A non-governmental organisation based in Ibadan, Operation Educate a Child, has called on willing individuals and corporate bodies to support its short and long-term aspiration of providing quality education for orphans, by donating required teaching materials, learning aids and funds.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the organisation, Miss Adegoke Ebunoluwa, in an exclusive chat with News Express, said that the organisation was borne out of the need to give the fatherless and motherless children the opportunity to have quality education in the country. “Since there is no available fund to start up a school now, the best we have done was to rent an apartment, get exercise books, chalks, blackboards and markers to give them after-class tutorials. But these are not really enough, as we still need more.”

She categorised the requirement of her organisation into two parts: long-term and short-term needs. “The short-term needs include provision of textbooks, stationery, shelves, story books and so many other reading materials that will make up for a standard library.

“On the long-term needs, we are highly in need of a school facility for primary to secondary schools for orphans, and most especially teachers who could volunteer to be teaching these children in their various classes. We believe, by so doing, it will enhance their education and make them know what they need to know. We also need people who can be paying our teachers to teach these children.”

Asked about achievements recorded so far by the NGO, the CEO recalled: “We have started this journey since 2014. The success we have so far recorded is giving back to the society. Among the children, those who could not read and write among them are now picking up, as we are making serious efforts to ensure that.”

Miss Ebunoluwa noted that her relationship with the orphans goes beyond the classroom: “I even celebrate my birthday with them. This is because my philosophy is that instead of wasting money on frivolities with friends who already have enough to eat and drink, it is more rewarding to put a smile on the faces of the children who are less-privileged, besides supporting them with education too.”

She added: “I work with the Oyo State Government as a teacher. I believe I can equally bless these children with my gift of teaching. This is what we want most people to emulate in our society today. So, as it is, we need more teachers to volunteer. We would also appreciate members of the public to volunteer and make donations in cash and kind.”

•Photo shows Miss Ebunoluwa giving tutorials to the orphans, at the Galilee Land Foundation, along Adeoyo Hospital, Ibadan.