Through its “School On The Street Initiative,” a non-governmental organisation based in Iyana Ilogbo, Ifo Local Government Area, Ogun State, has impacted the lives of children and families in the community by providing free educational services in the Esteem Academy Group of Schools and rescuing children from child labour.
Currently serving over 150 students through free tuition and education services, the school hopes to expand its enrollment to include students from outside the community and state.
Residents in the community expressed their delight and gratitude for the services provided by the school. Even though they were on vacation, many of the students flocked to the school to see the co-founder, Ms. Tobi Raji,
Diademng learned that, in addition to educational services, the school provides parents with counselling and financial assistance as needed. One of the residents who saw our correspondent said Raji was committed to the project and ran it with diligence.
“That lady (Tobi Raji) is faithful. She is a good lady who has never used her position to exploit or defraud those children. She manages the finances with integrity. “My wife and I just talked about her and what she’s doing for those kids this morning,” he said.
It was also discovered that the school had recently adopted a young girl who had been subjected to child labour.
Raji stated that donors have been supportive in funding the children’s dreams so far.
She said, “We have amazing people who have trusted us so much. At least some have been here. The building is rented, and we pay our volunteer teachers. We use to have 8, but now we have 10. We have a computer and music instructor, and a caregiver who doubles as the cleaner for the kindergarten class. We still have over 200 on our waiting list.
Our long-term vision is to have a landed property on which to build a school and shelter, where people can bring in rescued children from other states and neighbouring communities.
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