COMMUNITY & CULTURE

schoolgirls-carrying-water-cropped-optimised

In 2018, Nigeria topped world rankings for the largest number of people living in extreme poverty, overtaking India a country with nearly five times its population. It is estimated that 87 million people live on less than $1.90 a day. With currently the 3rd largest and fastest growing youth population in the world, they have over 90 million young people under 18.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms that education is a fundamental right for everyone, despite this Nigeria has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world. It is estimated at that between 10 and 13 million Nigerian children do not attend school, this is a staggering figure given the entire under-18 population of England and Wales is approximately 12 million.

In our globalised society where we look internationally for resources, safety, security, strength, and solutions. Our future peace, health and prosperity is in the hands of children everywhere. We must focus our attention on the children of Nigeria, who are their country’s greatest natural resource.

 

“Natural capital provides only 9% of the world’s wealth,

around 66% of global wealth comes from human capital.”

(World Bank)

“Natural capital provides only 9%

of the world’s wealth, around

66% of global wealth comes from

human capital.” (World Bank)

(World Bank)

EDUCATION & IMPACT

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Adult low literacy can be connected to almost every socio-economic issue, poor health, crime, unemployment, gender abuse, extreme poverty, high infant mortality. Tackling low literacy rates from a young age must be a priority for poverty eradication.

By the time they are 3 years old, children from low-income families have been exposed to 30 million fewer words than their affluent counterparts. Exposure to books and reading has an impact that extends far beyond just hearing stories. 

We must refuse to accept the status quo where children are being denied their right to a literate future and make change happen one book at a time.

overcrowded classroom (3)

Adult low literacy can be connected to almost every socio-economic issue, poor health, crime, unemployment, gender abuse, extreme poverty, high infant mortality. Tackling low literacy rates from a young age must be a priority for poverty eradication.

By the time they are 3 years old, children from low-income families have been exposed to 30 million fewer words than their affluent counterparts. Exposure to books and reading has an impact that extends far beyond just hearing stories. 

We must refuse to accept the status quo where children are being denied their right to a literate future and make change happen one book at a time.

“Human Capital” -the potential of individuals- is going to be the most

important long-term investment and county can make for its people’s

future prosperity and quality of life.” (World Bank)

“Human Capital”

-the potential of individuals-

is going to be the most

important long-term a county 

can make for its people’s future

prosperity and quality of life.”

(World Bank)

CHARITY & CAUSES

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AUG 2023

CONTINUED SUPPORT

Renovation Works at the Omonike Akinjide Memorial Library St. John’s Primary Aremo

 First built in 2018 this library serving St. John’s Schools 1 & 2 required restoration of the flooring and renovation of the tables, chairs and bookshelves. The library also received a fresh coat of paint inside and out.

REACH: 17, 241 children

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JUL 2023

CONTINUED SUPPORT

Major Renovations at the Elizabeth Adesola Memorial Library Elekuro High School (Oyo State)

 We first built the library at Elekuro High School in 2016 and it has served over 1800 pupils per year for 7 years. The ceiling became damaged in a rain storm and major restoration work was needed to make ita safe space once again. We renovated tables, chairs and bookshelves. We replaces window frames and louvers. We fixed the ceiling and gave the whole library a new coat of paint both inside and out.

REACH: 17, 241 children

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JUL 2022

BOOK REVIEW CHALLENGE COMPETITION WINNERS

Continued Support

We launched a year long Book Review Challenge for pupils to submit book reviews based on their library books. The first 10 winners were awarded book prizes and certificates.

REACH: 17, 241 children

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JUL 2022

MEASURING OUR IMPACT WITH EGRA TESTING

After the first year of Reading Workshops we tested literacy outcomes. 

The resulting report found “This pilot study clearly showed a positive effect from using the Reading Made Easy
books. As such, the Reading Made Easy books are recommended for future use and on a larger scale.”

REACH: 17,241 children

“For over 5 years I have known about Christianna Foundation. I really love the
programme. It sets a light on how to read and write in our primary schools. It even
exposes the pupils internationally. The books are very important. They are relevant not
only presently but in the future it will instigate life long learning.”

Mr Oluremi Opatade, Headmaster at St John’s Anglican Idi-Os

“At St. James Olohunda, we met a session of the PTA meeting. The headmaster introduced us into the gathering where we recieved a resounding applause.”

