This year’s Welcome Back to School project by Rotary and Rotaract Club of Akowonjo stands out as the club chose beneficiary schools different from previous years – African Church Primary School, Akowonjo,
Akowonjo Primary School, Akowonjo, Rauf Aregbesola Primary School, Shasha Akowonjo and Abati Primary School, Shasha Akowonjo, Lagos. The project reflects the club’s commitment to giving back to the community through promoting education.
- Inspiration Behind the Project
The Back-to-School Project is a yearly routine for Rotary and Rotaract Club of Akowonjo, driven by key motivations:
- Promoting Education:
Rotary and Rotaract Club of Akowonjo focuses on promoting education and literacy.
- Community Impact:
Aiming for positive differences in the community, helping students access schooling resources.
- Addressing Needs:
Identifying needs like school supplies, uniforms, and books to alleviate family burdens.
- Rotary’s Areas of Focus:
Aligns with Rotary International’s focus on supporting education and literacy.
- Selection of Beneficiaries
In selecting the beneficiaries, we carried out both needs assessment and community engagement as well as members’ assessments review
- Needs Assessment:
Schools are selected based on club-conducted needs assessments before the Rotary year begins.
- Community Engagement:
Engagement with schools and community organisations helps understand needs and identify beneficiaries.
- Challenges Faced:
Some of the challenges faced during this project are as follows:
- Funding and Resource Constraints:
The project had a budget of N10.5 million; N2 million was raised in cash and donations combined.
- Time Management:
Balancing timelines with multiple stakeholders’ responsibilities.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Coordination with sponsors, schools, and community members requires effective communication.
- Logistical Challenges:
Distributing donated items like books, biros, and socks posed difficulties.
- Meeting Expectations:
Pressure to meet expectations post-needs assessments.
- Measuring Success and Impact
The project aims to impact students and ease parents’ stress regarding essential school resources.
- Student Reach and Engagement:
Last year reached about 400 students; this year, over 500 pupils with plans for more.
- Resource Utilization:
Tracking distribution and usage of donated items.
- Cost Efficiency:
The cost per student served assesses resource utilization.
- Stakeholder Satisfaction:
Feedback from students, parents, teachers, and sponsors.
- Academic Performance:
Anticipating changes in grades and attendance post-intervention.
Appreciation
Rotary and Rotaract Club of Akowonjo extends gratitude to members and partners, including City People, AG Mortgage Bank, Smartxpress Energy, Double Plus Prints, Imperial, Jhalobia, JJ PACKAGING, Mosope Adefuye Foundation, Danielle Chambers, Pastor & Mrs Olumuyiwa Olu-Ayeni, Benco Color, CI Luxe Homes, Arthur Tyres Enterprise, Mr Ciroma Adoche for their support.
