“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela
Marginalized communities are often characterized by a higher prevalence of poverty, lack of infrastructure, and low access to healthcare and education, of which the biggest victims are children. This affects their standard of living and quality of life. There has to be a deliberate focus to improve access to health and education for such communities to improve development.
Often, children in these communities don’t have access to quality educational facilities. Putting them at a disadvantage when compared to their peers in urban areas. The lack of amenities like potable water and functional health centers also impact on their ability to learn and be productive in class.
Understanding this need, South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria through the Local Rights Programme, is doing its part to improve education in marginalized communities. The project provided ten 4-seater desks each for Divine Favour Nursery and Primary School Abor Isiala Community in Isi Uzo LGA, Community Primary School, Oduma Achara, Ani-nri LGA and Community primary school Nkume Community, Uzo Uwani LGA.
In a ceremony on the school premises on Friday, 30th of September 2022, the headmistress of Community Primary School expressed her gratitude by thanking the organizations for their effort. “You can see the joy and the way the kids danced. That says it all. We’re grateful to SSDO and ActionAid for this timely intervention.”
Stakeholders present include School Based Management Committee Chairman, Mr. Ovili, LGA Councilor, Mr. Amos Orji, SSDO’s Head of Programs, Udochukwu Egwim, SSDO’s LRP Project Lead, Perpetual Njoku, Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) chairpersons, teachers, and community representative of the schools amongst others.
SSDO’s Head of programs, Udochukwu Egwim, stated that the importance of education cannot be overemphasized. “We as an organization will do our best to ensure that kids are in school and a lack of facilities would not be a stumbling block to their learning development.”
Through its child sponsorship mechanism, the project aims to reduce poverty by engaging with the poor and marginalized in selected communities.