John Okeleye, Christianna Foundation Project Manager 2021

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APR 2022

CONTINUED SUPPORT

Oyo State School for the Handicapped Ibadan (Oyo State)

We began support for this school in 2015 supplying uniforms and equipment. This year we continued our support with major renovation work to replace flooring in 3 classrooms and the hallways. We left the pupils with new polo t-shirts to enjoy with their new, safe classroom floors.

REACH: 17, 241 children

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SEP 2021

CONTINUED SUPPORT

Launching Reading Workshops and Teacher Incentive Sceme

Expanding our pilot projects under the Book Box Library Club umbrella within the 10 pilot schools we launched intensive reading workshops for 300 pupils who needed extra support with English literacy. The get the most out of the mobile library scheme we need full time teachers to be as supportive as possible in helping the pupils to use the books provided. To this end we launched the Super Mentor Teacher Incentive Scheme with annual cash prizes for the top 10 “Super Mentors”.

REACH: 17, 241 children

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AUG 2021

CONTINUED SUPPORT

United Primary School Ogbo, Ijebu Ode (Ogun State)

We first renovated a disused classroom at this school in 2016 providing 5 bookshelves, 40 chairs and tables and over 200 books. The library was in need of some maintenance after 7 years of continued use. We repaired all of the bookshelves, chairs and tables and repainted the whole library.

REACH: 17, 241 children

Jan 2021 Methodist

JAN 2021

EXPANSION OF BOOK BOX LIBRARY CLUB

Methodist Primary Are-Alasa (Oyo State) NEW SCHOOL
IDC Olode (Oyo State) NEW SCHOOL
Islamic Mission School Akanran (Oyo State) NEW SCHOOL
St Peters Gbedun (Oyo State) NEW SCHOOL
St James Olorunda (Oyo State) NEW SCHOOL

After a successful launch of Book Box Library Club in February 2020 we expanded the mobile library pilot to 5 new schools reaching an additional 1200 pupils.

REACH: 17,241 children

JUN 2020

JUN 2020

PEER/COMMUNITY

Ona-Ara Local Authority (Oyo State)

To support overstretched teachers by mobilising community to use their skills to help children improve their literacy, Book Box Library Club is engaging Peer/Community Reading Mentors. Former Head Of Teaching and Learning for the British Council in Saudi Arabia, Nicky Francis, began a remote ‘Train the Trainer’ programme. Christianna Foundation trainers ready top go out into the community when schools reopen from the lock-down enforced due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

REACH: 16,041 children

MAR 2020

MAR 2020

CHILDREN’S BOOK WRITING WORKSHOP

Atamora Village (Osun State) NEW COMMUNITY

Working in partnership with Telling Our Tales Storytelling Collective, Christianna Foundation facilitated a workshop with 16 children aged 8-12. The 16 children created a Story Map from their own creativity and imagination. A professional children’s book author and illustrator is now working to bring the children’s story to life in a book that will be co-authored by the children and published for donated to school libraries in Nigeria.

REACH: 16,041 children

“Before the introduction of Book Box Library Club, pupils had no access to storybooks… It is a setback for the literacy levels of children, many of them have not handled storybooks before. They never got to talk of reading.”

Mr Olopade—Head Teacher St. Paul’s Kajola 2020

FEB 2020

FEB 2020

BOOK BOX LIBRARY CLUB LAUNCH

Catholic Apostolic Church School Akinkemi Ona-Ara (Oyo State) NEW SCHOOL Ibadan District Council School Olorunda Ona-Ara (Oyo State) NEW SCHOOL St John’s Primary Idi-Ose Ona-Ara (Oyo State) NEW SCHOOL St Paul’s Anglican Kajola Ona-Ara (Oyo State) NEW SCHOOL St Peter’s Anglican Ojuku Ona-Ara (Oyo State) NEW SCHOOL

Our most ambitious project to date,Book Box Library Club is a mobile library service that lends books to pupils for use at school and at home. Aiming to reach every primary school in the local authority of Ona-Ara, Oyo State, it will service approximately 20,000 pupils. This pilot project is testing the first 5 schools with a total of 800 pupils.

