Our work in Nigeria
Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful tool you can use to change the world”.
Ihezie Foundation began its work in Nigeria initially, when Choice Textiles donated over 650,000 books to Imo State Nigeria in 2011 and 2012 as part of their corporate social responsibility project and they realised to develop this project further we could benefit from becoming a separate registered charity.
Anambra State Nigeria:
We are currently midway through a project to provide Anambra State Government, Nigeria, with one million educational books that are being distributed to over 1,300 schools in Anambra State. To date, We have donated half a million books to Anambra State. We are still in partnership with Professor. Kate Omenugha to complete this project
Our project was coordinated through meetings and communication with Dr. Nkem C. Okeke, the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, and Professor Kate Omenugha, the Commissioner of Education Anambra State. In working at a senior level within African State Government, we were able to ensure that the process of managing and distributing the books once they arrive in Nigeria is efficient and effective and that the books reached their intended destination.
Why do we need to do this - Education is vital if Africa is to thrive. Quality education resources are one of the keys to helping Africa become a thriving society, promoting tolerance and peace, innovation and advancement and positive sustainable growth.
Largely overcrowded classrooms with too few teachers are made worse by a chronic lack of books and teaching resources. Maths and science books and other teaching materials are virtually non-existent and the few books that schools do have mean that up to 20 children often have to share one book.
In Anambra State, Nigeria there are about 49.1 children for every primary school teacher and 62 pupils for every secondary school teacher and of all children in school, 80% do not have basic text books for key subjects. Instead, children rely on copying for the black board, teacher dictation and low cost leaflets that are generally poorly written and poorly produced. All children should have a basic right to education because without education, things cannot change.
Summary -
Books provide the foundation from which all children learn and gain knowledge, inspiration and motivation. Providing appropriate and sufficient books and learning materials enables children to access learning, to feel valued and to understand and recognise the link between education and positive change. Young people are the future of Africa and we need to equip them with the education they need so that they can make the change.
The difference this project is already making.
What difference will this project make - The lasting impact of high quality educational resources is enormous. Providing library books is critical to children's literacy development, as well as deepening their knowledge across a wide range of subjects.
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Economic growth – Education leads to greater job opportunities. No country in history has ever achieved continuous economic growth with less than 40% adult literacy rates.
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Higher wages – For every year of additional education, boys earn 10% higher wages and girls will earn 25%.
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Gender equality - Every year of maths learned, 62% of girls are more likely to start their own business as an adult. Increased wages for women to support their families leads to fewer child marriages and reduced child labour.
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Improved health – Education reduces childhood mortality rates, promotes smaller families with healthier children. Currently, 12.4% of children die before they reach five years old. Over 360,000 young people are living with HIV / AIDs but evidence shows that educated young people are 57% less likely to contract HIV
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Education transforms lives – Educated children are less likely to become victims of violence and abuse and they are more likely to invest in their own families and communities as adults. Educated children will ensure that their own children access education in the next generation.
Book presentations in Nigeria
Book presentations in Nigeria