Support 50 Vulnerable Children in Calabar

SUPPORT 50 VULNERABLE CHILDREN NOVEMBER, 2020 REPORT

The Professor Charles Effiong Foundation is currently supporting thirty (30) children in this project through the payment of school/tuition fees, provision of school materials (such as text and note books, school uniforms, sandals), school visits, school performance assessments, and psychosocial support.

In the quarter under review, a greater part of the quarter was spent at home by the children as schools were not open due to the COVID-19 pandemic response to curb the spread of the virus. However several activities were undertaken by the Foundation to still provide educational support to the children. This services were conducted using Home Visit as a strategy. Here, the households of the children were visited by the Foundation Team and current information concerning resumption of schools were provided, encouragement of children to engage reading of textbooks, career counselling and subject combination. Caregivers were also not left out as they were encourage to engage children in home lessons provided in the community (while adhering to COVID-19 prevention measures) and provide necessary support towards their children’s education.

Also during the visits, caregivers and children were re-sensitized on the mode of transmission the Corona Virus as well as appropriate preventive measures. They were also asked not to adhere to any other measure mentioned by other sources other than appropriate health authorities as preventive measures against COVID-19. Beneficiaries were also taken through hand washing practices during visits.

In September 2020, with support from the Foundation six (6) children had sat for the West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination as directed by the Federal Government. These examinations were conducted while adhering to the COVID-19 prevention guidelines. In October, the government of Cross River State, instructed the re-opening of school while adhering to COVID-19 prevention guidelines. The schools reopened with students beginning a new session (2020/2021).

The PCEF team conducted school visits to assess children’s attendance and performance in schools. This visits showed revealed that children were present in school and receiving lessons. Some interactions with the teachers revealed that the children were happy to return to school, although there is a lot to be done.

The next activities to be conducted is the payment of children school/tuition fees and provision of some school material for the new term/session.

Thank you for your continuous support which has been responsible for propelling the Foundation’s capacity in the provision these services to children in vulnerable households.

Edidiong David

Programme Manager