Isaac Chukwuebuka Chibuife#Project Sandals4Schools, a community development initiative that aims to bridge the educational gap in Nigeria has organised its first outreach programme in Bayelsa State.
Led by two former National Youth Service corps members, Chike Donald Ibewuike and Kelechi Ndieze, the project’s vision is to empower disadvantaged students by providing essential resources, starting with footwear and educational materials. Through their efforts, the team seeks to inspire learning, improve academic performance, and pave the way for a brighter future.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIn its first outreach, the project brought hope and vital resources to students in Bayelsa State, marking the beginning of a journey to reach every corner of Nigeria where educational challenges persist.
Originally intended as a Community Development Project during their service year, the project was aimed at gifting 1,000 disadvantaged students in Yenegoa, Bayelsa capital with footwear and books to inspire learning and to improve the rate of transition from primary junior secondary education in the state.
According to findings from their independent study, three in five children in the state capital attend primary school without footwear. During the outreach, the #Project Sandals4Schools team distributed over 200 sandals and 600 exercise books to students across nursery and primary classes in Bayelsa State.
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Among the beneficiaries of this project were students of St Matthias Primary School, Amarata, Community Primary School (CPS), Onopa, and St Luke Primary School, Agudama-Epie, all located in Yenagoa.
The project was met with joy from the students and teachers, who were grateful for the generosity, acknowledging the needs of the students and affirming the positive impact it would have on the children’s learning experience.
Particularly, the #ProjectSandals4Schools team was welcomed at CPS Onopa by HRH Tamamo Marris, Paramount ruler of Onopa Community in Yenagoa, who also expressed his gratitude to the team and encouraged the students to dream to do the same for their community in the near future.
#ProjectSandals4Schools team looks forward to their next outing in the state, where they will focus on other public schools in Bayelsa, and other parts of Nigeria.
In his remarks, Chike Donald Ibewuike, who did his national youth service in the state in 2022, thanked all who made donations for the project. “Your generosity has planted the seeds for a brighter future for these children. Thank you for putting sandals on the feet of young Bayelsa children, and books on their desks. Together, we are not just providing sandals and books; we are paving the way for a more educated and empowered generation. Our vision extends beyond Bayelsa; we aim to reach every corner of Nigeria where educational challenges persist. With your continued support, we believe we can make a lasting impact, one step at a time,” he stated.
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