Strengthen 100 Vulnerable Households in Calabar

Executive Summary

Between April 1st and June 30th, 2026, the Professor Charles Effiong Foundation (PCEF) continued implementing strategic interventions aimed at improving access to education, strengthening sponsor-child relationships, and promoting the overall wellbeing of orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) enrolled in its Educational Support Programme.

During the reporting period, the Foundation successfully paid school fees for 50 children (31 male, 19 female) across 13 schools in Cross River State, comprising 6 schools in Calabar Municipality Local Government Area, 5 schools in Calabar South Local Government Area, and 2 schools in Akamkpa Local Government Area. This intervention ensured uninterrupted school attendance and supported the academic continuity of beneficiary children.

In June 2026, the Foundation also conducted a Kids and Adolescents Club Meeting involving 35 children (20 male, 15 female) at Government Secondary School, Barracks Road, Calabar and Saint Michael's Primary School, Oban. The meeting focused on a sponsor letter-writing activity that provided children with an opportunity to communicate directly with their sponsors by sharing updates on their education, achievements, aspirations, and appreciation for the support received.

Regular school monitoring visits were also conducted throughout the quarter to assess children's academic performance and welfare. Feedback from teachers and caregivers indicated improved school attendance, positive classroom participation, and encouraging academic progress among most beneficiaries. Senior Secondary School students also received encouragement and moral support while participating in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC).

Collectively, these interventions contributed to improved educational participation, strengthened accountability to sponsors, enhanced children's communication skills, and reinforced the Foundation's commitment to holistic child development.

Introduction

This report presents a summary of activities implemented by the Professor Charles Effiong Foundation during the period April–June 2026 under Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Education Support Programme.

The Foundation remains committed to improving the lives of vulnerable children through interventions that promote educational access, psychosocial wellbeing, child participation, and sponsor engagement. During the reporting period, activities focused primarily on educational support through school fees payment and academic monitoring, as well as strengthening sponsor-child relationships through the Kids and Adolescents Club Meeting.

These interventions reflect the Foundation's continued commitment to ensuring that children remain in school, develop confidence and life skills, and maintain meaningful communication with their sponsors.

Program Implementation and Activities

During the reporting period, the Foundation implemented coordinated interventions aimed at strengthening educational outcomes and promoting the overall wellbeing of beneficiary children.

Educational support remained a major priority during the quarter. The Foundation successfully facilitated the payment of school fees for 50 children (31 male and 19 female) attending 13 schools across Cross River State, comprising 6 schools in Calabar Municipality Local Government Area, 5 schools in Calabar South Local Government Area, and 2 schools in Akamkpa Local Government Area. Timely payment of school fees enabled children to continue their education without interruption and reduced the likelihood of absenteeism due to finanial constraints.

To complement the educational support provided, programme staff conducted routine school monitoring visits and engaged with teachers, caregivers, and school administrators to assess the academic progress and welfare of supported children. Feedback obtained during these visits showed that most beneficiaries maintained regular school attendance, demonstrated improved participation in classroom activities, and displayed positive attitudes toward learning. Several children recorded noticeable improvements in their academic performance, while a few were identified as requiring additional academic support, supervision, and encouragement.

The Foundation also closely monitored Senior Secondary School beneficiaries participating in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WAEC). Programme staff provided continuous encouragement and moral support to help candidates remain focused and confident throughout the examination period.

In June 2026, the Foundation organized a Kids and Adolescents Club Meeting at Government Secondary School, Barracks Road, Calabar, and Saint Michael's Primary School, Oban. A total of 35 children and adolescents (20 male and 15 female) participated in the activity.

The highlight of the meeting was a sponsor letter-writing exercise designed to strengthen communication between sponsored children and their sponsors. Children were provided with sponsor letter sheets, pens, and writing guides, and were encouraged to write about their educational progress and appreciation for the support they receive from their sponsors.

Programme staff guided participants throughout the exercise while ensuring that every letter reflected the child's own thoughts and experiences. Younger children and those with limited literacy skills received individualized support to enable them to complete their letters successfully without compromising their personal expression.

Following the exercise, all letters were reviewed for completeness, clarity, and appropriateness before compilation for submission to sponsors. The activity successfully strengthened sponsor-child relationships while promoting children's confidence, communication skills, and self-expression.

Key Outcomes and Impact

The sponsor letter-writing activity strengthened communication between sponsors and children by providing meaningful updates on children's educational progress, achievements, and aspirations. The exercise also enhanced children's confidence, literacy, and written communication skills while promoting active child participation.

Timely payment of school fees ensured uninterrupted access to education for all supported children and contributed to sustained school attendance across beneficiary schools. Academic monitoring visits demonstrated encouraging improvements in classroom participation, discipline, and learning outcomes among many children.

School visits strengthened collaboration between the Foundation, caregivers, teachers, and school administrators, allowing programme staff to identify children requiring additional academic support and respond appropriately. Overall, the interventions reinforced accountability, child protection, and the Foundation's commitment to holistic child development.

Conclusion

The reporting period of April 1 to June 30, 2026, demonstrates the Professor Charles Effiong Foundation's continued commitment to improving the educational opportunities and overall wellbeing of orphaned and vulnerable children.

Through timely payment of school fees, regular academic monitoring, and the successful implementation of the Kids and Adolescents Club Meeting, the Foundation ensured that children remained engaged in their education while strengthening relationships between sponsors and the children they support.

Although some beneficiaries continue to require additional academic assistance and learning materials, the progress recorded during the quarter reflects the positive impact of the Foundation's integrated educational support programme.

The pictures attached to this report were taken during the activities described, and consent was kindly obtained from all participants. We are pleased to share these moments as a reflection of the engagement, learning, and continued progress of the children supported by the Foundation.

Next Steps

During the next reporting period, the Professor Charles Effiong Foundation will continue to strengthen its educational support programme by sustaining timely school fees payment, conducting regular school monitoring visits, and expanding opportunities for psychosocial development and child participation.

The Foundation also plans to continue organizing Kids and Adolescents Club Meetings, including sponsor letter-writing activities, to strengthen communication between sponsors and beneficiary children. Additional attention will be given to supporting children who require academic improvement through closer monitoring and collaboration with caregivers and teachers.

Recognizing the educational needs identified during the reporting period, the Foundation will also seek resources to provide essential learning materials such as exercise books, pens, and pencils to children in need and funding opportunities to expand support for orphaned and vulnerable children.

Reported by

Blessing Udoh

Project  Assistant