Caleb Ijioma
Titilayo Bisiriyu, a 300-Level student of the National Open University Nigeria (NOUN), has always been concerned about the growing epidemic of public school pupils in Lagos who are unable to afford a pair of shoes.
For these pupils, something as simple as a pair of shoes could be the difference between staying in school or dropping out.
Titilayo knew that something had to be done to address the problem, and she was determined to be a part of the solution.
Last month, she and her team took it upon themselves to make a difference by teaching public school pupils how to make and repair shoes. They spent three days teaching them the art of shoemaking, a skill that would not only help the students make shoes for themselves but also enable them to do it for others and serve as a source of livelihood for them.
“I discovered some public school pupils couldn’t afford ta pair of shoes to school. So my team and I volunteered to take them on a three-day training where I taught them the art of shoe-making. The training started on March 22 and ended on 24. During this period, we reached out to so many public schools in Lagos State,” she said.
Titilayo saw this as an opportunity to give back to her community and contribute to the development of a skilled workforce for the future. By such training, she hoped to reduce the burden on parents and provide a long-term solution to the problem.
“Although we had challenges with finances to supply the pupils with the materials, they needed for the project, that didn’t stop me from aiming for the goal.
“It is not about going to the class to lecture them; it is about the practical aspect. During practice, we need to get some materials to help them understand and learn faster,” she added.
On the impact of the project, she said: “This project is significant because the students were excited to learn and eager to put their newfound skills to use.
They were grateful for the opportunity to learn a skill that could transform their lives, and this made me delighted to see the positive change in their attitudes.”
According to Bisiriyu, the project was not just about teaching shoe-making skills; it was about giving hope to pupils and empowering them to take control of their lives.
“I enjoyed spending time with the pupils. I look forward to collaborating with brands and non governmental organisations on another opportunity shortly,” she said.