Tuition-Free Mission School with COFI and ICM

The commissioning of a tuition-free mission school in the Murbai Community, Taraba State, North-east Nigeria, under the auspices of the Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International (COFI) is part of the vision of founder Chris Oyakhilome for breaking the cycle of poverty.

With fewer resources and less of a focus on education at home, children growing up in poverty are disadvantaged from the start. Poverty and education are inextricably linked, because people living in poverty may stop going to school so they can work, which leaves them without literacy and numeracy skills they need to further their careers.

Link Between Poverty and Education

Studies have repeatedly shown a link between poverty and education. Through basic education, marginalized people learn more about health and are better able to protect themselves and their children against diseases. The level of health among children and young people improves if their parents have had an education. This in turn increases their likelihood of receiving, and benefiting from, an education.

In contribution to early childhood development, the InnerCity Mission for Children (ICM), under the umbrella of the Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International is set to commission a tuition-free Mission School in Murbai Community, Taraba State, North-East Nigeria, making this the 10th Mission School globally under the auspices of COFI.

What started as an intervention by our volunteers to bridge the gap of education for children in Murbai village whose education was abruptly cut short by the Boko Haram Insurgency, has brought hope and restoration for years to come. The effect of Boko Haram Insurgency in Northern Nigeria has been multifaceted and for too many, devastating, resulting in disruption of Education and Social Services across conflict areas especially North-East Nigeria. In response, the InnerCity Mission for Children, together with the Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International built and commissioned a tuition-free Mission School in Murbai Community, Taraba State, North-East Nigeria. It’s been an amazing journey thus far and we are gearing up to commission the 10th addition to the InnerCity Mission Network of Schools situated in Ewu community, Edo state. What a sweet relief it is for the families of these children as throughout their nursery and primary education, they would never have to worry about tuition fees and educational supplies.

As school begins in Murbai community, the pupils will receive breakfast and lunch every day all thanks to your partnership. School meals are known to make the children participate actively in class, and have a positive ripple effect to their home lives too. School meals are helping to keep indigent children in school, reducing absenteeism caused by hunger. Hunger is more than just having enough food to eat; it’s about having enough nutritious food to eat. At the Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International (COFI), we believe that the right to food is a basic human right.

The children were so happy to receive their new scholastic kit and are ready to begin their educational journey thanks to your partnership. We believe that investing in education is not just the right thing to do but the smart thing to do! This week, you can sponsor solar lamps to help our pupils study at night, school meals to help them stay attentive in class, or bicycles to help our teachers get to school on time. You can help take on sponsorship of school meals, for a day, a month, a school term, and for your desired number of children. Donate here today to make a difference.