In Case You Missed It: Accessibility, Grants, and Being In the Red Circle Movement

Accessibility for One Means Accessibility for All

Before September 2019, Tomi Waziri was living what many would consider an everyday life, with perfect sight and no major disruptions, until tragedy struck. He lost his vision from a gunshot injury during a robbery he survived in Lagos, Nigeria.

Navigating life with visual impairment comes with many challenges, as expected. But Tomi didn’t let that stop him. He picked up what others might have called the broken pieces of his life and moved to Canada with his wife, his “first love,” as he fondly calls her.

Tomi, who shares a deep bond with his mother, speaks often about how much she means to him. One of his biggest considerations when moving to Canada was being able to send money back home to her. That’s how he discovered Pesa — through a friend.

Like many visually impaired users, Tomi expected Pesa to be difficult to use, just like the other apps he’d tried in the past. But to his surprise, Pesa was not only easy to navigate, it was easier for him to use than for his wife, who has perfect sight.

That level of accessibility turned Tomi into one of Pesa’s most prominent advocates. Completely unpaid, he regularly shares his love for Pesa on X (formerly Twitter), referring people and singing our praises because of how much the product has genuinely helped him.

In February 2025, Tomi tweeted to raise money to buy a car for his wife, a woman who has taken on so much, given the realities of his visual impairment and the lifestyle limitations that come with it. He simply wanted to express his gratitude for her kindness.

To show our gratitude for Tomi’s consistent support and unwavering loyalty, we decided to contribute to the car fund by covering the rest of the payment for his wife’s car.

Tomi reminds us daily what it means to keep showing up,  to live a full life despite all odds. He also reminds us that normal looks different for everyone, and that accessibility isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s essential.

For World Accessibility Day, we had Tomi share his story in his own words.
 

Watch here

Money Moves Because People Move

Support can take many forms, from reposts and referrals to showing up for each other in moments that matter. For us at Pesa, support meant backing real businesses with real money.

That’s why we launched our Business Grant, offering up to CAD 2,000 to selected businesses across different continents. All participants were asked to describe how they’d use the grant if they won.

Here are the six incredible winners of the Pesa Business Grant:

• Arewa Clothiers – A Canada-based fashion brand that creates custom bridal wear and prom dresses for women.
  
  
• Balloon Styling by Mo – A UK-based balloon decorator known for intricate, joyful installations that bring events to life.
  
  
• Snack Station – A Canada-based food service offering healthy, delicious Nigerian snacks that taste like home.
  
  
• Ulaku – A Nigeria-based brand that partners with local artisans to turn African art into stunning home décor.
  
  
• Event Hub by Tola – A Canada-based event styling brand that brings your dream events to life with colour and beauty.
  
  
• Mimifoodies – Our first-place winner! A Canada-based online grocery store that delivers African food items straight to your door.
  
  

Want to know when the next grant opens?
Follow us on X and Instagram to stay updated.

Who’s in the Circle?

We’re proud sponsors of one of the best films to come out of Nigeria in the last decade: Red Circle.

If you haven’t watched it yet, consider this your sign. Over the weekend, we attended the Red Circle premiere and were thrilled to witness brilliance in motion. This film proves that when great minds come together, incredible things happen.

We’ve already given out some exclusive Red Circle x Pesa merch… and we might still have more. 

Watch the premiere through our eyes.

Need to send money fast, safe, and effortlessly? Open your Pesa app to send money and enjoy zero fees, secure transactions, and great rates directly from your phone. 

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