By Precious Ahiakwo
Over two hundred school children who lives in a Fishing Settlement in Finima Community, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State will not have to miss not going to school again or catch a fever whenever it rains in that area.
This is as the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Creek View joined nine other Rotary Clubs in Port Harcourt to donate 100 rain coats and 100 shoes, to these pupils at the Stars of the Slum Academy, Amariari Fishing Settlement in Finima Community, Bonny LGA.
Before now, according to the founder and Proprietor of the school, Faith Tom-Babs, children in the slums and remote areas miss out on classes a lot especially whenever it rains. “These children don’t have access to umbrellas to protect them when it rains because some of their parents can’t afford them. Some of them even come to school under the rain and later fall sick”.
President of the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Creek View Best Akpotiv said the club is elated to be part of the clubs who gave these pupils renewed hope.
He said “As a club we are happy that these children can now go to school with their new raincoats and rain boots and stay healthy from catching cold, Fever and other illness as a result of the rain”.
Rotarian Best Akpotiv said the project is dear to the heart of the Rotary International District 9141 Chinedu Ikegwuani.
President of the Rotary Club of Grand Bonny, Sotonye Wilcox who led the delegation of the ten Rotary Clubs to execute the project said it was a joint, Food, Medical and Clothing (FMC+) project of the Rotary Clubs.
The Grand Bonny Club President, Sotonye Wilcox further informed that the outreach aligns with three areas – maternal and child health, disease prevention and treatment and basic education and literacy – of Rotary’s seven key areas of focus.
“This project touches three areas of Rotary seven key areas of focus. Maternal and child health – Children protected from the rains will stay healthy. Disease prevention and treatment- Protection from rain will reduce the likelihood of catching cold and other illnesses. Basic education and literacy- Healthy children can remain in school and learn better” she said.
