By Uzor Odigbo
The 14th edition of the Annual JAKIN NGO “Dress a Child for School” project was held on Friday, Sept 8th 2023 in Lagos.
It was first organised in 2010 to mark the UNESCO-proclaimed International Literacy Day.
This year’s edition was themed, “Promoting Literacy for a World in Transition: Building the Foundation for Sustainable and Peaceful Society”
Accordingly to the convener Mrs Adeniyi Olubukola in her address said that since the inception of the project, over 7500 orphans and vulnerable children across several LGAs in Lagos and Ogun State have benefited from the programme by receiving annual, school uniforms, bags, two pairs of socks, pair of sandals, a dozen of exercise books, Mathematical sets, a branded Pencil case containing Biro, pencil eraser, sharpeners and rulers each.
From Two hundred children that benefited from its first edition, the project now provides for school kids to an average of 1000 vulnerable children that benefit today.
Also, 44 primary schools, 24 junior schools and 29 senior secondary schools from 8 Lagos LGAs, and two Ogun State LGAs are beneficiaries of this laudable programme.
The impact, she noted, has attracted 10 awards, especially from the Lagos state government office of the Governor, the Ministry of Education and the Mainland LGA education authority.
She expressed her gratitude to Faith-based organisations and Businesses who are sponsors and partners of the project, advising children to stay focused on their academics.
In closing, one of the pupils passionately thanked Mrs. Olubukola for her patriotic gesture for indigent children and prayed for more partners for the project.
She however appealed for more sponsors and partners to join her in stamping out illiteracy in the country with their widow’s mite sponsorships.
The yearly programme attracted School Children, Parents, NGOs, teachers and partners across Lagos and Ogun States