-Precious Ahiakwo-Ovie
I’m happy I now have some exercise books to write on and study with. I have been attending classes without any since the beginning of the term. Thank you Rotary!”
“I can now walk to and fro school, and play with my classmates, confidently with my new school shoes. The old one has worn out that I feel my feet on the floor as I walk. My parents can’t afford a new one. I’m glad to be among the beneficiaries. Thank you Rotary!”
These are emotional moments from some pupils of the Rivers State primary school Rumukrushi, in Obio/Alpor local government area who benefited from The Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Express Back to School and Basic Education and Literacy campaign in partnership with De Workbook Initiative and Eduplus foundation.
Free note books, pens and school shoes were donated to over two hundred primary and Nursery pupils in the school.
President of the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Express Rtn Alhaji Abdul Shittu while presenting the items to the pupils, under the club’s Back to School and Basic Education and Literacy campaign said the educational materials were donated to the students as a form of encouragement and support.
He said “This gesture is to assist the less privileged family who could not afford exercise books and school shoes for their wards in public schools. We believe this will create hope for the families and encourage the pupils not to give up on their educational pursuits. Together we are thriving hard towards changing lives and improving communities all over the world as we believe that the very spring and root of honesty and virtue lie in good education.”
On her part, CEO of De Workbook Initiative Yemisi Jetoluwa explained that “Many schools do not have enough materials or the proper kinds of materials to facilitate teaching and learning. A study found out that having a textbook increased children’s oral reading fluency by 9.6 words per minute. While materials alone cannot produce quality education, materials can play a significant role in enhancing the classroom environment. This is the reason why our Workbook Initiative is collaborating with Rotary to distribute these free books so as to quip these pupils so they can succeed.”
Service Project Chair of the Club Rtn IPP Chinedu Mbeye said Basic Education and Literacy is one of Rotary’s Seven Areas of Focus. “All the clubs under the Rotary International Organization are taking action to improve basic education and literacy in their communities. Every community has its own set of needs and different possibilities for service. These clubs all over the world are trying hard to identify actual needs and make the most possible impact with the time, energy, and resources available.”
Our correspondent reports that members of the Rotary club of Port Harcourt Express, including the Assistant governor zone 30, Ngozi Okwum, President of the RC PH Airfield Kelechi Ekezie, RC Evo Kingdom Provisional, led some pupils of the school to plant some economic trees in the school premises to improve their environment.
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