mid-year report june, 2013. - Bethesda Child Support Agency

MID-YEAR REPORT
JUNE, 2013.
EVENTS/PR ACTIVITIES
CHARITY WALKATHON
A Charity Walkathon to raise funds for Bethesda and create awareness about the project was organized by Miss Uju Rapu. The event was
held on Saturday January 5th, 2013. 85 volunteers participated in the event.
BETHESDA...AN EVOLUTION!
BETHESDA CHILD SUPPORT AGENCY MID-YEAR REPORT 2013
On the 27th of March, 2013 over 500 guests comprising individual/corporate partners, sponsors, volunteers, caregivers and friends,
gathered at the Harbour Point Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos to celebrate the 12th anniversary of Bethesda Child Support Agency.
The event which was supported by the First City Monument Bank (FCMB), had the Group Managing Director of the bank, Mr. Ladi
Balogun and the Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Segun Odusanya in attendance. Also in attendance were dignitaries from the Lagos State
government: Dame Abimbola Fashola, First Lady of Lagos State, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning in Lagos State, Mr.
Ben Akabueze and the wife of the Head of Service of the State, Mrs. Adenike Ogunlewe.
Mr. Femi Edun, the Chairperson of the Freedom Foundation Executive Board gave the opening remarks. Features at the event were a
short video clip, a photo exhibition and cutting of the anniversary cake. The children also thrilled the audience in music, dance and drama
performances which featured ace actress Joke Silva, Tosin Martins and Modele. The highpoints of the evening were the presentation of
two books: Bethesda: An Evolution, which is a pictorial compendium of Bethesda's 12 year journey; and the other, Tortoise and the
Magical Dancing Shoes, a storybook written by our children. The former was presented by Mr. Ladi Balogun while the First Lady
presented the storybook. Mr. Nosa Afe, the Chairperson of the Governing Board of Bethesda Child Support Agency gave the closing
remarks.
The books
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BETHESDA CHILD SUPPORT AGENCY MID-YEAR REPORT 2013
The children during their
music and dance
performances.
Mrs Nkoyo Rapu, Founder of
Bethesda, flanked by members
of the Board, as they cut the
anniversary cake.
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The children in their
dance and play
costumes, excitedly
pose for the camera.
NBIC VOLUNTEERS DONATE PLAY EQUIPMENT TO BETHESDA
BETHESDA CHILD SUPPORT AGENCY MID-YEAR REPORT 2013
The New Beginnings International Church (NBIC) volunteer team continue to support the Ikota School by engaging the children in art,
music, and Bible lessons. They have also been providing psychosocial support to the children and teachers of the school. On the 26th of
April, 2013 Mrs. Emma Lou-Maxey and some members of the team presented a new set of outdoor play equipment to the school.
BNPS children playing in the Tunnel Slide
(left); Mrs. Maxey (2nd right) and some
NBIC volunteers on the playground with
the children.
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THE NEXT TITAN SUPPORTS BETHESDA
The Next Titan is a Nigerian Entrepreneurial Reality TV show sponsored by MTN. Contestants in the show are expected to compete in
business-driven tasks around Lagos where they use their ideas and creativity to win challenges.
As part of their weekly challenge (The Community, My Business) for the period May 6th-9th, the Sapphire Group (one of the teams
participating in the show) partnered with Bethesda Child Support Agency to drill a borehole with a 1,500 liter overhead tank in the Ikota
School and erect a Porta cabin community health centre, equipped with drugs and medical appliances. They also renovated the school
toilets and donated books for the school library.
PROJECT BE!
In celebration of the National Children's Day this year, Bethesda partnered with the First City Monument Bank (FCMB) for the 2nd
edition of Project BE! our mentoring/life skills program. The event was held on Monday, May 27th, 2013 at the YMCA Hall, Awolowo
Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The children participated in age-specific activities designed to pique their creative and imaginative abilities and also to help them discover
their strengths and how to maximize them. Some of the activities were:






MY PERSONAL VALUES
MY LIFE JOURNEY
MY ROLE MODEL
MY DREAM COMMUNITY
MY COMPUTER & ME
MY PICTURE STORY
The event was quite impactful as numerous sponsors and volunteers were there to interact one-on-one with the children, impacting life
skills and helping them build self-confidence.
