Back to School: 200 Children Supported in Ilesa, Osun State, with School Fees, Learning Materials and Safety Education

Every child deserves the opportunity to go to school, learn, feel safe, and have the things they need to thrive. But for some families, getting ready for a new school term can be a real struggle.

The cost of school fees, bags, sandals, exercise books, and other learning materials can put pressure on parents who are already doing their best to provide for their children.

This is one of the reasons we organised our 2026 Back-to-School Support Program at St. John’s Nursery and Primary School in Ilesa, Osun State.

Our goal was simple: to support children with some of the things they need for school, help ease the burden on their families, and remind them that they matter.

And we are grateful that, together with our partners, donors, volunteers, and supporters, we were able to reach 200 children.

What We Did

For us at The Safe Child Foundation, this was about more than handing out school supplies. We wanted to respond to real needs and make the day meaningful for the children.

1. We provided school supplies and learning materials.

We distributed school bags, sandals, socks, water bottles, exercise books, pens, and other writing materials to support the children’s learning and help them prepare for the new school term.

2. We supported school fees for 50 pupils.

Through the generous support of the Ekpen Eribo Foundation, we were able to provide school-fee support for 50 pupils. This helped ease some of the financial pressure on their families and addressed an important barrier to their education.

We are deeply grateful to the Foundation for choosing to invest in these children’s education.

3. We taught children about body safety.

We believe every child deserves to be safe, and that children need to understand their bodies, personal boundaries, and how to speak up when something doesn’t feel right.

As part of the program, we held a body safety education session to help the children learn these important lessons. We are thankful to SpeakOut for Children Development Initiative for providing the body safety workbooks used during the session.

4. We made room for fun, laughter, and connection.

Beyond the learning materials and educational activities, we played games, interacted with the children, and shared moments filled with laughter and excitement.

Seeing their smiles and watching them enjoy the day was one of the most beautiful parts of the experience. These moments reminded us that supporting children also means creating opportunities for them to feel seen, valued, and celebrated.

The Impact: 200 Children, One Meaningful Day

Through this initiative, 200 children were reached with support designed to make their return to school more positive.

The school supplies and learning materials helped address some of their immediate educational needs. The school-fee support helped ease the burden on 50 pupils and their families. And the body safety session gave the children an opportunity to learn practical lessons about protecting themselves and seeking help when necessary.

We know that one program cannot solve every challenge a child faces. But we believe that when we identify a need and do what we can to address it, we take a step in the right direction.

For us, this is what showing up for children means: recognising their needs, responding with care, and giving them opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive.

We Couldn’t Have Done It Alone

A project like this takes more than an idea. It takes people who believe in the vision and are willing to support it.

We sincerely appreciate Avalon Foundation for partnering with us on this initiative.

To the Ekpen Eribo Foundation, thank you for supporting the school fees of 50 pupils and helping us address an important barrier to their education.

To SpeakOut for Children Development Initiative, thank you for providing the body safety workbooks that helped us teach the children about personal safety.

We also appreciate our volunteers, individual donors, supporters, and everyone who gave their time, resources, prayers, and encouragement to make this program possible.

And to our team at The Safe Child Foundation, thank you for the planning, hard work, and commitment that went into making the day a success.

Every contribution mattered, and we do not take any of it for granted.

This Is Why We Keep Showing Up

At The Safe Child Foundation, we want to see children in underserved communities have access to education, grow up in safer environments, and have the support they need to reach their full potential.

Our Back-to-School Support Program was one more step towards that vision.

We are grateful for how far we have come, for everyone who continues to stand with us, and for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children.

There is still more to do, and we look forward to reaching more children and communities through our work.

Because every child deserves a chance to learn. Every child deserves to be safe. And every child deserves people who are willing to show up for them.

200 children. One day. So many smiles. And a reminder of what we can achieve when we come together for children.

Together, we keep showing up for children. 💙

The Safe Child Foundation

Protecting children. Supporting education. Creating safer childhoods.