Classrooms & Playground for Students in Cameroon

Hi, my name is Kezie Nwachuku Thompson, and education has always been a significant part of my life. My parents both work in education, with my dad being a high school chemistry teacher and my mom an education consultant focused on the education sector in Africa.

My mother, originally from Nigeria, immigrated to America at the age of ten. Her dream was always to return to Africa to give back. For five years, she worked in South Africa and Kenya as part of the founding team of an innovative school network. My sisters and I were privileged enough to travel to South Africa every summer to help out in their classrooms. These experiences shaped my understanding of education, especially in the African context.

Sadly, many students across Africa lack the opportunities I've had. To do my part in helping enrich the educational experiences of other students and address this issue in a realistic way, I became an intern at Nawee Afrika Education Foundation this past summer. Nawee Afrika is a non-profit organization dedicated to making learning joyful for African students both on the continent and in the diaspora.

One of Nawee Afrika's special projects, particularly close to my heart, involves partnering with St. Pius primary school in the South West Region of Cameroon. The goal is to renovate deteriorating classrooms, fix leaky roofs, construct essential toilet facilities and wash stations, and level the grounds to ensure safety for students. This school was chosen because it serves Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) escaping the longstanding conflict in Cameroon. I was moved by this project because this area of Cameroon borders the part of Nigeria where my relatives descend from. Even though I have yet to visit, a little piece of my heart is acquainted with this area, and I am inspired to contribute to this effort.

I am launching this GoFundMe to to raise funds for this project. The total cost needed is $35,000, and my goal is to raise $17,500, half of the required amount.

I believe that every young person deserves to learn in a safe environment and has the potential to make significant contributions to their world.

Attached are some photos illustrating the current state of the school and a short list of the issues to be addressed:

- Partially destroyed pit toilet, hazardous for children

- Uneven yard, rocky and perilous for children (no playground)

- Dilapidated classroom walls

- Broken doors and windows

- Deteriorating, leaking roof

- An unfinished classroom adjacent to the main structures

Dilapidated pit toilet built in 1965

Inside the toilet

Dilapidated roof and broken window

Stony playground/yard

All of your contributions are tax deductible and will make a meaningful difference for these deserving students.

If you want to stay updated on the progress of this project, please click here.

You can learn more about Nawee Afrika's work on their website .

Thank you for your contribution!

ABOUT ST. PIUS PRIMARY SCHOOL:

The school is located in the town of Buea, South West Region of Cameroon. Founded in 1965, it had 197 students enrolled in the 2022-2023 academic year, supported by 8 teachers.

All students come from low-income families, and many are Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) whose families fled areas affected by the ongoing conflict in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon.