Shoprite Partners Save Our Needy On School Rehabilitation Project

On July 27th, Save Our Needy in partnership with the Shoprite Community Network (charity arm of Shoprite) commissioned a block of 5 classrooms at St Martins Nursery and Primary School, Mushin, Lagos. The entire school block was rehabilitated under the project ''Better Life Through Education.''

The project which primarily aims at improving learning conditions of pupils attending low-income (public) schools and promoting early childhood development (ECD), was attended by dignitaries and  representatives from Ministry of Education, Lagos State Basic
Education Board (SUBEB) and Mushin Local Government.

Official commissioning of school block by Adekunle A. Julius (Sole Administrator, Odi Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA)

L - R: Teachers of St Martins Sch., Jerry Odili, Marvella Odili, Adekunle A. Julius, Mrs Nwankere (Head Teacher)

Inspecting work done on classes

Front gate of St Martins School

 

Commissioning plaque

During the course of the project, broken ceilings and leaking roofs were fixed, damaged floors were repaired, classrooms and the entire school block were painted. The classrooms were also equipped with whiteboards. 

St Martins School and the Mushin community were selected as beneficiaries of this phase of the project because of their high population density and high poverty rate. 

Classroom transformation (before and after)

Classroom transformation (before and after)

School block transformation (before and after)

In her speech at the joyous occasion, the CEO of Save Our Needy, Marvella Odili, emphasized that "quality education for every child should never be compromised. All children irrespective of their social backgrounds, have the right to study in a conducive and peaceful environment. That is non negotiable."

"Better Life Through Education" was launched in August 2015. More than three schools in Lagos State have benefited from the initiative so far.

Dance performance by pupils of St Martins School

Visit the Save Our Needy website to know more about this project and other ways Save Our Needy is positively influencing lives: www.saveourneedy.org
facebook.com/SaveOurNeedy

Twitter: @SaveOurNeedy

Saving Education

Education remains a top priority for Save Our Needy. Poverty can be greatly reduced by supporting education initiatives for disadvantaged children.

A young single mother of 4 boys, victim of domestic violence and abuse recently benefited from Save Our Needy support. Since she took courage to leave her husband several years ago due to constant abuse and lack of care for her and her children, life has not been easy for Nkechi as she shoulders all the responsibilities at home. She lives in a one-room apartment in a very disadvantaged community in Lagos State. Save Our Needy gave her a generous donation of food items, clothing for herself and her children, toiletries as well as toys when the SON team visited.

Most importantly, her son, Ifeatu Chinerem, who lost a whole school year due to financial difficulties is now able to go back to school as Save Our Needy provided his school fees.

Program Manager, Save Our Needy, Jerry Odili, presenting the tuition fees to Nkechi Onuorah

Nkechi and two of her sons showing appreciation to Save Our Needy

Nkechi happily looks on as her children practice their music skills with one of the donated toys

Food items, clothing, toiletries and toys were also donated to the family

“Better Life Through Education” Project Launched In Partnership With The Shoprite Community Network.

                                     

After months of preparation, the ‘’Better Life Through Education” project was finally launched today.

The main focus of this initiative is to promote early childhood development, encourage basic education amongst disadvantaged children and create a conducive atmosphere for learning.

Progressive Nursery and Primary School, Festac Town, Lagos, was the first beneficiary of this initiative. Whiteboards, dusters, markers, chairs and tables were donated to transform classes and improve learning conditions of the pupils. Some of the classrooms were also rehabilitated during the course of the project.

The SON and Shoprite Community Network teams were warmly received by excited parents, teachers, head teachers, members of the School Base Management Committee and members of the State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB), Lagos.

We sincerely wish to thank the Shoprite Community Network for ably and generously supporting us during this project. We also wish to express our gratitude to our partners Verdant Zeal, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Lagos as well as our media partners Stella Dimoko Korkus blog, Vanguard, Punch and ThisDay newspapers.

A nursery classroom of Progressive Nursery & Primary School, Festac Town, transformed

Whiteboards donated to the school

Head teacher, Mrs T.A Ajayi, representatives of State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Lagos, representatives of Sshoprite and SON team appreciating the transformation of the nursery class

From R-L: SON volunteer, CEO, Save Our Needy, Marvella Odili, representatives of School Base Management Committee, representatives of Shoprite Community Network, head teacher and teachers, Progressive Nursery & Primary School, Lagos. Squatting: SON Staff

Classrooms were also renovated

Before and after pictures of a nursery class of Progressive Nursery & Primary School, Festac Town, Lagos.

 SON volunteer, Onyinye Veola, representative of SUBEB, Lagos, CEO, Save Our Needy, Marvella Odili, representatives of School Base Management Committee, representatives of Shoprite Community Network, head teacher and teachers, Progressive Nursery & Primary School, Lagos. Squatting: SON Staff, Wale Olatunde and Ifeoma Ihionu

This is the pilot phase of the “Better Life Through Education” project. We hope to embark on the second phase in the not too distant future.