The provision of tuition-free education and two daily meals to underprivileged children in Makoko by young January Wheduto has resulted in a surge of enrollment that may impede the program's success due to a lack of space.
Two years ago, Vanguard Learning reported on this 23-year-old and his team's dedication to providing free education and meals to over 140 students. This story attracted the attention of various NGOs and well-meaning Nigerians, resulting in donations in cash and kindness to the school.
Among the items donated were school materials, canoes, and even hosting school parties for the children, among others. Some donors provided a borehole that serves the children and the community, a generator, and canoes that allow 26 pupils who attend secondary schools on the Mainland, to move to and fro the community.
Mipamuwu Children's Development Foundation (MCDF), formerly known as Divine Children's School, became famous for its benevolent deeds. As a result, many parents in the riverine community who previously denied their children access to basic education due to financial constraints began to flock to the school, knowing that their children would not only receive formal education but also be given breakfast and lunch to survive the harsh economic climate in the country.
However, within two years of the story about the school, enrollment of children increased from 147 to 385 with limited resources, and above all, space to accommodate these youngsters.
In an interview with our correspondent, Wheduto stated "We are happy to see our parents, who do not appreciate education, now wanting their children to come to school. This is because we operate free education, where the children are given free books, pencils, pens, bags, and shoes, and also uniforms, among others.
This is because we provide some of them with transportation to and from the school. However, the thing that excites our parents is the free breakfast and lunch we give the children daily, from Monday to Friday. All these are possible through self-funding and donations from NGOs and other kind-hearted people."
Wheduto shared the challenges faced by the school, stating "Our appreciation goes to Elizabeth Osayande of Vanguard Media Limited, who first wrote about us for the world to see what we do. We are, however, very constrained to continue doing what we love, which is providing Makoko children with access to free basic education.
Presently, here is the breakdown of the children in their classes. For KG 1 and KG 2, we have 164. Nursery 1 and 2, 85 pupils; Basic one, 36, and Basic two, 28. Others are Basic Three and Basic Four, with 32 and 24 pupils, respectively. And for the last class, Basic five, they are 15."
Wheduto emphasized the need for support, stating "Our school has been providing comprehensive quality education to pupils from different backgrounds. The school has earned a top reputation for treating all students equally irrespective of their backgrounds and guiding them towards a bright future.
The school has been providing free meals for the children. Due to limited classrooms, we joined two classrooms together, and we are unable to take more children interested in joining our institution.
Our school management committee suggests constructing six (6) classrooms to serve the purpose. Our school needs your support to achieve this. The construction will cost a total of N21,895,500.
"The above cost will cover the sand-filling of the building site, furnishings that include chairs and desks, and other stationery.
We are, therefore, hopeful to receive financial and other support from humanitarian organizations, NGOs, esteemed institutions, and companies. Our firm belief is that no child, especially from the slum, should be denied access to basic education due to finance or distance."
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