In a heartwarming initiative to welcome children back to school after a long break, the GoldHeart Foundation, in partnership with the Barr. Adebola Oba Initiative, has distributed 25 new school uniforms to 13 girls and 12 boys at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic N/P School in Irona, Ado-Ekiti.
The Executive Director of GoldHeart Foundation for Teens & Orphans, Moyinoluwa Ogundowole, emphasized the critical role of quality education and essential school supplies in a child’s learning journey.
According to her, “Without the right school materials, there’s no way a child can learn effectively. Many of the children served by this program live with caregivers, and some do not even know what their children look like when they leave home in the morning.
“During our baseline assessment, we discovered that many children’s uniforms were poor, which can negatively impact their self-esteem. This revelation motivated us as an organization to provide new uniforms as the school year resumes.”
The Executive Director expressed gratitude to the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) for facilitating the process.
Additionally, she stated that earlier this week, they had enrolled 12 children across six different schools in Iyin-Ekiti and Igede-Ekiti, encompassing both primary and secondary levels.
Mrs. Babalola, the headmistress of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic N/P School, praised the efforts of the GoldHeart Foundation and Barr. Adebola Oba Initiative in promoting community development, particularly for the children of Irona.
She noted that while one beneficiary was not present at school, the new uniform was safely kept for him, ensuring that vulnerable children identified in the community received the support they needed.
The atmosphere was filled with excitement as beneficiaries and their parents witnessed the students donning their new uniforms. One young beneficiary expressed heartfelt gratitude, sharing that he lives with his grandmother, who struggles to provide for him. “This will reduce the burden on my grandma,” he said, offering prayers of thanks to the organizations involved.
Adebola Oba reiterated the commitment to supporting children in the community, stating, “This is our contribution to the children of society, and we will continue to do our best to ensure they enjoy access to basic needs and education as fundamental rights.”
The NGOs noted that this initiative not only provides essential school supplies but also promotes a sense of dignity and belonging among the pupils, reinforcing the importance of community support in their educational journeys.
