Great Dreamer Haven Foundation, a Non-governmental organization has provided school materials for over 100 school students in a slum community in Lagos.
The materials presented which are mainly school uniform socks and sandals was to commemorate the annual celebration of the international day of the girl child.
While presenting the materials, Co-founder and President of Great Dreamer Haven Foundation, Ms. Angela Itepu said the group is keen on seeing the female gender advance as a tool for societal reformation, adding that, “we believe that an education for a girl child translates to educating a nation.”
Itepu stressed that the initiative to support school girls with materials is borne out of the group’s interest to promote the education of the girl child.
She said, “statistics have shown that 1 out of 5 women, especially those residing in the slums are lucky to have access to funds for the education of their children. The effect of having fewer girls in schools would have long term consequences if nothing is done now to address that. Besides, this will further impact the ability of the female gender to make decisions on critical issues that affect their growth and well-being positively.
“Most women struggling with poverty in the slums believe that giving their children education should not be priority due to limited financial resources. However, they are convinced that by engaging them to hawk wares will give them an opportunity to be self-reliant and financially independent as they grow into adulthood.
“We believe that one educated child particularly the girl child can liberate the family from generational poverty, and in our own little way; we decided to give opportunity to the less privileged ones in our society,” Itepu said.
Discussing about the selection of the school, Itepu said, “while scouting for the underserved members in our community, we were informed about the work of Dream from the Slum and we paid them a visit in Ajegunle. What we saw was appalling. Seeing pupils without school uniforms studying in the slum in such deplorable condition in their numbers touched our soul.”
Reacting to the kind gesture of the group, Mr. Isaac Omoyele, the school proprietor and founder of Dream from The Slum appreciates Great Dreamer Haven Foundation for the support as the children would henceforth go to school in their school uniforms.