BETHESDA CHILD SUPPORT AGENCY MID-YEAR REPORT 2013
The event was supported by OM Educate, LEGO, GlaxoSmithKline (Ribena), CityFM, Bella Naija, Verbana Servicing Outfit, Beloxxi
Biscuits and a host of individual donors and volunteers.
A total of 587 children from poor neighborhoods around Lagos and Ogun States benefitted from the program!
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SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
BETHESDA CHILD SUPPORT AGENCY MID-YEAR REPORT 2013
Bethesda continues to provide scholarships for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) with the objective to break the cycle of
poverty in their families. In line with this objective, 13 children were offered scholarships between January and June 2013.
Below are their details:
S/No
BENEFICIARY
SPONSOR
SCHOOL
1
Alu Valentine
Mr. &
Otakore
Dr.
(Mrs.)Charles
St. Greggs School, Surulere
2
Precious Okon
Mr. &
Otakore
Dr.
(Mrs.)Charles
Bethesda Nursery and Primary School, Ikota
3
Edobor Jennifer
Toyosi/Leke
Nazareth School, Oke-Aro
4
Peju Falaye
Mrs. Olajumoke Adekeye
BNPS Matogun
5
Jesutofunmi Ariyo
Mr. Akanimo
BNPS Matogun
6
Solomon Michael
Mrs. Okpomo Ese
Arrows of God Nursery &Pry School, Surulere
7
Omolola Ikusika
Mrs. Olamide
Amerian Mind Builders School, Ejigbo
8
Esther Chiedo
School’s Management
James Hope College, Agbor, Delta State
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Awaiting child selection
Mr. Muyiwa Awosile
BNPS Ijaiye Ojokoro
10
Awaiting child selection
Mr. Muyiwa Awosile
BNPS Ijaiye Ojokoro
11
Awaiting child selection
Mr. Muyiwa Awosile
BNPS Ijaiye Ojokoro
12
Awaiting child selection
Mr. Muyiwa Awosile
BNPS Ijaiye Ojokoro
13
Folasade Olasanmi
Mrs. Yinka Ajose-Adeogun
New Mainland Children School, Onipanu
Azariah Foundation, a non-profit organisation based in the United States of America has offered to partner with Bethesda on
their scholarship program. Three (3) children from BNPS Ikota were identified for the proposed scholarship based on Azariah's
criteria. The children's profiles, past results and a comprehensive analysis of proposed secondary schools for admission have
been submitted. A draft Memorandum Of Understanding has also been prepared. We await their response.
Azariah Foundation, through their Scholarship program, sponsors high-achieving children from less privileged backgrounds for
all six years of secondary education. They also provide educational, social and mentoring opportunities to enhance the
academic performance, social and career options of their scholars.
James Hope College granted admission to Esther Chiedo with full scholarship. Esther is one of the current Basic six pupils of the
Ikota School. She emerged successful in a keenly contested selection process. The scholarship covers all six years of her
secondary education.
James Hope College, located in Agbor, Delta State, is a co-educational, private secondary school founded by Mr. Jim Ovia. The
Principal of the school, Mr. Malcolm Phillips accompanied by the Vice-Principal (Academics) Mr. Ola Opesan visited the Ikota
School on the 26th of April, 2013 for the formal presentation of the admission letter to Esther.
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SCHOOLS-IN-POOR COMMUNITIES PROGRAM
BETHESDA CHILD SUPPORT AGENCY MID-YEAR REPORT 2013
The Bethesda Nursery and Primary Schools in Ikota, Bariga, Ijaiye-Ojokoro and Matogun resumed academic activities for 2nd
th
term 2012/2013 Academic Session on the 7 of January 2013 and concluded academic activities/examinations on the 26th of
March, 2013. The schools are presently in the 3rd term of the session which commenced on the 29th of April, 2013.
Nine (9) children formerly in the Ikota School relocated from the community during the Christmas season. This has reduced the
number of children in the school to one hundred and fifty (150).
The Matogun School currently has fifty (50) children in attendance while the Bariga and Ijaiye-Ojokoro Schools have thirty (30)
and one hundred and forty two (142) children in attendance, respectively.
Caregiver's Forum Meetings were held in the Matogun and Bariga Schools on the 30th and 31st of May, 2013, respectively.
