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By Chukwuma Umeorah
Over 700 pupils across nine public primary schools in five communities in Bayelsa State have benefitted from the distribution of footwear and exercise books by Project Sandals4Schools, a non-governmental organisation.
The intervention, carried out recently in partnership with the Enibo Albert Foundation, saw 426 pupils receive properly fitted sandals, while about 700 students were given exercise books. The outreach also included the donation of about 300 books to support libraries in three schools.
Project Sandals4Schools was founded by former National Youth Service Corps members, Chike Donald Ibewuike and Kelechi Ndieze, during their service year in Bayelsa State. The initiative focuses on addressing basic challenges that affect school attendance and participation at the primary level.
“The difference between staying home and raising a hand in class can be as simple as footwear that fits and books to read and learn with. With Project Sandals4Schools, we’re removing tiny barriers that make a huge difference so children can arrive, belong, and thrive,” Ibewuike, project lead said.
The latest outreach represents an expansion from the project’s pilot phase in June 2024, when about 250 pupils in Yenagoa received sandals and exercise books. This time, the organisers extended support beyond the state capital to include rural communities.
According to the organisers, the project grew out of their Community Development Project during the 2022 service year, after they observed that many pupils attended school without footwear. An independent study conducted by the founders indicated that three in five children in parts of Yenagoa went to school barefoot.
Ndieze said collaboration with the Enibo Albert Foundation helped in identifying beneficiaries and reaching remote schools.
“The partnership with Enibo Albert Foundation allowed us to identify the most in-need pupils through head teachers and to navigate the logistical complexities of reaching schools in rural areas. It’s about building sustainable systems that ensure resources reach those who need them most,” he said.
Under the arrangement, head teachers prioritised pupils and documented items received to track beneficiaries, a process the organisers said was aimed at accountability.
Project Sandals4Schools relies on donor funding and in-kind contributions. The organisers said further outreach to other communities is being considered, subject to available resources.
