In May 2019 when we first visited Holy Rosary Model Primary school, we had plans to build a library and playground to serve not just the school, but all the children and young people in Amaimo and surrounding villages. These are facilities rarely seen in the rural communities, but the state of the classrooms in the school tugged at our hearts. There were no windows nor doors, the roofs were leaking, and the children had to walk long distances to and back from school each school day carrying their owns desks. We couldn’t agree more with the school authority that the classrooms needed renovating.

Then COVID-19 happened, and we could do nothing at the time. Kudos to the school, with the help of community members they were able to complete a new building and rehouse the primary classrooms. However, they couldn’t do any more.

 The classrooms after new building construction by the school

Post COVID-19, we were back and ready to put our hands to the plough. With the limited funds we were able to raise then, we tiled the classroom floors, painted the walls and put up partitions to create six different classrooms from the long open hall space that accommodated the classrooms. In addition, we provided pupils desks and other furniture, and made supplies of stationery and other classroom equipment.

“The children are so excited and happy to see their newly decorated classrooms. We aim for the best standards for them, like the one I experienced at the seminary school in Okpala where I attended school as a child…” 

Rev Father Joe (Priest in charge of the village church parish)