Many thoughts roam in the minds of children; their favourite food, favourite toys, their five best friends, favourite TV shows, wanting to be a doctor one minute then a teacher in the next minute, and other wonderful, light-hearted activities that communicate the carefreeness which should characterise the phenomenon known as childhood.

For Goodluck Ifeanyi, this was not so. When his parents relocated to the city, with no money to fend for their daily needs let alone his education, his dreams of becoming a pilot seemed to disappear into the clouds he had thought he would one day fly above. 

FINDING IFEANYI

Benzone Foundation’s mission is to facilitate the return of children like Ifeanyi back to school. One of the ways we implement this is by mandating our volunteers living in the remote parts of Abuja to keep an eye out for children who were out of school during school hours. Such children would be assisted by the foundation to ensure their reintegration into the educational system.

It was during this time that Tina, one of our volunteers, who lived in the Angwa community in Lugbe, Abuja FCT, noticed Ifeanyi. He was a 9-year-old boy who she often saw either playing around during school hours or running errands. To be certain that this was the kind of case that the foundation sought to help, she kept watch for a while. 

Things changed quickly when Tina observed that Ifeanyi was beginning to associate with older boys in the area who were perceived as bad influences. She made a move by reaching out to Ifeanyi’s parents. However, her efforts proved abortive. 

Finally, she got in contact with Ifeanyi’s mother who gave her the true picture of things. 

IFEANYI’S STORY

Ifeanyi’s family only recently moved into the community. His father was unable to find a job, majorly as a result of his lack of education. 

Ifeanyi’s mother took to menial jobs like laundry, cleaning and others of that ilk to make ends meet. Despite her efforts, the family still did not have enough—there was barely enough to eat, let alone send Ifeanyi to school. This led to his dropping out of school. 

IFEANYI’S DREAMS ARE VALID

Armed with this information, Tina immediately reached out to the BDF, who in turn swung into action by carrying out a background check on the family. After verifying these claims, Ifeanyi was enrolled at DE-DAVETEE KIDDIES ACADEMY, an elementary school in the same community. Ifeanyi was provided with everything he needed; the BDF team purchased his uniforms, paid his fees, and gave him all the necessary items so that he not only goes back to school but can catch up on the time lost from when he was out of school. 

Empowerment is key for every family to ensure sustainability. For this reason, the Benzone Foundation also helped his mother to start a small business to support the family better. We hope that this allows Ifeanyi’s father to focus better on securing a stable job.

An interview with the family showed the family’s gratitude and happiness as well as Ifeanyi’s excitement at joining his peers at school. The BDF team has continued to check in on Ifeanyi, monitoring his well-being and progress in school.

IFEANYI’s DREAM IS OUR DREAM

Once, the closest Ifeanyi could get to his dreams of becoming a pilot was the clouds above his house as he watched his mates go to school looking smart in their shining uniforms every morning from the corner of his window. Today, Ifeanyi has reclaimed his chance to not only be a pilot but whatever he dreams of becoming because of the benevolence and kind contributions of our partners.

This is not just Ifeanyi’s dream. It is our dream at BDF and when every child gets to live it, so do we. We want Ifeanyi’s story to be the story of every out-of-school child in Nigeria. 

JOIN US!

We want to send children like Goodluck Ifeanyi back to school. We want Nigerian children who are out of school to return to an environment where their dreams can come true and they can become powerful agents of change for society. We want to return their childhood to them, so they can live their lives concerned only with the things that children should be concerned about. 

With your partnership, we can do this and more. 

Join us to make a difference. With your partnership, we can provide school fees, uniforms, books and other supplies necessary. 

Click HERE to send a child back to school.