In line with EduCom's belief, inspired by John F. Kennedy's quote that everyone should have equal access to education despite varying abilities, the Chief Operating Officer, Joseph Hamelo, visited Nigeria to collaborate with Lucy Onovwa, EduCom's Strategist Assistant, in executing donation projects for two secondary schools and a motherless baby home in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. On January 9th, 2023, they visited Abadina College, Ibadan, and Community High School, Otun Agaakin, Ibadan, where we covered the WAEC fees of ten brilliant but underserved students. EduCom identified several students who are academically gifted but lack the financial means to pay for their WAEC exams, which would likely result in them dropping out after completing their secondary education. Additionally, they visited the Ibadan orphanage home, where they donated baby food, toiletries, and provisions. The donations made by EduCom aim to bridge the gap in educational opportunities for underserved students and to support disadvantaged children in the community
According to Joseph Hamelo, during the donations, his team witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by individuals from poor socio-economic backgrounds in affording basic needs, particularly access to quality education. At one school they visited, there were old buildings in need of renovation, inadequate books in the library, and some students didn't have textbooks to study from. However, EduCom is determined to make a significant impact in providing these essential educational resources with the available funds, grants, donations, and fundraising initiatives.
Donations made in Nigeria
In light of the devastating effects of poverty on children, including homelessness, unemployment, and a lack of access to basic needs, the EduCom team conducted research on the rates of secondary school dropouts in the Western part of Nigeria's Oyo state. Their findings revealed that many students in this region lack equal opportunities for quality education. For some students, even after completing a public secondary school education, which is free in Nigeria, they struggle to pay their WAEC fee to pursue higher education, leading to dropping out and contributing to the growing number of children without direction or prospects.
Moved by this plight, EduCom expanded its efforts to provide equal educational opportunities to underserved students in Nigeria. When the team arrived at the first school, they encountered a woman in tears, pleading with the principal for an extension on her child's WAEC payment deadline. The woman shared that her husband had been involved in an accident and was fighting for his life in the hospital, leaving her with no hope of paying the fee. After hearing her story and confirming the child's academic excellence with the principal, EduCom gladly added the child's name to the list of students whose fees would be paid.
At the second school, the EduCom team encountered incomplete parent representation, despite the donation being for six students. After reintroducing EduCom and its mission, Joseph Hamelo requested that the parents be present during the payment process. Three parents were present, and one of them tearfully expressed her gratitude, sharing her story of losing her husband, the breadwinner of the family, and her worries about not being able to afford the compulsory exam for her child.
Another parent shared his struggles with feeding his family, let alone paying for the final examination fee, and expressed surprise and gratitude when he received the message from the school principal that EduCom would cover his child's WAEC fee. The other students whose parents were not present were orphans, and they shared their relief at receiving financial help for their education and reported they had assumed to this was the end of their education since there was no one available to support them financially.
Overall, EduCom's efforts in Nigeria have made a significant impact on students from poor socio-economic backgrounds who struggle to access quality education. Through their donations, they have not only helped individual students but have also given hope to families and communities that a better future is possible through education.
Impact of the Donations on the recipients
The students whose WAEC fees were paid have experienced significant impacts from the donations. Many are now able to sit for the exam and potentially progress to higher education to pursue their desired career paths. Some students have shared stories of the financial struggles they face, such as having to sell food in the morning to support their families or coping with the loss of a parent. The donations from EduCom are helping to provide equal educational opportunities for underserved students, which is crucial for creating a more equitable society, as Sonia Sotomayor has noted. By giving these students access to education, they can become doctors, nurses, and other professionals who can improve their communities' health care.
Despite the progress made, EduCom is aware that there is still much work to be done. The organization aims to secure more funding to expand their efforts to help more underserved students pay for their WAEC fees and provide full-ride scholarships in Nigeria and other African countries. The CEO, a social worker, has identified several social problems that
EduCom is willing to address by paying for more students' WAEC fees in other schools in Nigeria. The organization is committed to providing equal opportunities to students who would otherwise miss the exam due to their socioeconomic background. Overall, the impact of these donations is significant and far-reaching, offering a glimmer of hope to students who might otherwise be left behind.
EduCom and its team are delighted to announce that they are expanding their goal to offer full-ride scholarship opportunities to other African countries. The donations received in Nigeria have served as a source of motivation for all volunteers and board members to do more and continue making a positive impact on the lives of underserved students.
