A leading non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting quality and inclusive education for children, OneAfricanChild Foundation, has reeled out achievements in celebration of its 10th anniversary.
Over the years, the foundation has remain committed to promoting education in low-income communities in Nigeria through global citizenship and peace education programs.
To commemorate its 10th anniversary, the foundation outlined series of events and initiatives, including 100 stories of impact, creative learning centre unveiling at the Gaa-Alanu community of Kwara State, Nigeria and the Global Scholarship Program initiative.
Established November 20, a statement by the foundation said: “Through experiential learning programs, OneAfricanChild Foundation supports learners from diverse backgrounds with tools and resources to explore their creativity and develop capacity to reach their full potential.
“Training programs led by the organization are designed to be participatory and learner-centered making it possible for students to acquire skills to become critical thinkers and problem solvers.
“Since 2013, OneAfricanChild has moved from reaching two children to impacting over 50,000 learners, equipping them with skills relevant to life and the future of work. Eighty percent of its learners have shown a success rate in their academics, obtaining admission to pursue higher education in Nigeria and abroad.
“Beneficiaries of its programs have established initiatives to tackle complex problems and are actively engaged as change agents in their communities.
“Since its inception in November 2013, OneAfricanChild Foundation has worked to bridge educational gaps by supporting learners (ages 5-18) with tools and resources to reach their full potential. These projects are championed by the organization’s global community of volunteer members from Nigeria, Kenya, Benin Republic. These efforts have created a ripple effect through the years impacting over 50,000 learners with capacity building, mentorship and community engagement.
“OneAfricanChild Foundation has been recognized by global institutions such as UNESCO, the World Bank, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Education Above All (EAA) and several others as a result of its contribution to education and youth development.”
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The Founder, Ms Victoria Ibiwoye while speaking on the inspiration behind the organization said: “My mother was the driving force behind OneAfricanChild
“As early as I can remember, I have observed her show boundless kindness and compassion for those in need.
“I am blessed that because of her, I had the courage to start OneAfricanChild; an organization that has brought hope and inspiration to thousands of children and youth, giving them the torch to discover their paths to success.”
The Executive Director, Mr Olumuyiwa Kotila also described his experience of collaborating with other youth changemakers as “a symphony of collaboration, motivation, and teamwork”
Expressing his gratitude to the entire community for its continuous engagement to ensure all African children have access to quality education.
Also, members of the youth-led organisation described their experience as life-changing, fostering empathetic leadership and promoting a culture of peace and active citizenship.
One of the organization’s most notable achievements is the establishment of the Graduate School support group in 2021.
This initiative was aimed at assisting individuals interested in pursuing graduate education, scholarships, and funding opportunities to turn their dreams into reality. Through a combination of webinars, resource sharing as well as one-on-one support, we have managed to secure fully-funded scholarships for members of the group, raising over $850,000 in funding.
Meanwhile, the foundation is also launching the “100 Stories of Impact” report to shine a spotlight on the profound impact it has achieved throughout the years.
It said: “For the past two years, OneAfricanChild has advocated and worked to build a creative learning center in the Gaa-Alanu community of Kwara State, Nigeria. This significant initiative was born out of the urgent need for quality education in an area where learning has halted due to a lack of infrastructure and worsened as a result of COVID-19.
“Gaa Alaanu is a remote community in Malete, Kwara State, inhabited by an average population of about 500 adults and children, faced educational challenges, primarily stemming from a lack of competent educators and conducive learning environments.
“In response to this pressing need, OneAfricanChild Foundation embarked on a mission to build a school. This initiative comprised the construction of two classroom blocks, with the overarching objective of providing a nurturing and conducive learning environment for the children of Gaa Alanu.
“The motivation behind this initiative is rooted in OneAfricanChild’s belief that education transforms lives and investing their education, is investing in their local community and country. This conviction fuels our passion to undertake this groundbreaking project with the support of our youth volunteers, partners, and sponsors.”