REACH: 16,025 children

OCT 2019

OCT 2019

CONTINUED SUPPORT

St. Peter’s Anglican Primary Ibadan (Oyo State)
Community High School Sawia (Oyo State)
Elekuro High School Ibadan (Oyo State)
Olubadan High School (Oyo State)
Oyo State School for the Handicapped (Oyo State)

All schools were revisited for monitoring and maintenance. We repainted, fixed floors and ceilings, fixed or replaced furniture and various other necessary jobs.

REACH: 15,225 children

SEP 2019

SEP 2019

DECADE OF ACTION

Goalkeepers 2019 at the United Nations Summit (NYC)

Christianna Foundation were nominated to attend Goalkeepers 2019 for our work supporting Sustainable Development Goal 4-Quality Education for All. Invited by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation we took part in the SDG Action Zone with amazing grass roots organisations from around the world.

REACH: 15,225 children

JUN 2019 (2)

JUN 2019

EVIDENCE BASED WORKING

Ona-Ara Local Authority (Oyo State)

Ahead of developing our new project plans for 2020-2022 we conducted a needs assessment research project. Visiting all 102 government funded primary schools in the local authority of Ona-Ara, two researchers conducted an extensive survey logging facilities and equipment available, interviewing head teachers and photographing the school buildings.

REACH: 14,728 children

JUN 2019

JUN 2019

CONTINUED SUPPORT

Ibadan District Council Primary Schools 1-6 Olunloyo (Oyo State)

With a combined pupil population of 2213 a existing classroom was renovated and fit out as a library. We have initially donated 4 bookshelves, 8 desks, 32 chairs and 196 books.

REACH: 14,728 children

JAN 2019

JAN 2019

CONTINUED SUPPORT

St James’s Anglican Primary School Akanran (Oyo State) Oyo State School for the Handicapped (Oyo State) Community High School Sawai (Oyo State)

Three adopted schools were revisited to provide each with additional storybooks and notebooks. We donated a total of 110 storybooks and 160 notebooks.

REACH: 13, 505 children

OCT 2018

OCT 2018

NEW SCHOOL

St John’s Primary School 1 & 2 Ibadan (Oyo State)

After an extensive renovation, a disused classroom was turned into the Omonike Akinjide Memorial Library. We donated 4 bookshelves, 10 desks, 40 chairs and 250 books. The library is used by approximately 225 pupils per year.

REACH: 13,505 children

JUL 2018

JUL 2018

CONTINUED SUPPORT

St James Anglican Primary School Akanran (Oyo State)

Supporting 90 pupils a classroom was renovated and fit out as a for use as a school library. We donated 4 bookshelves, 8 desks, 32 chairs and 226 storybooks.

REACH: 13,094 children

JUN 2018

JUN 2018

BIGGER & BETTER

Head Office (London)

Christianna Foundation took on a Charity Director part-time to help streamline the charities activities, align us to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and develop programmes with long term focus and measurable outcomes.

REACH: 13,094 children

APR 2018

APR 2018

NEW SCHOOL

Maiyegun Primary School Lagos (Lagos State)

Continuing our flagship partnership with Worldreader, their leading e-reader programme was implemented at Maiyegun Primary who now have a 1500 pupils. We provided 170 e-readers and 2 portable solar chargers. The pupils also received t-shirts, pens and 3000 notebooks. As part of the programme we conducted teacher and pupils training with the e-readers.

 

REACH: 13,094 children

MAR 2018

MAR 2018

CONTINUED SUPPORT

St James Anglican Primary School Akanran (Oyo State)

Revisiting St James’s which has grown to a school of 90 pupils, we donated 40 storybooks, drawing books and 300 exercise books.

REACH: 12,794 children

“The e-readers are used for reading, which boost the pupils ability in English. We have around 150 storybooks in each device. Children love to touch, feel and read the e-readers. Having them automatically increased the school attendance.”

Mrs. Adejoke Adesina – librarian Ibadan North Eastern 2019

FEB 2018

FEB 2018

NEW SCHOOL

St Peter’s Primary School Ojoku (Oyo State)

Launching a flagship partnership with Worldreader, we implemented their leading e-reader programme. As part of the programme we conducted teacher and pupils training with the e-readers. 30 devices were donated and approximately 180 pupils per year access them.

