By Tina Amanda
In a bid to enhance education and academic performance amongst students, government at all levels, corporate organizations, stakeholders, agencies and individuals have been called upon to provide learning materials to indigent students in the state.
Acho Iyalla, the president of Selfless Patriots Initiative, a charity organization, made the call while presenting school items including uniforms, school bags, books and writing materials to over two hundred students of Comprehensive Secondary School Bundu Ama, Port Harcourt.
She noted that less privileged students need to be encouraged to work harder in their studies, adding that some students are discouraged from going to school because their parents and guardians cannot afford their learning materials.
According to Iyalla, “We are a charity organization and what we do is to gather our resources every last Saturday of the month to reach out to the indigent and less privileged. We also have a special educational scheme for children which is “Help the Children Project” for junior secondary school students once in a while we also reach out to those in senior secondary school with their WAEC examination.
“Today the committee decided to reach out to children in Bundu Ama community. We have always felt that the best way to help school children is to make them a bit comfortable, it may not be perfect but a bit reasonable, we just felt given them books and writing materials will give them encouragement.
“Most times some children come to school with turn uniforms, some come without shoes, some no writing materials or books and that will discourage them and damping their self confidence. To help boost that confidence we felt it will be okay to make them feel comfortable in their physical appearance, give them things that will help them in class not when others are writing they are looking for where to beg paper and all that.
“We also want to encourage people to reach out as much as they can no matter how little just touch a life it is very important. Giving for me is one thing that has helped me, the fact I can help someone makes me feel good and confident, it does not necessary mean you should have the whole world inside that your little you can share with someone”.
Also, the Principal of the school, George Waribere, who appreciated the selfless effort of the organization, said the gift items motivate students to take their studies more seriously, noting that education has become quite expensive, even though the state government made it free for all.
“It is a thing of joy because these gift items will boost the morale of the students and make them work harder. During the past administration of Honourable Rotimi Ameachi he provided uniforms, books for students, the students are very elated I was actually looking forward for such a thing, when they informed me about their coming I was very happy.
“I pray other organizations follow suit to provide school materials and come up with this initiative too, Goverment on its own is trying if other organizations can be involved in this selfless service of touching lives the less privileged children will benefit because education now is expensive.
“As a school we also play our part we look at some of the students and contribute money to provide some school materials such as sandals, uniforms for them, I also support by using my money to pay some approved fees for the indigent student’s. It is a relief to them and their parents,” the Principal stated.
Some of the student beneficiaries thanked the charity organization for the encouragement while promising to put in their best in their studies.
