Help children learn

What we do and why we do it:

One in every five out-of-school children in the world lives in Nigeria and poverty is a key contributor to non attendance in rural areas.

We are collaborating with the Raphael Akowe Foundation, teachers and individuals in the Ekpon community to identify how to support the children, the schools and the wider community. 

How you can help. No donation is too small.

£2.50 provides a child with a school uniform. It removes shaming and  barriers to attending school, along with the books and writing material we provide. The uniforms are made locally supporting small businesses, helping to relieve poverty in the community.

Please donate here.

Project: Library and Computer Training Centre

In 2023 we received a donation of computers from London Rangers Football Club and books from Kenley Primary School in Croydon; and have now realised our dream to transform a derelict building in the Ekpon community into a Library and Computer Training Centre. We also installed solar energy to reduce costs and provide uninterrupted power to deliver high quality training.

The centre was launched on 27 May 2024, Children's Day, and attended by children and head teachers from 12 schools as well as chiefs and other dignitaries from the small rural community.

No donation is too small as every pound helps to empower a child. How you can help:

The Raphael Akowe Foundation is largely self funded and we are asking for your help which is crucial to continue the work we are doing to support this community through the various initiatives highlighted on this page.

IT skills are vital and no longer optional. It costs £30 to provide a child with basic computer skills and resources for continuous learning.

Please donate here.

Project: Community Celebration

Nigeria has a rich tradition of dancing that is an integral part of celebrations. 550 children from 14 primary and secondary schools in the Ekpon and Ewossa communities attended a celebration on 16 Sept 2023 sponsored by the Foundation with each school receiving 45 jumpers, 35 sets of football kit and 5 bicycles.

Despite it being a rainy day the kids had fun, enjoying refreshments as they sang and performed local dances.

Below: Students enjoying their new bicycles and learning to ride!

Students dancing and waiting their turn to show off their skills

Bicycles and goods ready for distribution to the schools

Elders in the community joined the event to pray for the children

Project: Bicycles

We have sent 120 donated bicycles to be repaired in Ekpon thereby providing work in the community. Bicycles were given to children who did not attend school regularly because of the distance and long walk to school and to those who came first in their class.

Local workers are helping the children maintain the bicycles.

Project: Play

We are providing a safe place for children to play by maintaining the elephant grass around the schools as it grows up to 3 meters tall and is a habitat for snakes. 

Play nourishes a child’s body, mind, and soul. During the magic of play, children connect with their peers and develop their mental and social skills, they take risks, make sense of the world, and regulate their emotions. Play is the only time that children are in control of their lives. They get to create, imagine, and experience joy.  

We are promoting amateur sport and will be developing sports fields and playgrounds at the schools. The foundation has sponsored an annual marathon since 2019 that attracts between 30-40 participants where 16-25 years olds compete for the top prizes. Members of the community celebrate afterwards with the runners at the Ekpon community square with refreshments provided by the foundation.

Julian Chenery from Wear A Sports Shirt Day is incredibly supportive of our projects by donating football kit and school uniforms.

Pipeline Projects:

Nurture Nature

• We have planted and are caring for 600 palm fruit, mango, coconut, orange and avocado trees to provide shade and fruit
• Developing vegetable gardens that add to the environment, educate children and produce food for lunchtime school meals

Community Hub
Providing a facility where:

• Families and the elderly socialise or watch a film

Thank you for helping to provide items and experiences that we often take for granted to this community.

Raphael Akowe, Rachel Elston & Ronel Crooks