still get nervous but I've come to understand that not everyone will say yes or willing to let a stranger into their personal life and I've come to make peace with that so when people tell me no I don't let it weigh me down I just think about the amazing people that have said yes and the people they've motivated and that keeps me going.
Yesterday I met one of the most interesting people I've been blessed to talk to in this project, Ahmed the sponge seller, I met Ahmed sitting on bench facing the lagoon in cms and I walked up to him and told him about the project, and he agreed to talk to me What got my attention was how he was knitting the sponge, I always thought they bought it like that so that was how we started our talk and he told how he had escaped boko haram, at a point he was close to tears, telling me about his friends that might have been killed he kept praising God for saving him and blessing him with this new life, it was an emotional encounter. He told me about his plans for the future and how he plans to expand his business, he really loves the business. The hour I spent talking to Ahmed has been one of the best things that has happened to me, it was so inspiring. Sometimes when I feel like giving up, I think about Ahmed's story and the rest of them and realize there are many more people out there with stories that will inspire thousands and that's what keeps me going. So Uj, that's how I get them to talk to me about their lives, you see? you asked me a "simple questions and see what it has led to, that's basically how it happens outside there, most of those people I talked to, I think that's the first time someone has taken time to ask them something like that just as you've been the first person to take time and ask how I get the stories. People are willing to share but no one cares enough to ask or listen Thanks Uj, I'm really glad you asked. About the Camera its a mid-range(prosumer) camera you could get body only around 60k I guess but it jumps to 6 figures with the lens. Please do follow on instagram http://instagram.com/thehumansoflagos and facebook https://www.facebook.com/humansoflagosng tag your friends and repost and help us build this community biko and also tag your Nl buddies who might find this thread interesting and if you or anyone have ideas on how to improves and make this project better please send an email to thehumansoflagos@gmail.com or pm here.... thanks and do have a great week.

TochiPhotos:

I just walk up to them, tell them about the humans of Lagos and what it's all about if I get lucky, I'll get the chance to discuss with the person and I usually start from something that is not personal and as the person gets comfortable enough, they start opening up and I've come to realize most people are always willing to talk just that no one cares enough to ask them.
That aside, it hasn't been an easy ride to be honest, I've had so many challenges, from been nervous to approach people to getting shut down by people I approach some rude and some wouldn't even care to let me finish explaining to them at some point I've felt like abandoning it, The first day was the most challenging. That morning I walked over 18KM without getting a single person to talk to, I walked hopelessly from Orile to Bode Thomas to Ojuelegba then Yaba and finally Akoka, I was afraid to approach people and when I did my nervousness would show and I think that made them uncomfortable too. I was dejected and had made up my mind to give up and was going to get soft drinks and start going home when I met the first person I talked to, Mr C. along Unilag faculty of SS, I said hi, introduced myself and told him about the project and he agreed and we got talking and before I knew it, I had spent more than 20 mins talking to this stranger who I just met and believe me anyone who saw us would think we've known each other for years, we were just talking about random things, football etc and one thing led to another and we got into personal things and he told me about how his Aunty had brought him to Lagos and put him on the street instead of sending him to uni as she promised his parents etc I spent more than 30 mins with him and that was my first post. Talking to him made me forget all the past rejections made me believe I could actually do it and motivated me to continue I think that was the turning point. I still get nervous but I've come to understand that not everyone will say yes or willing to let a stranger into their personal life and I've come to make peace with that so when people tell me no I don't let it weigh me down I just think about the amazing people that have said yes and the people they've motivated and that keeps me going.
Yesterday I met one of the most interesting people I've been blessed to talk to in this project, Ahmed the sponge seller, I met Ahmed sitting on bench facing the lagoon in cms and I walked up to him and told him about the project, and he agreed to talk to me What got my attention was how he was knitting the sponge, I always thought they bought it like that so that was how we started our talk and he told how he had escaped boko haram, at a point he was close to tears, telling me about his friends that might have been killed he kept praising God for saving him and blessing him with this new life, it was an emotional encounter. He told me about his plans for the future and how he plans to expand his business, he really loves the business. The hour I spent talking to Ahmed has been one of the best things that has happened to me, it was so inspiring. Sometimes when I feel like giving up, I think about Ahmed's story and the rest of them and realize there are many more people out there with stories that will inspire thousands and that's what keeps me going. So Uj, that's how I get them to talk to me about their lives, you see? you asked me a "simple questions and see what it has led to, that's basically how it happens outside there, most of those people I talked to, I think that's the first time someone has taken time to ask them something like that just as you've been the first person to take time and ask how I get the stories. People are willing to share but no one cares enough to ask or listen Thanks Uj, I'm really glad you asked. About the Camera its a mid-range(prosumer) camera you could get body only around 60k I guess but it jumps to 6 figures with the lens. Please do follow on instagram http://instagram.com/thehumansoflagos and facebook https://www.facebook.com/humansoflagosng tag your friends and repost and help us build this community biko and also tag your Nl buddies who might find this thread interesting and if you or anyone have ideas on how to improves and make this project better please send an email to thehumansoflagos@gmail.com or pm here.... thanks and do have a great week.



