The Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Cosmopolitan has set up and equipped a Vocational Training Center at the Special School for the Physically Challenged Children in Borokiri, Rivers State
President of the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Cosmopolitan A.H Alaribe-Ogbonna said the club saw a huge need for the school to have such facility to give a meaningful life to the Special Needs Students aside Basic Education.
“This school as we all know is a special school for the physically handicapped children, and society doesn’t really pay much attention to them. So we thought it will be nice that they have something they can do for themselves and by themselves like acquiring some special skills that will assist them and their families economically, than wait for employers that may never come to them. So that’s our motivation. The school request for it and we provided because we saw a huge need for it in this school”, she said.
Alaribe-Ogbonda said the initial plan was to just set up a Vocational Training unit in the school, made up of tailoring, and shoe making, but decided to take extra steps in doing minor rehabilitation of the dilapidated center.
She said, “When we came we saw there is a whole lot to do that’s why today we are Commissioning over five projects here: we fix their abandoned solar borehole water facility, we rewired the hall, did minor repairs, resurfaced the entire block and painted and also plant some economic trees to support the environment. And we also fix three washing hand stations in the school premises to encourage hand washing especially against the COVID-19. With joy in our hearts, the school now have eleven units of full option sewing machines with all tailoring accessories, there are also basic shoe making equipment and all the materials needed. Once the schools reopens in May, the students will commence with the training”.
On her part, Past District Governor of Rotary District 9141 Ijeoma Pearl-Okoro who represented the District Governor Andy Uwejeyan, said the project carried out by the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Cosmopolitan is a true reflection of Rotary’s Vision statement of positively impacting on lives and the host community.
She said, “Rotary vision statement is: Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. Trust me the lives of these students will be transformed with these facilities and this will in turn benefit the host community. This is also a support of the Rotary action plan and I’m excited and happy”.
On her own part, the Director/Supervision of the Rivers State Senior Secondary Schools’ Board, Princess Clara Nwoke said Rotary has gone a long way to support the state government’s vision and efforts in improving the education sector.
She said, ”Government is you and I. If everyone can put in so much effort as the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Cosmopolitan has done, everywhere will be beautiful. I’m really excited and impressed and I know the children will be too.”
Our correspondent reports that one of the Rotarians, RTN Ifeoma Ifejika (FLY GIRL IFY) of the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Cosmopolitan whose birthday was same day, celebrated with the management of the school and parents of students.
