A group of 30 young adults, all under the age of 26, gathered together and decided to embark on a project of relevance and lasting influence. This led to the renovation of a junior high school, Aje Comprehensive High School, located in the heart of Yaba, Lagos.
The school was constructed in 1979 by the Jakande government with the aim of providing free education to Nigerian children but it has since been neglected (never renovated) and the physical conditions under which the pupils are tutored has deteriorated to a dreadful state. Classes were under-furnished and overcrowded, the buildings and foundation were rapidly giving way, roofs were feeble and worn, and walls had huge holes and patches all over! Whenever it rained, the school compound was flooded and their writing materials got soaked as water dripped constantly through the roofs.
The team was of the opinion that the kids deserve at the very least a conductive learning environment that does not threaten their health and lives, whilst encouraging commitment and innovation by them and their teachers. ‘To fulfill our vision we decided to assist in the restoration of the class rooms by renovating an entire wing of six classes. We wanted to bring hope to both the students and their teachers, hence our project was code-named “Project Hope”, said the team lead.
The team swung into fund raising action and within a month was able to raise Two Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N2, 500,000.00). Donations were received from individuals and companies. The project which was done in five phases was completed within six weeks and commissioned with the Permanent Secretary in charge of the education district and other Lagos state Education department officials in attendance.
Today, Aje Comprehensive High School is transformed into a learning center that has put hope and satisfaction in the lives of the teachers and students. Mission accomplished.
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