WHO WE ARE
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Kojo Educational Foundation was formed to memorialize Okolie “Kojo” Onwaeze. In his lifetime, Kojo was a champion of education. He believed that is only through education that one can rise above many of the tribulations in life and become a better person to themselves and the society at large. Although he had only a sixth grade formal education, his goal was to see all his five children attain college education. He did not have much financially, but he was able to achieve this goal, often at great personal sacrifice.
To advance his ideals, the foundation was formed to help further the educational goals of many needy children in Nigeria, most of whom do not have even the basic writing tools to obtain an education.
In 1999 Kojo Educational Foundation was formed as a non profit charitable corporation organized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Registered as California Corporation number 2179436 the foundation has exempt status under section 23701d of the Revenue and Taxation Code
In 2001, Kojo Educational Foundation began the tradition of hosting an annual get together for underprivileged school age children and the donation of writing materials to school age children as part of its annual gift giving event. With a modest number of 150 children that received materials in 2001, in 2016, the event hosted over 2000 children, who were able to receive writing materials as well as some textbooks and reading materials for the 2016/2017 school year. With the aid of our donors, in 2016, we gave over 10000 Writing pens, 10000 Pencils, 15000 Notebooks, 7500 Erasers, 2500 Rulers, 2500 Math Sets, textbooks, novels as well as footwear and clothes to the children in attendance. Some of the children that attended our early events have been able to finish their secondary school education and have obtained admission into tertiary institutions.
Our Foundation continues to expand and hope to provide more aid to these children. We continue to advance the mission to contribute in our small way to the education and upbringing of the children that are future of our communities. We are in the process of concluding the criteria and establishing a framework for award of individual monetary scholarships to a some very needy and worthy children, and constructing public places of study such as libraries and youth recreation centers.
We are asking for your help to keep this drive and mission alive and as President of the Foundation, I invite you to join this noble endeavor.
MISSION STATEMENT
Kojo Educational Foundation is a non profit charitable corporation organized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Registered as California Corporation number 2179436 the foundation has exempt status under section 23701d of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
The primary objective of the organization is to provide educational materials and funding for primary, secondary and tertiary institutions and to provide scholarships and grants to indigent students in such institutions in developing countries in Africa with emphasis on Nigeria. As a secondary objective, the foundation aims to provide additional resources to promote the educational growth of the students, such as recreational centers and public libraries.
As is well documented, education which is taken as a right in developed countries has increasingly become a matter of privilege for most people in developing countries, especially sub Saharan Africa. Despite touted efforts by governments in these countries to improve the educational system, the sad truth is that illiteracy is on the increase in most of these countries. The lean resources of the government, coupled with corruption and siphoning of funds meant for the schools has led to the situation where the schools that still exists are grossly deprived of infrastructure and study materials. In most part of Nigeria, the physical structure of the schools have fallen apart and students sometimes have to study under trees and shades. In other places, the students have to carry chairs and tables on their heads to and from school each day, in some cases walking more than three miles to get to school. Needless to say, that by the time they get to school, they are too weak to engage in any form of meaningful study. Of greatest need is the materials for the teaching and education of the students. Textbooks are non-existent or seriously lacking. Teachers lack the basic teaching aids and instructional materials and most students can ill afford to buy the books and writing materials required for study.
In spite of these shortcomings, it is heartwarming to see the zeal of the students to attend school so as to better themselves. The enthusiasm and dogmatism of the students in the midst of almost insurmountable obstacles makes it extremely difficult for well meaning persons to ignore the silent cry for help.
Without education, there can hardly be any development. If the present trend continues most countries of sub Saharan Africa are condemned to decades of poverty, famine and disease. The governments have failed the upcoming generations in these countries. However, even in developed countries with well entrenched principles of accountability, the role of government in funding of education is limited. It is for private foundations and charities to aid in the education of the youth. As a living beneficiary of one of these programs, I can attest to the impact of private funding and charitable donations to education. It was by the grace of the Alberta Law Foundation which offered me a scholarship that I was able to undergo and complete my Masters program in Law with minimal stress. It is our hope that through the efforts of our foundation, we will be able to provide more of these opportunities to students who will otherwise fail to realize their full potentials.
Ogochukwu Victor Onwaeze, Esq.
President
Kojo Educational Foundation.