Help Africa Initiatives (HAI), a non-governmental organization (NGO), impacted education and healthcare in communities along the Lagos Lagoon by providing textbooks and other educational supplies to primary and secondary school students.
The NGO also carried out a comprehensive medical outreach programme.
In a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday, HAI said medical outreach and distribution of textbooks and educational supplies were carried out in several schools and cities between October 14 and 24.
Founded in 2012, HAI focuses on supporting humanity through health initiatives, education, shelter, food supply, orphanage support and other humanitarian services.
According to the statement, the recent outreach and donation activities were part of HAI's ongoing 'Lagos Lagoon Climate Response' project, which aims to support rural communities along the Lagos Lagoon affected by climate change. .
HAI carried out the project with Eyes of a Lagos Boy, Healthinika, Mitimeth, Ecolearn.ng, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and with the support of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
HAI revealed that more than 800 students from primary and secondary schools in Saga, Ejirin and Oriba (Epe communities) received textbooks and other essential educational materials.
Article page with financial support promotion
To improve access to education, students of Ejirin, Oriba and Lofi Ogunmude Comprehensive College in Ejirin, Saga and surrounding villages were provided with books on basic sciences, mathematics, English, agricultural sciences, civics, biology, dictionaries and workbooks .
The Elejirin of Ejirin, Rafiu Ishola Balogun, commended the efforts of HAI and encouraged students of Lofi Ogunmude Comprehensive College to read and study the donated books, urging them to follow the instructions of their teachers.
He reminded them: “Among you there are governors, ministers and presidents.”
Health Disclosure
In addition, HAI conducted health screenings and provided essential medicines to Epe residents.
During health outreach, HAI educates pregnant women, young people and the elderly about common diseases in their communities and preventive measures.
Led by Tuyi Mebawondu, the medical team reached over a thousand residents, making critical health interventions and referrals to address gaps in public health access.
HAI further announced that the project will continue until March 2025, with additional targeted health initiatives planned.
“With the expected end of the rainy season, many women in these communities are already drying water hyacinths to braid them and turn them into raw materials.
“With great attention, they followed the instructions of Achenyo Idachaba Obaro of Mitimeth, who began training sessions that will last for the next three months on how to convert the rogue seaweed into valuable economic products,” the NGO said.
HAI Project Coordinator, Bolaji Alonge, revealed that the organization has been engaged with Epe communities since 2018.
“We have been working alongside the coastal communities of Epe since 2018,” Alonge said. “Today we are united, implementing this project as partners with community members, jointly addressing their pressing concerns.”
Climate action
HAI, in collaboration with its partner Ecolearn.ng, also led a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) initiative focused on climate change in communities.
Through community-level discussions and lectures at school assemblies, HAI and Ecolearn.ng promote topics such as transforming waste into wealth and encouraging better local sanitation and water management practices.
According to Alonge, HAI employs a comprehensive approach to sustainable development to create jobs, positively impact children in public schools, and support public health services in these communities.
The project coordinator said: “Did you know that Ayomide Bello, Nigeria's first Olympic flatwater canoeist and Tokyo 2020 participant, is from Saga village? This corner of Lagos is brimming with talent. Two of the three communities, Oriba and Saga, can only be accessed by boat.”
Meanwhile, Sanne Chipeta, representing the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended the book donation event, the school assembly and the health checks held in Ejirin on October 16.
He expressed enthusiasm for the initiatives, highlighting their potential positive impact on the community.
He noted that the embassy's current project aims to drive improvements in four key areas.
He said the first objective was to create better livelihoods by exploring innovative uses for water hyacinth, transforming it from a local nuisance to a valuable resource.
Additionally, Mrs. Chipeta emphasized the importance of health literacy, specifically in disease prevention, along with better education through better access to teaching materials.
He said the project also seeks to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change and continually document conditions within the community.
He said these efforts aim to advocate for greater attention to community needs and support the development of resilience to climate change.
Mrs Chipeta said: “I am pleased to be invited to be here today to witness the launch of some of the activities. The support we can provide here now is modest and we are fully aware that a real and lasting impact on improving living conditions in these coastal communities will require much more than this project.
READ ALSO: Inability to access credit traps farmers in poverty in rural communities in Abuja
“I also want to thank other partners for participating in these efforts. We greatly appreciate the joining of hands to begin working towards the goal of improving the living conditions and resilience of communities in this area, and I will urge all parties, community members in particular, to continue to think seriously and with creativity in developing innovative solutions towards the common goal now and in the future.”
HAI stated that before the project concludes in March 2025, the team and partners will visit these communities monthly to monitor progress and interact with residents.
The NGO added that additional school assemblies will encourage collective learning and brainstorming sessions on climate change, critical thinking and creative writing.
According to HAI, an exhibition focusing on Epe and its coastal communities is planned for April 2025 to showcase the progress and achievements of the project.