…. over 100 children receive school supplies
…..empowers the public on the undeniable value of education
By Tracy Ohovwore
In commemoration of the International Day of Education, the Smiles for the Orphans and Vulnerable Children Initiative in collaboration with Youth Orientation for Development and Lagos State Ministry of Education, District V, has celebrated the value of education with another edition of its street to school initiative.
This important event took place at the Professor A.O.K Noah Hall, Lagos State University of Education, Oto Ijaninkin, bringing together School children from various public schools across the state as well as key educational stakeholders, teachers and appropriate authorities.
Impressively, over 100 pupils/students from public primary and secondary schools around Oto-Ijaninkin were equipped with educational materials.in accordance with the theme of the event: “The Power of Youth in Co-creating Education”, this project encapsulated the powerful importance of education in the lives of every child while stating that education is a right and not a privilege.
Speaking, the founder and team lead, SOVCI, Mr Euriel Momah highlighted that the sole purpose of the SOVCI is to help support and keep children in school.
He noted that the Street to School Initiative, a project of the SOVCI which started in January 2023 to celebrate the International Day of Education, was birthed with the rising need to help indigent children from poor backgrounds with all the requirements they needed for them to learn in classrooms with their peers.
“Our vision and objective is to keep indigent, poor and vulnerable children in schools.”
Mr Momah disclosed the saddening cases of some children that are on the verge of dropping out of school and hence they need all the help they can to get the quality education they deserve.
“For some, we pay their school fees, others, we buy educational materials and support tools. We also have some student in the tertiary institution we are providing support to.
“Our vision is to ensure that we can keep playing our roles towards bridging the gaps of those that are in school and those that are not in school.” Mr Momah said.
He urged that the education of a child can not be tampered with as failure of doing so will make the child more vulnerable and open to exploitation.
The SOVCI founder, further pleaded for public support to help keep the hope of every child alive. “This is a cry for kindhearted individuals who want to give back to the humanity to please invest in our projects.”
He expressed that public support will help the organization do more and reach more children who are in dire needs.
“We need a lot of funds. If we have enough funds, these will help make the lives of these poor and vulnerable children a better one.”
Speaking on the theme the President of the Youth Orientation for Development, Ambassador Emmanuel Ejogu, called out every child present at the event to keep being creative in learning and to be impact driven.
He hammered on the need for youths to be involved in educational planning and reforms. He further pointed out that should be made more practical and transformative.
Amb. Ejogu also added that vulnerable children also desecration quality education. According to him, vulnerable children are not only recipients of charity, they are holders of potentials, bearers of dreams and also co- creators of solutions when given access, protection and opportunity.
In addition, Prof. S.A Dosumu of Lagos State University, commended SOVCI for their impeccable contribution in bridging the educational gap. He also pleaded with educationists to ensure that they do their best well and provide qualify education to the children who depend on them.
Also, the H.O.S, Ojo Local Government Education Authority, Mrs Ogunwesi commended the teachers for their unwavering support and urged the students to stay grounded and focused on their studies.
She reignited the hope of quality education amongst children and further urged educationists to ensure they do their best in shaping the lives of every child positively.
School children at the event were presented school supplies to help them remain focused this new academic session.
Other side attractions of the events included poetry presentations and short documentaries.
