Tinu Sparkles ~ A Walk in Honor of Tinuola Olateju

by SLY on September 19th, 2010

I received an email a few days ago and i would really like to share with you the information I have come across. It is in regards to Tinuola Olateju and something beautiful her friends are doing in honor of her. As you know September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and therefore there are all sorts of events taking place to raise awareness.

This is the email I received…

I am the mother of one of Tinu’s friends. I would like to let the family know that a group of Tinu’s friends is taking part in an Out of the Darkness walk (Sept. 19th in St. Paul, ) in Tinu’s honor. The team has been named Tinu’s Sparkles with the added theme of “her smile lives on”. I was not sure who the best contact for this would be but I know you have been a good “middle” person (I have been following your blog since your first writing after Tinu’s death). I would just like to let them know that Tinu is still very much in her friends hearts. Thank you (and thank you for sharing yourself through your words)!

Thanks,

S.M.

I am so proud of her friends for doing this and I quickly made my way to the donation site to make a contribution in honor of Tinu. The link will be below for those interested in donating to a worthy, honorable, legitimate, legal cause that uses the money for admirable things. (Please be informed about who you donate to.) Donations for this walk are tax deductible and the charity is in good legal standing.

The mother wrote me later to tell me more about the kids and what’s been going on. As I read her email below, (only parts are included) I wept on the train. People were looking at me like I was crazy. Some were sad tears of sorrow and others were of hope.

The email begins….

I took a group of kids to the cemetery twice this summer. It proved to be a very cultural learning experience for the kids. The first time it was only American kids. Some of them had written letters to Tinu that they left (wrapped in baggies to keep dry ) on her grave. Both times the girls brought flowers. The first trip they sat in a circle surrounding the grave. They spent a good hour and it was amazing to see a group of 15 year olds do this. They were reverent and respectful. The second time the group included two African born boys (Liberia and Cameroon). This is when culture came into play. A cemetery is not a place to “hang out” in many of the African cultures. This group of 15 year olds worked together to arrive at what an acceptable solution was and how to best pay their respects (and then “get the heck away from the spirits”). With all the things these kids have to deal with at this age I am truly amazed when I watch this particular group.

It all fills up a lot of room in one’s heart and soul.

Anyway………….here is a link to the page for “Tinu’s Sparkles” for the walk on Sunday. Click on Jaime Bartels to go to her “donor” page and read what she wrote about why she is walking.

[Jaime's page reads as follows ~ SLY]

***

Dear Friends,

On May 29, 2010 I lost a best friend. I don’t believe anyone should feel the sadness, depression, and pain she felt. We do not know why she did, but i wish she didnt. I want to make more people aware of suicide.
This is for you Tinu.
February 15, 1995 – May 29, 2010.

***

Back to her mom’s email….

Jaime and Cinthia came up with “her smile lives on”. I will try to get you some pictures. They made shirts for the walk so I will try to get those too. Jaime opted to keep this walk more personal. The process of donations touched her so deeply that she donated $25 (substantial amount based on her income). (She’s a teenager ~ SLY) We stressed from the beginning that earning money was not the main focus of doing this.

I will send you updates and feel free to contact me! Thank you!

S.M.

Please spread the word about this wonderful walk taking place on Sunday in honor of Tinu. If you have the financial means and you want to, donate toward’s their group. My heart is so heavy with the loss of this dear child and I want to do all that I can to prevent any one else from having to go through this. When I see the effects it has on my friends Lola, Peju, Joke and their younger brothers and their father and the friends and all those teenagers sobbing at her funeral, I just break down. I just want to do everything that I can to honor her life, help my friends move forward with their healing and prevent it from happening as best I can.

Tinuola Olateju

February 15, 1995 – May 29, 2010