By Aloysius Attah
People of Ode, Odomagwu and Igbokenyi, three communities that form part of the area known as Olumbanasa in Anambra West LGA, Anambra State had cause to smile yesterday following an educational intervention to their area by a Faith based Charity Organisation, the Faithspiration Initiative.
Theirs have always been stories of sorrows, suffering, poverty, lack of basic amenities of life among others. They are the forgotten parts of Anambra State whom successive governments continue to neglect and pay lip service to their plight.
The story of education in Odomagwu community has been that of resilience. Years ago, a school structure was built through funds attracted from the Vatican City, Rome by Rev.Sr. Azuka Ezeokoli, facilitated by the Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke when the communities were still under the Onitsha Archdiocese.
Now under Aguleri Diocese, the reporter gathered that despite the completion of the building, a secondary school never commenced in the area, and the structure remained unused for years.
Few months ago, Rev. Fr. Patrick Anadumaka, upon being posted to the area, took it upon himself to establish a school within the long-abandoned structure.
The school began with just 18 students and has since struggled to find teachers willing to work in such a remote location with almost no financial incentives. The reality has been harsh as there is barely enough money to sustain the school, let alone attract the number of teachers truly needed to run it effectively.
Fr. Anadumaka disclosed that the nursery and primary school, which serves all the three communities, faces similar struggles.
“It has about 40 students but lacks the financial support to hire and pay teachers. The harsh conditions of the area make it difficult to attract qualified teachers, and the few who do come are left with little to no salaries. Education in these communities is on the brink, surviving only through sheer determination and faith” he stated.
Understanding these challenges, Faithspiration Initiative stepped in with a direct intervention and presented ₦1,000,000 (One Million Naira) towards the educational empowerment of these three communities, a fund the organisers stated will help in paying teachers and providing essential learning materials for the students.
Founder of Faithspiration initiative, Rev. Fr. George Adimike, a Priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, in a remark noted that while the monetary donation will not solve every problem, it is a crucial lifeline that will keep the schools running and ensure that children in the communities have a fighting chance at a better future.
Fr. Adimike noted that the gesture was part of the Charity Outreach of the Faithspiration Initiative for celebrating Valentine Day in February noting that the initiative has been a mission of hope, love, and transformation, reaching those who have been forgotten or neglected by society.
He recalled that the Faithspiration Team visited Onitsha Federal Correctional Centre on February 14, where the sum of ₦1,111,400 (One Million, One Hundred and Eleven Thousand, Four Hundred Naira) was committed to support the inmates, and another ₦842,000 (Eight Hundred and Forty-two Thousand Naira) extended to Bro. Adaka , a spinal cord cancer victim for his treatment.
The elders of Odomagwu, many of whom are not Christians, came out en masse to welcome the Faithspiration team, expressing their excitement and gratitude for what they described as rare gesture of goodwill. The same was witnessed in Ode, where the community leaders gathered in large numbers to receive the team with joy.
The team shared life-enriching lessons on the power of education with the students urging them to see learning as their gateway to becoming the future leaders of their communities and their eyes shone with hope, a reminder that even in the most difficult circumstances, the gift of knowledge can spark transformation.
Fr. Patrick Anadumaka expressed deep appreciation for the intervention, acknowledging how much the support will sustain the schools and keep the mission of education alive in those forgotten communities.
Others in the Faithspiration team included Rev. Fr. Samuel Nwankwo and Rev. Sr. Azuka Ezeokoli, Charles Igwe, personal assistant to Fr. George,Parish President of Catholic Women Organisation (CWO)Iba Pope, Awada, Mrs Henrietta Ozoigbo who gave motivational talk to the children other committed members and volunteers who braved the difficult terrain to visit the riverine communities.
“What we encountered reinforced the importance of our intervention—places where the hope for education had long struggled to take root. As we conclude today’s visit, our eyes now turn to the final phase of our Valentine’s Charity Outreach: our upcoming visit to Opi-Agu Nsukka. The journey continues, but the impact of today’s mission will remain in the hearts of these communities for a long time to come.” Fr. George stated
