Celebrating 6 Years of Inspiring Change Through Learning

Keeping It Real (KIR) Foundation celebrated its 6th year anniversary with the KIR Foundation annual Prize Giving and Book Donation Day Project. The project was organized at the Special School for Handicapped Children (SSHC) at Creek Road in Port-Harcourt on Friday, the 3rd of February, 2017. The event took place in the newly renovated dining hall of the school which was renovated by KIR Foundation’s partners.

In her opening remark, the Programs Manager of KIR Foundation, Melissa Okonny stated that the objective of the Prize Giving and Book Donation Day which KIR Foundation has been hosting since 2013 is to support and encourage students with disabilities to stay in school and to become lifelong learners. KIR Foundation promotes SDGs Goal 4 to improve quality education for persons with disabilities.

In attendance were representatives from the Ministry of Education, members of the Rotary Club, Port Harcourt, GRA Chapter District 9140, members of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Alumni of the School and the School Community. The Special Guest of Honour was Rotarian Arthur Kalagbor, the President of Rotary Club, Port Harcourt, GRA District 9140 in Rivers State. He urged the students not to use their disabilities as an excuse for mediocrity but to take full advantage of all the opportunities given to them. Furthermore, he commended KIR Foundation for organizing educational and skill acquisition programs for the students. Our special guest, Comrade Collins Akpanah, a visually impaired businessman, using his own life story as an example reiterated that disability should not be an alibi for failure in life.

The high point of the event was the Prize giving to the best performing senior students of the school. The best performing students in each class arm of the senior secondary school were recognized Prizes and certificates were given to them. The overall best student was Confidence Chikere, a Deaf student in senior secondary school 3. She was a recipient of the Adebola Daniel Prize (http://deboladanielfoundation.org) which includes a brand new samsung J1 smart phone and the entire set of the WAEC Preparatory Examination Past Question Papers Series. These will enable her adequately prepare for the National exams. The best performing students of Senior Secondary One and Two also received the WAEC Preparatory Examination Past Question Papers Series from Adebola Daniel Foundation.

The Executive Director of KIR Foundation, Bitebo Gogo speaking on the theme of the event charged the students to take responsibility of their community by ensuring that the ICT Resource Room and the newly renovated dining hall and other facilities in the school are used in a sustainable manner.

Mr. Fred Amakiri, the principal of the Special School for Handicapped Children stated that KIR Foundation had been the most committed stakeholder in the school for the past five years. The head girl of the school, Oluchi Nnorom expressed gratitude to KIR Foundation and its partners for making a positive difference in the lives of the students with disabilities. Furthermore, she stated that participating in the after school academic project organized by KIR Foundation has made her more confident and given her a better perspective of life despite her hearing impairment.

An ICT Resource Room was also commissioned for use on the same day. The ICT Resource Room was set up by Small World International Women’s Organization for Charity in partnership with KIR Foundation was commissioned for use. The ICT Resource Room will enable the students of the Special School for Handicapped Children (SSHC) prepare for Computer based examinations.