REACH: 12,749 children

DEC 2017

DEC 2017

NEW SCHOOL

All Saints Anglican Primary School (Ondo State)

We provided 200 school uniforms,176 storybooks and 6 bookshelves for the children of this school newly adopted school.

REACH: 12,689 children

MAY 2017

MAY 2017

CONTINUED SUPPORT

Kuramo Nursery and Primary School Lagos (Lagos State)

In a partnership with Bricks 4 Kids, 2 months of Lego Workshops were held exploring science, technology, engineering and maths subjects.

REACH: 11,241 children

“The library is very useful to all pupils in St. Peter’s and other schools in the zone, especially Okuseinde Primary School 1&2, Islamic Mission School 1&2 and others. Teachers and pupils from other schools come to borrow books for their schools and return when due. We organized young reader’s club and the children are doing wonderfully well.”

Mrs.Adejoke Adesina— Ibadan North Eastern librarian, 2019

APR 2017

APR 2017

NEW SCHOOL

St Peter’s Primary School Ojoku Ibadan (Oyo State)

St. Peter’s Primary supports 920 pupils. A new library was built by renovating an existing classroom and fitting out a library. We donated 40 chairs and tables, 6 bookshelves and 500 textbooks and storybooks. The St. Peter’s library is now being used by almost all primary schools in Ibadan North Eastern Local Authority as there are only 2 libraries in the area, both of which have been supplied by Christianna Foundation. In partnership with Ibadan International School and ahead of the library opening we held a World Book Day event in March.

REACH: 11,241 children

JAN 2017

JAN 2017

CONTINUED SUPPORT

St Peter’s Primary School Ojoku Ibadan (Oyo State)

Continuing our commitment to St Peter’s we donated 26 chairs, drawing books and pencils for the pre-school and 75 maths sets.

REACH: 10,321 children

NOV 2016 (2)

NOV 2016

CONTINUED SUPPORT

Maiyegun Primary School Lagos (Lagos State)

Revisiting Maiyegun we donated another 70 storybooks and novels to the library.

REACH: 10,321 children

“The library has really helped a lot of students. In fact, Wahab used the library often and made her West African Examination Council (WAEC) and did very well. She is currently studying at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife”.

Mrs Adeoye O.M-Librarian Olubadan Hign School 2019

NOV 2016

NOV 2016

NEW SCHOOL

Olubadan High School Ibadan (Oyo State)

Adopting an our 3rd secondary school, Olubadan had over 2500 pupils. We renovated a classroom for use as a library and donated 40 chairs and tables, bookshelves and an initial 300 storybooks.

REACH: 10,321 children

OCT 2016

OCT 2016

CONTINUED SUPPORT

Maiyegun Primary School Lagos (Lagos State)

Continuing our work with Maiyegun Primary and in partnership with The Learning Place, we conducted a teacher’s workshop on ‘Effective Teaching with Best Practice’.

REACH: 7,421 children

“The impact of library on students is significant. Waheed was a regular library user during the 2017/2018 academic year and it was so impactful on her. She represented the school in the Spelling Bee and the debating competition and she came out 1st in both. Sukurat, Oladijo and Ishaq won scholarship for themselves as a result of their regularly making use of the library”. 

Mr Salahudeen-Librarian Elekuro High School 2019

OCT 2016

OCT 2016

NEW SCHOOL

Elekuro High School Ibadan (Oyo State)

Having won the World Reading Day Competition earlier in the year we were delighted to adopt Elekuro High School Ibadan with its 1800 pupils. We renovated a classroom and converted it into a library with 6 bookshelves, 40 chairs and desks and an initial 270 textbooks and storybooks.

REACH: 7,421 children

SEP 2016

SEP 2016

CONTINUED SUPPORT

Community High School Sawia (Oyo State)

Revisiting this school, we hired an additional maths teacher for the 2016/17 academic year.

REACH: >6,000 children

JUL 2016 (2)

JUL 2016

SPECIAL EVENT

Community High School Sawia (Oyo State) Urban Day High School Egbeda (Oyo State) Elekuro High School Ibadan (Oyo State)

With World Reading Day and Teachers Day in Nigeria falling on the same day, we held reading day events in 3 secondary schools in Oyo State. Hosted at Community High School Sawia and with the Commissioner of Education for Oyo State in attendance, 1st prize was ₦20,000, 2nd prize ₦10,000 and ₦5,000 for 3rd.