Have linked u up on FB , also tagged friends ..Good job

Wealthyone:


@ bolded

TochiPhotos:

I just walk up to them, tell them about the humans of Lagos and what it's all about if I get lucky, I'll get the chance to discuss with the person and I usually start from something that is not personal and as the person gets comfortable enough, they start opening up and I've come to realize most people are always willing to talk just that no one cares enough to ask them.
That aside, it hasn't been an easy ride to be honest, I've had so many challenges, from been nervous to approach people to getting shut down by people I approach some rude and some wouldn't even care to let me finish explaining to them at some point I've felt like abandoning it, The first day was the most challenging. That morning I walked over 18KM without getting a single person to talk to, I walked hopelessly from Orile to Bode Thomas to Ojuelegba then Yaba and finally Akoka, I was afraid to approach people and when I did my nervousness would show and I think that made them uncomfortable too. I was dejected and had made up my mind to give up and was going to get soft drinks and start going home when I met the first person I talked to, Mr C. along Unilag faculty of SS, I said hi, introduced myself and told him about the project and he agreed and we got talking and before I knew it, I had spent more than 20 mins talking to this stranger who I just met and believe me anyone who saw us would think we've known each other for years, we were just talking about random things, football etc and one thing led to another and we got into personal things and he told me about how his Aunty had brought him to Lagos and put him on the street instead of sending him to uni as she promised his parents etc I spent more than 30 mins with him and that was my first post. Talking to him made me forget all the past rejections made me believe I could actually do it and motivated me to continue I think that was the turning point. I still get nervous but I've come to understand that not everyone will say yes or willing to let a stranger into their personal life and I've come to make peace with that so when people tell me no I don't let it weigh me down I just think about the amazing people that have said yes and the people they've motivated and that keeps me going.
Yesterday I met one of the most interesting people I've been blessed to talk to in this project, Ahmed the sponge seller, I met Ahmed sitting on bench facing the lagoon in cms and I walked up to him and told him about the project, and he agreed to talk to me What got my attention was how he was knitting the sponge, I always thought they bought it like that so that was how we started our talk and he told how he had escaped boko haram, at a point he was close to tears, telling me about his friends that might have been killed he kept praising God for saving him and blessing him with this new life, it was an emotional encounter. He told me about his plans for the future and how he plans to expand his business, he really loves the business. The hour I spent talking to Ahmed has been one of the best things that has happened to me, it was so inspiring. Sometimes when I feel like giving up, I think about Ahmed's story and the rest of them and realize there are many more people out there with stories that will inspire thousands and that's what keeps me going. So Uj, that's how I get them to talk to me about their lives, you see? you asked me a "simple questions and see what it has led to, that's basically how it happens outside there, most of those people I talked to, I think that's the first time someone has taken time to ask them something like that just as you've been the first person to take time and ask how I get the stories. People are willing to share but no one cares enough to ask or listen Thanks Uj, I'm really glad you asked. About the Camera its a mid-range(prosumer) camera you could get body only around 60k I guess but it jumps to 6 figures with the lens. Please do follow on instagram http://instagram.com/thehumansoflagos and facebook https://www.facebook.com/humansoflagosng tag your friends and repost and help us build this community biko and also tag your Nl buddies who might find this thread interesting and if you or anyone have ideas on how to improves and make this project better please send an email to thehumansoflagos@gmail.com or pm here.... thanks and do have a great week.

Justiceotuya:
do you know Mr C is my mum's step brother? Seriously immediately i saw his pics i knew him. Kai this world is small oh. Please when next your path crosses extend my greetings

millstone:



I really love your work... kudos. I'm trying to organize an exhibition in my University and I blive I just found what I was looking for.... how do I get to you?

GIYAZZ:
TochiPhotos I Love you. #NoHomo

LoveMEBaby:
ohh I know this man, he sells yoghurt in unilag, besides that's unilag surroundings.

vivaciousvivi:


By far one of the best threads I have opened and read in a long time and certainly the best so far this year.
Pictures do speak a thousand words and when you read the text, and reconnect it to the picture, you do realize that we are all human - with fears,dreams, aspirations, struggles, friendships, insecurities. The rawness of both the picture and the story are just amazing. Well done Tochi!

UjSizzle:
Tochiphotos

Thanks for sharing. It's always nice to know the story behind the stories
I admire your resilience. It's not hard to imagine how many people may have turned down your offer to be a listening ear lol and this helps to buttress a point i've been trying to make forever: People want to talk. Just provide an enabling environment, a blank space of sorts and see them fill up the spaces.

You're doing something good here

TochiPhotos:
"We just won this cup today, he scored the goal and I won the best keeper of the tournament. We are parading our cup in the market and people are giving us money, my mum's shop is here too" #HumansOfLagos