Yewande Fagunwa, aka Olori Wendy, a Nigerian-American soldier and journalist, recently undertook a remarkable 31-day journey across America, exemplifying her faith, resilience, and purpose.
According to a statement sent to Society Plus, Wendy set out from California in a rented car on August 1, 2025, with the goal of driving through all 48 contiguous US states within a month.
Her mission went beyond visiting various states; she sought to raise awareness about homelessness in America, a pressing issue she felt driven to address.
This wasn’t simply about me embarking on a cross-country road trip. It was about sharing the experiences of people without homes and providing them with a voice,” she said. In order to keep costs low, she transformed her rental vehicle into a makeshift dwelling.
She noted that truck stops and 24-hour rest areas became her resting places, while nights frequently entailed curling up in the driver’s seat to catch a few hours of sleep before continuing.
The statement noted, “The journey was far from smooth.
Instead of the warm summer drives she had envisioned, she often found herself navigating sudden storms, fog, and heavy rain. Mechanical troubles with her car further delayed her trip, forcing her to lose valuable time. Though she had hoped to return to California by her birthday on August 26, setbacks stretched her schedule. Still, she refused to give up.
At every stop, Wendy carried more than her own story. She carried compassion. Along the way, she handed out cash and relief items to homeless individuals she encountered, listening to their struggles and sharing her own experience of living out of a car.
Her trip ultimately covered all 48 contiguous states, leaving only Alaska and Hawaii for another day.”
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