Adisa Risikat Adeola, founder and coordinator of House of Rammah Foundation, HRF, and Chief Executive Officer Abeenicloset and Event Management speaks to OpenLife Nigeria Isaac Ngumah on her passion for the NGO
Why did you set up Ramah foundation, what inspired you?
House of Rammah Foundation is an NGO that helps out of school children and vulnerable children acquire the basic education through identifying, discovering their passion for education and registering them in government public schools.
I actually got inspired by the environment I found myself 7 years ago, the state of poverty and ignorance of some parents towards the education of their children.
I discovered some children especially the girl child are out of school, neither undergoing any form of vocational training. Simply because the parents are illiterate, ignorant or poor.
You just celebrated seventh year anniversary, how was it?
Yeah..7 years and still counting.
It was so impacting and memorable. We visited an orphanage in Osun state to donate some clothing and food items. We as well gave out food and financial empowerment to widows and elderly person.
When did you start thinking out of the box to reduce the number of out of school children in Nigeria?
The initiative to reduce the number of out of school children occurred years back,but I was able to actualized it 2013.
What are the sensitization program’s that you have for this children?
Back to school project: Comes up every 2nd week of a new academic term.
International book giving day: February 14. It is an annual project that enables us to support some pupils with books, uniform, stationeries and counsel them on the importance of education.
Majority of the out of school children are girl’s, how can government be of solutions to this?
The Government will be of great benefit and profer solution to the number of out of school children if they realized that we are no longer in the era of girls career ends in the kitchen. And begin to see the potentials and innovative ideas the girls child possessed.
In this period of covid-19 pandemic, what do you think government can do to reduce the rate of the number of out school children?
For Government to help reduce the number of out of school children during the pandemic as the number has increased drastically.
They need to do more sensitization at the grassroots level and encourage and provide resources for teachers in the community to help educate children on the street as they can access the internet and Books.
Also the government should provide palliative that will get to all household as most families lives on the little daily income.
For them to be movitated with reading during pandemic lockdown and still passionate about their education,food must surely be on their tables.
Since you started started this foundation, how many States have you visited so far to see how you can work out modalities to reduce the number of out school children?
We have visited Osun,Ogun and Lagos States respectively and we’ve been able to add positive values to the lives of the vulnerable.
Have you visited the northern part of Nigeria where you have most case’s of these problems?
We haven’t been to the northern part of the nation due to resources but hopefully soon.
What’s are your advice to the ministry of education and the federal government of Nigeria in handling this challenges?
My advice to the ministry of education and federal government is to make basic education accessible for all, to make this achievable,the government must provide financial support or release funds to help build more schools, classroom, toilet, provisions of water, and classroom furniture, school uniform and stationeries as most parents can’t afford to buy them.
Can you tell us about your experience in life?
My experience in life is basically to create a positive impact wherever you find yourself.
What are your life challenges?
My experience and challenges in running the foundation are quite life changing and as well a reason to move on. Simply because I am passionate about adding positive impact to my community and nation at large is the grace that kept me going to this moment.
What are the challenges running this foundation?
Running an NGO is quite challenging especially when you intend to do more and you’re reaching out to people around you, thinking they’ve same vision with yours.
How and where have you been able to get support to run your NGO?
God bless my wonderful family. They’re the number one support I’m getting in all my projects.
To some special creation that understand what it takes to be vulnerable and disadvantaged ,God bless their kind heart too.
We have been able to get support from family, friends and loved ones.
Has the government been able to render support to your organization?
Well, it’s a Non Governmental Organization, so I am not really expecting any support from the Government. But they should take up their responsibility and duty, listen to the cry and tears of the masses.
How do you meet the out of school children on the street?
Basically, when I started back then, we went on the streets for feasible study, we did our research, we interrogated and interviewed and pick the diligent out of school children.
But later, we were picking based on recommendation from guardian, family friends, neighbor etc
What plans do you have for those who are still on the streets?
Our plan and vision is for every child on the street should be literate and have access to basic needs of life.
Therefore we intend to register, counsel, mentor and tutor all out of school children on the street. May God provide us with resources In Jesus Name, Amen.
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