PTA Meetings were held in the Ikota and Ijaiye-Ojokoro Schools on the 8th of May and 27th of June, 2013, respectively.
Teachers’ Training: In line with our objective to build the capacity of all Bethesda teaching staff, Mrs. Kemi Adewoye (OM
Educate), a volunteer professional training & development expert who has been taking the BNPS Ikota, Bariga and Matogun
staff through series of trainings, have now included staff of the Ijaiye-Ojokoro School among the beneficiaries of the
professional development sessions. She is presently working with us to develop a logic model and set up a performance
assessment system for all the Bethesda Schools. This is in line with our Whole School Improvement (WSI) objective.
New School Uniforms: The schools uniforms of children on our program has been changed. The new school uniform has a
better and consistent design than the old one; made from a better quality of fabric and expertly tailored. Miss Kolawole Toyosi
(Audeo Clothing Limited, Lekki) supported this initiative by providing free professional design and tailoring services.
Some pupils of BNPS Ikota in
the new school uniforms.
MENTORING/INTERNSHIP

Poize Magazine based in the U.S.A in partnership with DAAR Communications, Nigeria is organizing an internship-based
program for young girls between the ages of 13 and 16 years old. This program is designed for a 2 year duration which includes
a 2-week training session in Chicago, Illinois. The aim of the program is to empower young girls to become meaningful,
confident and skillful entrepreneurs.
Out of a total of 24 available slots from 18 states in Nigeria, the organization had over 300 applications for this course. After a
rigorous assessment process, four of our beneficiaries were awarded the opportunity to participate in the program . Find under
st
listed, the names of the beneficiaries. The program is expected to commence on August 1 , 2013.
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PROFILE
SCHOOL
Rahab Danjuma
She is from
background
Rodan High School, Ajah, Lagos
an
impoverished
Praise Adelakin
Chapel Secondary School, Ilorin, Kwara State
Her parents are missionaries
Mercy Okechukwu
Gulf Flower School, Oworonshoki-Lagos
Paternal Orphan
Cynthia Ughaelunachi
Gyasi Private School, Mushin-Lagos
Paternal Orphan
BETHESDA CHILD SUPPORT AGENCY MID-YEAR REPORT 2013
INTERNATIONAL ART EXCHANGE PROGRAM
In Summer of 2012, the Arts in Education department of The Huntington Arts Council, New York was approached by teacher Susan
Cucchiara of Bellerose Avenue Elementary School, Northport, NY and PTA parent Lisa Schilling. The school wanted to engage in an 'Art
Exchange' program with a school on the African Continent. As it turns out, one of Huntington Arts Council summer interns was Koro
Koroye from Hofstra University. Ms. Koroye helped the Arts in Education department over the summer and she is a Nigerian citizen who
is doing graduate work in education. With help from Peggy Low, Arts in Education Coordinator and Ms. Schilling, Ms. Koroye was able to
contact Bethesda Child Support Agency about participating in the 'Art Exchange' program. The program will run much like a 'Pen Pal'
program - only with works of art!
In November 2012, Ms. Schilling organised a community art supply drive and lots of parents in the school in Northport did an outstanding
job of donating pounds of art supplies for Bethesda students. The supplies were shipped pro bono from New York to the Ikota school by
LogistiQ Xpeditors Ltd, a Bethesda partner. The students at Bellerose and BNPS Ikota are presently creating artworks based on an agreed
subject list.
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ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT
LOSS OF STAFF MEMBER: On the 10th of January 2013, one of our staff was fatally impacted in a motor accident along the
Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The late Mrs. Oluwakemi Joke Alawode was the headmistress of the Bethesda Nursery and Primary
School, Matogun, Ogun State. Mrs. Alawode was a dutiful and caring headmistress whose commitment to improving the
educational outcomes of the pupils in the Matogun School emanated in her daily work. She will be greatly missed by the entire
Bethesda team. She was buried on the 17th of January, 2013 in Sagamu, Ogun State.
BETHESDA CHILD SUPPORT AGENCY MID-YEAR REPORT 2013
NEW STAFF: We welcome two members of staff to Bethesda: Miss Abigail Orhonor, a 2013 Batch 'C' National Youth Corps
member that was deployed to Bethesda for her primary assignment; and Mrs. Jane Amara, who is presently the school
administrator of BNPS Bariga.
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