Oando Foundation (OF), an independent charity with a mission to create
conducive learning environments in dilapidated public primary schools in
Nigeria, has partnered with Fashion Vie, New York to raise funds towards the
education of the Nigerian ‘girl child’.
The event held on Thursday, 14 September, 2017.
The Foundation was selected as the first beneficiary from Africa to
receive proceeds from THE DREAM: FALL 2017 BENEFIT FASHION SHOW AND
SILENT AUCTION where it successfully raised N43,800,000 for the girl
child education.
Through its Adopt-a-School-Initiative, Oando Foundation has steadily
provided access to improved quality education in Nigeria, with a focus
on girls in the Northern region.
The Foundation’s holistic programmes
have increased the number of young girls enrolling in its adopted
schools through the provision of hygiene and sanitary facilities in
schools, scholarships to deserving females to transit to secondary
school, mentorship programmes, training of female teachers, and
partnerships with International Development Organisations.
With over 6.3 million out-of-school girls in Nigeria, Oando Foundation’s
commitment is reinforced in the words of Angelique Kidjo, “Everyone wins
when children — and especially girls – have access to education. An
educated girl is likely to increase her personal earning potential and
prepare herself for a productive and fulfilling life, as well as reduce
poverty in the whole community. Investing in girls’ education also helps
delay early marriage and parenthood. Our booming economies in Africa
need more female engineers, teachers and doctors to prosper and sustain
growth.”
Fashion Vie, an annual charity fashion show which runs alongside New York
Fashion Week, is inspired by the life of its organiser, International
Fashion Designer and founder, Chuks Collins whose career began in
Nigeria.
The event, which took place at the famous Angel Orensanz, was hosted
by Claudia Jordan, actress, model, TV and radio personality.
The organization utilizes the creative industry to support social justice
and worldwide human right issues, by gathering audiences for a
contemporary experience of fashion and art, while highlighting the
incredible work of local, national, and international non-profits.
Speaking at the event, Adekanla Adegoke, Head, Oando Foundation, said;
“The partnership with Fashion Vie comes at a critical time when Oando
Foundation is scaling up its Girl Child intervention under the
Adopt-A-School Initiative. The funds raised will directly support the
educational and social needs of girls in our adopted schools, providing
them opportunities for a better future.”
The theme for this year’s event, ‘Girl Child Education,’ is a cause
close to both partners.
The Foundation will use proceeds from the event
to further improve access to and provide quality primary education in
its adopted schools.
It plans to focus on access to education, provision
of potable water and sanitation in public primary schools, information
and communication technology (ICT) education, scholarships, and safe
spaces for girls.
Oando Foundation has successfully adopted 80 public primary schools
across 23 states in Nigeria, renovated 30 of these under the
infrastructure development component; established 17 ICT centres and 3
Early Child Care Development Education (ECCDE) centres. In addition, the
Foundation has donated over 5,000 books and learning materials across
intervention communities. The Foundation has successfully supported
community involvement by strengthening the capacity of over 300 School
Based Management Committee (SBMC) members, awarded scholarships to 907
pupils and facilitated training of 1,700 teachers. 60,000 students now
have access to improved learning environments including improved
sanitary facilities through the direct intervention of Oando Foundation.
Speaking at the event, Mr Chuks said “This year, Fashion Vie has chosen
to return to Nigeria, where my story began. We are inspired by the
important work of the Oando Foundation, providing interventions for
marginalized Out-Of-School-Children and those unable to cry out for the
justice of accessible education in Nigeria.”
