SSDO, ActionAid work to enhance education in rural communities in Enugu

The South Saharan Social Development Organization (SSDO) and ActionAid Nigeria have fashioned out a work plan to improve education in rural communities in Enugu State. The two Non-Governmental Organisations have decided to ensure that rural indigent children attend school notwithstanding their parents’ poverty or marginalised economic status. Speaking on the Child Education Sponsorship Initiative, the Programme Manager of SSDO’s Local Rights Programme, Miss Priye West, told newsmen on Sunday in Enugu that it targets indigent children between the ages of three and eight. According to West, research shows that over 90 million Nigerians live below the poverty line and a good percentage live in rural and marginalised communities. She said that these communities are characterised by poor access to education and healthcare, lack of infrastructure, and low income levels; adding that “this affects their standard of living and quality of life, of which kids are the biggest victims. “Understanding this reality, South Saharan Social Development Organization (SSDO), in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria, through the Local Rights Programme, is doing its part to improve education in marginalised communities. “The initiative (programme) aims to reduce poverty by increasing its engagement with the poor and marginalised in selected communities through its Child Sponsorship mechanisms. “The child education sponsorship initiative identifies vulnerable children, aged between three and eight years, and attaches them to sponsors,” she said. West revealed that over the past collection period, the team for the initiative collected over 740 child messages across eight communities in Enugu State. She said: “Our motivation is to see the children and the communities at large are all that they can be. “This activity allowed the team to keep tabs on the kids and monitor their development process. As well as get feedback from the kids to the sponsors,” she added.