In Imo State today, about 45% of children are either out of school or hawking on the streets. That’s nearly one in every two children—missing out on quality education and childhood.
Since the year 2020, Imo has faced crisis after crisis: violence, displacement, economic hardship. Schools shut down. Families are struggling to survive, and education has become a casualty.
Children who should be in classrooms are now hawking sachet water, fruits, and groundnuts—just to survive.
The government says education is free. But what does “free” mean when a child has no books, no uniform, no sandals, no school bag? How do you show up to school when you have nothing to show up with?
Let’s be real, learning doesn’t happen when a child feels invisible. Without basic materials, learning becomes uninteresting.
We’ve seen it firsthand. Children with bright minds and big dreams, stuck selling sachet water just to feed. Not because they don’t want to learn, but because they simply can’t afford to.
This is why we’re doing something about it. We’re launching the biggest ‘Back to School’ Project ever led by a non-governmental group in Imo State.
Our goal is bold but simple: send 500 children from poor, rural communities back to school this September—with dignity, with hope, and with the tools they need to thrive.
Is this an easy task? No. But is it necessary? yes!
Because no child should suffer because the system failed them. Because communities must rise when governments fall short.
We’re not doing this for recognition. We’re doing it because we’ve looked into the eyes of these children—and seen hunger. Not just for food, but for opportunity.
But we can’t do it alone. We need you. We need your support. Please donate to buy a full Back to School kit for a child today. Or sponsor individual items in the kit—every pencil, every notebook, every sandal makes a difference.
Even if you can’t donate financially, you can still help. You can share this message. You can refer us to someone who can support us. You can donate school materials. You can volunteer your time.
Nothing is too small. Every act of support means the world to us—and to these children.
Kindly send your support through:
- Bank Name: Fidelity Bank
- Account name: Centre for Social Awareness, Advocacy and Ethics (CSAAE)
- Account number: 4011189500
To Donate in USD ($)
- CHEQUE
- Please make a cheque to: CSAAE
- Mailing Address: C/O Patrick Nwakama 9468 Joppa Pond Road Baltimore, MD 21234
- ZELLE
- payments@csaaeinc.org
We all want change, but it’s “easier” to wait for change than to be the change. Real heroes are those who make change happen. Let’s be the change.
If you’d like to reach out for partnership or further support, kindly send us a message via cedu@csaaeinc.org today.
You can also visit cedu.csaaeinc.org to see more of our bold projects and initiatives to advance quality and affordable education in Nigeria.