Hello friends, trust you are doing great?😘 Glad to hear from me again right?🤗
Today's post is centered on the current plight our young ones face due to a poor educational system that doesn't cater for their every need and doesn't see Education as an empowerment.
I belong to a Non-governmental organization called Purpose Ignition Initiative (PIGIN) here in my University. Her aim is centered mainly on purpose discovery and empowering youths for greatness. We recently started a book gifting project aimed at donating textbooks to over 300 secondary school students here in Nigeria. Our reason for this came to light when we noticed a sharp decline in quality grass root Education and through our carried out survey, we concluded that most school children no longer have the recommended textbooks for learning either due to the inadequacy of their parents financially and other factors which has led to poor reading habits. So, we decided to focus our action on this important but neglected factor thus, the BOOK GIFTING PROJECT.
According to PUNCH Newspaper publication(2019), over 60% of pupils in public schools lack access to books.
Imagine, only 20% of Nigerian children can read after primary school Education (PREMIUM TIMES,2018)
Sounds alarming right?😲
Sit tight, let me tell you a personal story about little Aminat.
Are you ready? 👀
# HOPE FOR AMINAT
Photocredit: Getty Images
Aminat's source of hope had been crushed just like that!. She lost both parents to a car accident the previous year and was taken in by her uncle Mr Ajala, her mother's brother; a very zealous business man who was into the sales of spare (motor) parts.
Aminat Darko; a bright 13-yr old student of the st. Mary's Government school lived with her parents in the environs of old oko-oba road. She was the only child of her parents and they provided her with every good thing of life. Aminat's love was reading and learning new things, her parents recognized this habit of their daughter and always bought her Educational books outside the recommended books for her class. She was in grade 6 and showed so much intelligence for a 13-yr old. However, the death of her parents brought about some new changes in her life as she had to change her school to one her Uncle could afford as Mr Ajala could not keep up with the bills and felt school of such standard was purely a waste of money.
Her zest for knowledge always pulled her to reading daily. She had always bragged to her parents that she would be one of Nigeria's finest lawyers. Her uncle could not bring himself to understand this aspect of Aminat's life as he always turned her down whenever she demanded for books. He was a man who had less regard for education and always made the statement of "what can a little girl possibly know"? And do with whatever books was given to her. He believed he was doing his best providing for her and paying her fees. This always made Aminat sad and worried.
Aminat's former private teacher who was employed by her late parents then in assisting their daughter with school assignments happened to see little Aminat one day on the street on her way to get something for her uncle; she noticed Aminat's gloomy look and plight. She later promised to introduce her to a book club very close to her new school Ewekoro Grammar School. Aminat was so happy and in no time she found solace there and soon, she became the assistant Librarian of the book club for her age group. This brought joy to Aminat and lifted her spirit but her uncle felt she was using this act to avoid running errands for him and believe she is better off at home doing house chores. He felt she was becoming invaluable to him and threatened her that if she continues this way, he would have no other option than to withdraw her from anything regarding the book club and Schooling in general. He most times beat poor Aminat anytime she comes home from the book cluba and with time, stopped her from going to school.
Meanwhile, Aminat was doing excellently well in her new school and was loved by all. She was highly intelligent and had even introduced her peers to the book club. It was so disheartening when her new friends at the book club heard her story so they came up with a plan of donating textbooks and reading novels to her weekly.
On one faithful day, Mr Ajala came home very bitter and angry because he was at the verge of loosing a business deal with an international partner. He didn't understand the business terms they used and this made him feel bad. He was at the verge of losing it and at this point, only an angel could save him. Aminat overheard his discussion with his wife Mrs Ajala and felt she could help. She approached her Uncle and carefully read the business agreement papers to him. She went ahead to explain the business terms to her Uncle who was shocked and disappointed at himself. He kept wondering where she knew all this in his head and finally summoned courage to ask. Aminat with a big smile on her face told him she read a book on business terms and agreement at her bookclub.
Mr. Ajala felt very bad for his wrong actions and promised to make amends. He went on to seal his business deal with his new client and this made him very happy. He later repented from his ways, enrolled Aminat in a better school and also made a huge donations to the book club.
This is just the beginning for Aminat...what about that child next door?
## What's next?
For the likes of Aminat and other kids out there who don't have the needed support and necessary books for school and are threatened when they show so much efforts to learning, we have to go the extra mile by making books accessible to these kids by donating specific books to them and this cannot be possible without your kind donations.
Help put a smile on little Aminat's face and others like her. Join us in contributing as little as #1000 ($2) in this fight to empowering our young ones and giving them a chance to live again.
Won't you rather save the world?
Oh well, its your turn to help make the world a better place. Enough with proffering solutions and folding our arms, lets together make the society a better place.
How does donating to make books available to help school kids make school worth attending sound?
As a purpose oriented NGO, we ask that you join to help 300 school kids get better education by donating.
To donate, please visit this link; https://pigin.org.ng/book-donation
Don't forget to donate, like, share and leave a comment if you need clarity.
I look forward to changing lives with y'all. cheers to saving the world🥂
Much Love😍
### REFERENCES:
https://punchng.com/60-of-pupils-in-public-schools-lack-access-to-books/
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/261106-20-nigerian-children-can-read-primary-school-world-bank.html