Please help me build a science laboratory block

Hi there, I am Okike. I am a children's doctor in the UK. I ran the virtual Virgin Money London Marathon on October 3 2021. I am probably unofficially the first person to complete the London marathon wearing a rainbow helicopter hat!

My sole aim was to raise money in order to give hope to children and young people in a community secondary school in Nigeria.

Every donation (cash or equipment) will be used to build and equip a science block for Physics, chemistry and biology for Community Secondary School Amanato Isu Ebonyi State Nigeria.

Where is this school & why?

Community Secondary School Amanato Isu Onicha LGA Ebonyi State Nigeria is a community owned secondary school. It is not privately owned.

I have very strong connection to this school as it is located where my family roots came from. The secondary school was established by the community in 2009. As at the time of preparing this, they had 230 students and just over one fifth do science subjects. This comes with a lot of challenges. The school is unfortunately not funded by the government, has very minimal infrastructure as you can see in the pictures. There is no science laboratory for Physics, Chemistry or Biology. Practicing what they read from textbooks is a fantasy without a laboratory. It does not deter them wishing to do their best. In their determination the students are known to have traveled to other schools to practice. As you know this is not ideal. This has an impact on their ability to take the national examination called WAEC or NECON (equivalent of GCSEs). The students have had to go to other schools in order to take the national examination in Nigeria. This breaks my heart knowing that many will give up the idea of doing science subjects given the hoops and obstacles.

I have followed the story of the school and believe that with your help we can make a difference to these young people. Sadly they are not the only ones facing these kind of challenges but we can only do these things and bring about change one school and place at a time.

What is the true meaning of these challenges?

The Ebonyi State Ministry of Education has not given the school full approval because they do not have a science laboratory and an examination hall. The students have to seek and find another school to affiliate with when it comes to national examinations in the school leaving year. The sense of a community school is gone and individuals have to rely on what they can find or give up.

What does the head teacher say about this situation?

It is devastating for me as the head to be in this situation. As a former Agricultural science teacher, I understand the impact of lack of science laboratory has on morale and ability to learn. The students do well in theory but have no place to practice. We are loosing a lot of potentials due to this predicament.

What will this mean to the students of this school?

First and foremost they will get the necessary approval from the state government to function as a secondary school. Students don't have to seek affiliation with far away schools to take national examinations.

It will mean the world for the students to have the opportunity to learn and practice science like others across schools with such facilities. This will guarantee that those who are interested in science subjects will have the opportunity available to them.

The head teacher says that this will strengthen the work he is doing to mentor and teach young people who will serve the community in the future.

What have I done to show you my determination?

Those who know me well know that I am not a natural long distance runner. I registered and completed the virtual London marathon. That is a whooping 26.2 miles. Given other activities of the day, I planned my run as below.

On the day of the marathon, I woke up at 0500, had my breakfast at 530 am and started my run at 0644.

I paused at 1100 after 20 miles and took my under 7 football team to their football league game. Upon return after the game, I completed the remaining 6 miles. Nothing was going to deter me from completing the marathon.

I have done my part, would you do your part in supporting me please? I can only achieve it with the help of your generosity.

What else could you do?

Please let me know if you have any equipment you wish to donate to help us realize this great initiative. We appreciate every donation, cash donations or equipment. Nothing is too small or too big.

Please remember to leave your name as I plan to put up a plaque with names of all donors to show appreciation.

Together we can build hope for these young people.