REPORT FOR SANDALS ON SOLES MISSION 11-02-2020
On the 11th of February 2020, the Cares Global Network team led by Dr. Omolola Omoteso visited African Church Primary School, Abule Odo at Ifesowapo Community located in Abeokuta South.
The team was made up of the following people:
1. Dr. Omolola Omoteso
2. Mrs. Bewaji Oyewole
3. Dr. Ronke Buraimoh
4. Miss Amaka Odoh
5. Mrs. Monisola Ogundele
6. Mrs. Olayemi Oduwole
7. Mrs. Doris Ovwurie
8. Mrs. Bisi Olujimi
9. Mrs. Bukola Adeyinka
10. Mr. Fatai Amusa
11. Mr. Bamidele Kulajolu
12. Mr. Adekunle Ayanbisi
The commemorative project was carried out in honour of three partners of Cares Global Network - Deaconess Ibiyemi Famuyiwa (Ibiyemi Foundation for Education Projects), Deacon Bola Omoteso (Bola Memorial Watch) and Deaconess Olufikayo Famuyiwa (Graceful Woman of Worship)
After adequate preparations were made on and before the said date, part of the team set out from Lagos early the same morning while the others agreed to join at Abeokuta. Mrs. Bewaji, Miss Amaka Odoh and Mr. Bamidele met at the agreed convergence point in Ikosi and picked Dr. Buraimoh and Dr. Omoteso.
That team of 5 began the journey at 8:00AM and reached Abeokuta safely by 9:10am.
It is very important to note that the planned visit was to Methodist Primary School II Abeokuta. Extensive mail correspondence and phone calls were exchanged between Cares Global Network representatives and that of Methodist Primary School II prior to the visit and there are mail and letter receipts as evidence of acceptance from the school.
However, on getting to the venue, fresh concerns were raised by the headteacher about the new directives from Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board restricting visits to government schools to those approved by SUBEB citing political reasons.
Having penciled down African Church Primary School, Abule Odo as beneficiary of sandals remaining post distribution at Methodist Primary School, we contacted Mrs. Bukola Adeyinka to make an impromptu arrangement for the team to carry out the full project there.
Upon approval from the headteacher the team set off to meet Mrs Adeyinka at Ifesowapo community where she led us to school in Abule Odo. The team got to African Church school at 10:15AM. Mr Fatai Amusa, Mrs Bisi Olujimi and Mrs. Doris Ovwurie joined us at the school.
Beneficiary
African Church Primary School is located in Abule Odo in Ifesowapo community, Abeokuta. It has a population of 107 pupils, 6 teachers and a headmaster. The school's structure consist of a shed with a thatched roof and an uncompleted building which was constructed by the community themselves. The school which is located in a rural area is an annex that serves as the education centre for the children in the community.
Mrs Adeyinka led the team to meet the Baale of Abule Odo as is customary to introduce the team. Dr. Omolola Omoteso briefed the Baale on the purpose of the visit. The Baale was pleased and welcomed the team with words of encouragement and prayers.
Due to similar reports of restriction on visit to schools, the Baale, head teacher, Mrs Adeyinka and Dr. Omoteso in their wisdom agreed that the team should meet in front of the Baale’s compound which is beside the school.
Though we were denied an opportunity to take group camera images with the students and teachers, we discreetly took few for our record in addition to group images taken with the Baale at the end of the project. Without audio-visual record, we would have no documentation and it is easy for anyone to claim the project, since there was absolutely no correspondence or track record on the project with the school.
The pupils were brought in two batches to make the gathering orderly. Dr. Omoteso delegated speaking roles to every member of the team - pep talks on integrity, cleanliness, love and dedication to studies. After the mini seminar, all the pupils were gifted new pair of sandals rather than give to only students who appear to need sandals. We did this to avoid discord among the children as parents may see it as rejection, according to contacts within the community.
There were provision for new uniforms to be sewed for pupils whose uniforms were worn out. A tailor was brought in and paid to provide the uniforms. It has been reported that all the students received their uniforms on Friday 21, February 2020.
A pupil was also given free lunch ticket for the rest of the term. Payment was made directly to the school food vendor.
The joy on the faces of the children was obvious. They clearly showed their excitement and the teachers and Baale showed their appreciation. They requested help with completing an abandoned building. The project will cost about 350,000Naira.
Total cost expended for the SUMS Project was N165,000, this covered the following:
1. Sandals
2. Logistics, Correspondence and Administration
3. Transportation
4. Cash gift to contacts (PR)
5. Meals and drinks for team members
6. Uniforms and mid day meal
7. Branded tshirts
Donations including or excluding payment for tshirts were received from the following:
1. Mrs. Bewaji Oyewole 20,000
2. Mrs. Pearl Kanu 50,000
3. Mrs. Bisi Olujimi 5000
4. Mrs. Doris Ovwurie 2500
5. Mrs. Olayemi Oduwole 2500
6. Mr. Fatai Oladapo Amusa 5000
7. Mr. Yinka Adeosun 10,000
8. Dr. Aderonke Buraimoh 5000
9. Mrs. Monisola Ogundele 2500
10. Pastor Kofo Adewunmi YTBD
Dr. Omoteso advised that in order to avert the kind of minor setback encountered in the morning at Methodist Primary School, it would be needful to visit the SUBEB office to get first hand information and process required to organise visit to government schools for future projects. So a team of 5 located the SUBEB office in Abeokuta and met with representatives of the Director of Mobilisation.
The meeting was brief and very fruitful. The E-mail and contact of the representative was received. They found the CGN Projects (SUMS - Sandals, Uniforms, Meals, Seminars, also tagged SOS: Sandals on Soles ) laudable and they promised to cooperate with the team on subsequent visits.
We left for Lagos at 2:00PM. On the way to Lagos, Dr. Omoteso discussed other projects that would come up later in the year. One of such is the scheduled visit to Federal Government College Odogbolu in March. The team got to Lagos around 4:00PM.
The programme was a success, despite the initial setback. Team members bonded well, worked as a team to give out the sandals to over 100 pupils and had unity of purpose. Dr. Omolola Omoteso successfully led the team in an exemplary manner throughout the event. There was a strong sense of fulfilment in the team as they looked forward to the next event.
“How beautiful upon the mountain are the feet of them who bring good news...” Isaiah 52:7
Report by:
Mr. Bamidele Kulajolu
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