“And whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple…he shall not lose his reward.” (Mt. 10:42)
When I was in 8th grade, the equivalent of Junior Secondary or JS-2 in Nigeria, I won an award, not for academics but for athletics — best player on defense of our school’s football team. I remember how winning that award boosted my self-confidence and motivated me for greater challenges.
Young less fortunate Nigerian students need motivation too!
At HEAL sponsored BOMCA Academy, students receive awards for their academic and character-based achievements at the end of each trimester. Our teachers assess and honor students for good grades, speech and debate ability, good behavior, work ethic, neatness, and perseverance.
Before the current economic crisis in Nigeria, we gave students useful awards such as bookbags, textbooks, school uniforms, and other supplies. But, many schools have abandoned or cut back on award ceremonies due to the neglect of education in Nigeria and due to high operational costs.
Rev. Leo Okonkwo, HEAL founder, explains, “While section 3 of the Constitution lists education as a human right, rampant inflation and corruption in Nigeria have turned student award ceremonies into a luxury for wealthy urban schools and a forlorn hope for remote rural village schools.”
One of our teachers, Ms. Nanim, countered this crisis by sponsoring her own award ceremony after the last trimester of the 2024 school year. Nanim says, “I purchased several prizes out of my own meager earnings, but only enough for my deserving students in the Junior Secondary section.”
Ms. Nanim hopes by the end of the next trimester in mid-December, the outstanding students from all sections – nursery, primary, and junior and senior secondary, will receive awards.
One JS-2 student, named Akuchi, who won Best Student in Academics for the last trimester of the 2024 school year says, “The student award ceremony reveals how teachers carefully watch us during the term to assess who deserves an award, which inspires and motivates us to be our best and work hard throughout the school year.”
{First Name}, just as I received an award back in 8th grade, I’m sure you can remember at least one instance from your youth when your school or your teacher honored you for some achievement.
Hyperinflation having exacerbated operational costs, HEAL is struggling to pay our faithful heroic teachers on time so they can continue their frontline mission of forming our students into future Servant Leader Saints.
A single gift of $100 pays one of our 24 teachers for a week. A recurring gift of $25/month pays one teacher for 2 days of each month! Please bless our teachers with your best single or monthly gift today!
God bless you, keep you, and give you peace!