By ALEXANDER AKHIGBE | PROJECT LEADER
The Recyclespay Educational Project has indeed come a long way from the catastrophic events of 2020.
Over 168 million children were left unable to attend school, the effects of which a large portion of this number still live with to date. The problems with access include but are not limited to funding, security, distance, teaching methods, and available infrastructure. Unfortunately, for a sub-Saharan country like Nigeria, these issues are further exacerbated as a result of corruption and terrorism, which is a trickle-down effect of poorly developed education systems.
For us at African Clean up Initiative, this project has continued to see iterations even while maintaining its core function, changing aspects of the project to get to hard-to-reach communities, engaging in teacher training and welfare options through the plastic exchange, and building a community of individuals interested in the development of the educational sector around different schools.
We do all these because the numbers are not in our favour, 258 million children and youth are out of school globally, according to UIS data for the school year ending in 2018. Nigeria's share in this figure is over 10 million. Without a doubt the effects of having such high numbers of children out of school is even more catastrophic, increase In theft, unemployment, terrorism etc. are some of the results.
That is why we are more than ever committed to improving access, encouraging a conversation around the problem, building communities of individuals for different school establishments and ensuring that no child is left behind.
We cannot do this alone, nor have we been able to support over 180 children in the last three years alone. You have been a part of this journey, and now more than ever, we need your help to write better stories for these children's future.
Education requires heavy investment. As a nation cannot withdraw from emptiness, only education will ensure we groom citizens that are filled with the resources the country needs to grow.With inflation at an all-time high, it affects the lives of these children, we have more children going to school without breakfast, we have children not being able to afford the commute to school, more children are walking, more children are starving; and more children are being failed by a system that is supposed to put them first.
From March 2020 to June 2022, data shows we recovered over 16,779.21kg of recyclable waste, which have all been exchanged for access, safety, and inclusion in schools across Nigeria.
We are committed to not failing our present and future, which is why we call on our global donors to support, reach out and suggest more ways to deliver on this promise in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible.
You, our GlobalGiving community, have been wonderful so far. We cherish and appreciate your contribution to changing lives.
Let's take this commitment further.
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