Build a future for children in a conflict zone

Objective

To improve the quality of children’s Education in the Southwest region

ReachOut NGO is happy to share with you the report for December to early February 2024. The report covers our activities with Mah Di’s Christian Bilingual Nursery and Primary School (CBNPS) in Kumba and Hope Alive Foundation (HAF) Charity School in Tiko. 

 December was a period characterized by examination where the children excelled so well, as there was a great improvement in their performance this term. There was an increase in the pupil's performance by 10% this term as per the statistics we received from both schools. Another activity that kept these children busy during this period was the preparation for the Christmas party where they celebrated the birth of Christ in both schools the children went back home feeling so excited as they were allowed to showcase their talent. Those who performed so well academically were given prizes at the end of the term as a way to encourage others to study hard so they also received their gifts too. Children were involved in activities such as singing, dancing, debate ballet, acting, quizzes, and parades. These activities are geared towards preparing the children for the future as the activity shows case what children are best at.  These activities also help guide parents toward their children's careers part. The children were given two weeks Christmas breaks, the Second term academic year started on January 3^rd, 2024 which went on successfully as all the children were back in school and activities were moving well.  By the mid-end of January, the school children of both schools joined their other friends for the youth week activities which were geared towards the celebration of National Youth Day. They joined in sporting activities such as hand boys and girls, football girls, and boys, and Hope Alive won overall 3^rd position out of the 20 schools present in the whole of Mungo East. But the term was disrupted with a week lockdown imposed by the non-state armed group as children could not celebrate the youth day like their other friends.

Mah Di’s Christian Bilingual Nursery and Primary School (CBNPS) registered a total enrolment of 200 pupils comprising 105 boys and 95 girls. This enrolment is made up of 45% IDPs (displaced from other communities), 18% returnees (previously displaced children from the host communities who have come back to the community), and 37% of community children (those who have never been displaced and orphans). For Hope Alive Foundation, a total enrolment of 170 children (80 boys and 90 girls) has been registered with 35% of the total being IDPs. These statistics show the population of the schools keeps increasing

The Project team from Reach Out will continue with the payment of  monthly stipend for two teachers  each in both schools.

Both schools continue to face challenges that include a shortage of teachers, the need to support the schools with gifts which could serves as motivations to the children in school, they schools are also in need of meals to be given to children in school even once a week, as most children always look so hungry after the break given to them in school. Some children even come to school on an empty stomach which makes their performance very poor and the need for a more permanent structure with bigger classrooms especially for HAF which is experiencing increasing enrolment each academic year. 

As always, Reach Out is grateful to our donors for their continuous support and selfless donations which are keeping these schools running. 

Find below a few pictures for this academic year from the school Hope Alive Foundation