Over 300 Orphans, vulnerable children get scholarship from NGO in Niger

A non governmental organization (NGO) Stella Maris Educational Foundation (SMEF) has given scholarship to over three hundred and seventy orphans and vulnerable children from HIV/AIDS impacted families in Minna, the Niger State capital.

Briefing Journalists during the Kit Up A Girl Child in Minna organized by the Stella Maris Educational Foundation in partnership with Friends of the Poor Foundation, the founder, Rev. Fr. Chiedozie Ezeribe said the Foundation which started in 2011 also partner with schools in rural communities to offer educational assistance.

He said in the first phase, one hundred and sixteen persons benefitted from the kit up a girl girl but that it will be repeated every four months.

According to him “we had 164 children from parents who were impacted HIV/AIDS and many other orphans who were out of school irrespective of the religious or tribal differences.

“In this pilot scheme here in Dutsen Kura, each kit has 8 packs of pads, three panties, there tight, three brazzierz, detergent and bar soap.”

He added that the group after visiting various Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Gusoro in Shiroro local government area and Kafin Koro in Paikoro local government area, the school fees of Sixty (60) more children who escaped banditry were paid.

“Presently, we have three hundred and seventy eight children who are benefiting from our scholarship program.”

Rev. Fr. Ezeribe further stater that after the pilot program, the Kit Up a Girl Project will be taken to five other chosen communities which include Fadipe, Maikunkele, Chanchaga, Mutun Daya and Gbaiko.

In his goodwill message, Bishop of Minna Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Martins Uzoukwu who was represented by Secretary of Education, Minna Diocese, Rev. Fr. Isaac Abba commended the group adding that “the school has created and given psychological hope to children who survived Banditry”.

Director of Child Development Department under the Niger state Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs Maria Ndako charged the group to include the boy child in the program of activities.