REACH: >6,000 children

JUL 2016

JUL 2016

NEW SCHOOL

Kuramo Nursery and Primary School Lagos (Lagos State)

We adopted our second school in Lagos with 860 pupils, donating 300 textbooks.

REACH: 5,621 children

JUN 2016

JUN 2016

CONTINUED SUPPORT

United Primary School Ogbo, Ijebu Ode (Ogun State)

We began our relationship with this school that supported 250 pupils. We donated 100 maths sets and 1000 notebooks for pupils.

REACH: 4,761 children

MAY 2016

MAY 2016

CONTINUED SUPPORT

United Primary School Ogbo, Ijebu Ode (Ogun State)

We continued our commitment to support this village school who’s population had grown to 280. We renovating a room and converting it into a library, donating 40 chairs and tables, 5 bookshelves and over 200 storybooks and textbooks.

REACH: 4,761 children

JAN 2016

JAN 2016

NEW SCHOOL

Maiyegun Primary School Lagos (Lagos State)

We adopted this extremely under-resourced school with 1200 pupils, where teachers could be responsible for a class of 200 pupils. We renovated a classroom and converted it into a library, donating 32 chairs and tables, bookshelves, 277 textbooks and 70 storybooks. In addition we provided 500 maths sets and 3000 notebooks.

REACH: 4,731 children

JUL 2015

JUL 2015

NEW SCHOOL

St. Peter’s Primary School Ojoku Ibadan (Oyo State)

For this newly adopted school with 120 pupils, we provided 120 school uniforms, 26 chairs, 120 maths sets and 500 notebooks for pupils. We also conducted an outreach programme, sending a community worker to homes door-to-door, talking with parents about the importance and benefits of education.

REACH: 3,531 children

JUN 2015

JUN 2015

NEW SCHOOL

Oyo State School for the Handicapped Ibadan (Oyo State)

We donated 80 uniforms for all of the children attending the school and held a celebratory meal for the children and staff, in partnership with one of our patrons.

REACH: 3,411 children

JUN 2015

JUN 2015

NEW SCHOOL

United Primary School Ogbo, Ijebu Ode (Ogun State)

We began our relationship with this school that supported 250 pupils. We donated 100 maths sets and 1000 notebooks for pupils.

REACH: 3,331 children

“The library has been very useful to less privileged students. Last year a final year student named Tolu, chosen as a library prefect told me that all her success was achieved through library use, she has access to reading books which her parents could not afford. Additionally, another pupil just left the school after making proper use of the library and got matriculated into university.”

Mrs O.M Adepoju – Teacher Community High School Sawia 2019

MAY 2015

MAY 2015

NEW SCHOOL

Community High School Sawia (Oyo State)

Our first adopted secondary school, Sawia Community High had 2012 pupils. With only 26 teaching staff class sizes could be up to 100. Christianna Foundation refurbished and converted two large rooms into a library, donating 5 bookshelves, 5 tables, 40 chairs, a librarian station, 850 textbooks and 100 novels. In addition, we sponsored a new teacher for a year who focused on teaching Senior Secondary School year 6 for a year.

REACH: 3,081 children

NOV 2014

NOV 2014

NEW SCHOOL

Ibadan District Council Primary School 1 Olunloyo (Oyo State)

With 450 pupils we adopted our second IDC school, providing 450 school uniforms.

REACH: 1,069 children

JUN 2014

JUN 14

NEW SCHOOL

Child Lifeline Boys Home Ikorodu Lagos (Lagos State)

A boys home for 7-17 year olds Child Lifeline Boys Home accommodates 34 boys. We donated stationary and sporting equipment to the home.

REACH: 619 children

MAY 2014

MAY 2014 

NEW SCHOOL

Ibadan District Council Primary School 3 Olunloyo (Oyo State)

A newly adopted school with 540 pupils we donated 6 bookshelves, 3 whiteboards and 450 maths sets and 2,160 notebooks for pupils.

REACH: 585 children

MAR 2013

MAR 2013 

NEW SCHOOL

St James Anglican Primary School Akanran (Oyo State)

Our first adopted school we provided 45 school sandals, a drum set, a first aid box, and 2 white boards

REACH: 45 children