In early March, TikTok creator Zachery Dereniowski approached a 24-year-old mother of two in a Dollar Store in Ontario, Canada.
“I really need someone’s help,” Dereniowski said. “Do you have $2 by any chance? For a soother? My baby can’t stop crying at home.”
The mother, Ronke, said she knew how important babies are, pointing out her 7-month-old sons David and Daniel. After she dug through her purse and passed over two dollars in change, Dereniowski asked her where she was from.
“I’m from Nigeria,” Ronke replied. “I’m a student, International Business and Management Logistics.”
Dereniowski returned the change, saying he felt bad. She turned down his offer, saying that “God will provide.”
“God has been helping me,” she said. “I’m here alone, without my husband…I don’t have a house of my own, a sister in my church is helping me. I’m staying with them.”
“God has been helping me back and front,” Ronke went on, “sending helpers to me.”
“Why give?” Dereniowski asked.
“One way or the other, I receive help,” she replied. “Why can’t I help? No matter how little it is?”
Then — in tradition with his other “surprise” TikToks — Dereniowski offered her $1,000 cash.
“Really? Are you sure about this?” She asked, her stunned expression turning into laughter. “$1,000?”
After the two embraced, Ronke pulled away, hand to her head. She said that just that morning she had been telling her husband on the phone that her “route” in Ontario was coming to an end.
“Thank you,” she said, folding over in relief.
On March 8, Dereniowski posted the video with a call to action to donate to Slingshot, a crowdfunding website, in Ronke’s name.
In the webpage description, Dereniowksi delved even deeper into Ronke’s story.
“Since moving to Canada to pursue her dreams of higher education, she found out she was pregnant with twins, her husband’s visa to Canada had been denied, her pregnancy had complications in which she nearly died and [was] in the hospital for over a month,” the TikToker wrote on Slingshot. “That same time, her mom had passed away overseas.”
Dereniowski added that Ronke has kept up with her education — even as she “squats” in a neighbor’s guest room with her infants.
“Let's all come together and show Ronke and her babies the power of the internet and bless them,” the TikToker encouraged. “100% of the net funds raised will go to paying Ronke’s living expenses.”
Ronke’s story is heart-wrenching — but unfortunately not uncommon.
The average cost of living in Ontario, Canada is $2,139 — which is 1.16 times more expensive than the national average.
In 2024, a report from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario revealed that more than 80,000 people in Ontario were experiencing homelessness, a 25% increase since 2022.
“The scope and scale of homelessness across Ontario’s municipalities is truly staggering,” Robin Jones, AMO president, said in a statement.
“Without real and meaningful provincial action, the quality of life and economic prosperity of Ontario’s communities is at risk. We can solve this crisis, but we need to work together.”
Fortunately, long-term affordable housing solutions are in the works on a municipal level in Ontario.
Local government funding for housing and homelessness programs surged in recent years, with funds totalling more than $2.1 billion in 2024.
January 2025 also saw the implementation of several housing laws that protect Canadian tenants from eviction (Rental Renovation License By-Law) and increase pathways to housing assistance (updates to The Household and High Need Income Limits).
Although crowdfunding stories like Ronke’s are only a small bandage on larger, systemic issues of homelessness — they remain necessary, life-saving measures for those in need as long-term change awaits.
Within hours of her Slingshot being posted, donations began to pour in for Ronke’s family from all over the world.
“Your story moved me,” one donor wrote. “May you and your babies and husband be reunited and thrive forever.”
Another donor asked for a follow-up to Ronke’s story, writing: “Please let us know how she gets on with her beautiful babies, Taiwo and Kehinde” — names traditionally given to twins in the Yoruba culture of Nigeria.
At the time of publication, the crowd-raised funds totaled $84,690.
“I cannot wait to see her reaction,” one TikTok follower commented. “You are all incredible.”
Header images via Zachery Dereniowski / TikTok
