Pay It Forward Series: Cross River State - Aunty Anyando's Distribution Effort

Initial Plan

Aunty Anyando's distribution plan aimed to provide educational materials to children in Cross River State. The budget and purchases were carefully calculated to ensure that as many children as possible would benefit from the available resources.

Budget and Purchases

Exercise Books (40 leaves each):

• Price per dozen: ?2,200
• Initial quantity: 4 dozen (48 books for 48 children)
• Cost for initial quantity: ?2,200 x 4 = ?8,800

Pencils:

• Price per dozen: ?400
• Quantity: 4 dozen (48 pencils for 48 children)
• Cost: ?400 x 4 = ?1,600

Additional Purchases to Round Up:

• Additional half dozen of exercise books: ?2,200 / 2 = ?1,100
• Additional half dozen of pencils: ?400 / 2 = ?200

Total Budget:

• Grand total for initial purchase: ?8,800 (exercise books) + ?1,600 (pencils) = ?10,400
• Grand total with additional purchases: ?10,400 + ?1,100 (exercise books) + ?200 (pencils) = ?11,700

Revised Budget and Purchases

Exercise Books (40 leaves each):

• Price per dozen: ?2,200
• Quantity to purchase: 8 dozen (96 books)
• Total cost for exercise books: ?2,200 x 8 = ?17,600

Pencils:

• Price per dozen: ?400
• Quantity to purchase: 5 dozen (60 pencils)
• Total cost for pencils: ?400 x 5 = ?2,000

Total Budget:

• Grand total for exercise books: ?17,600
• Grand total for pencils: ?2,000
• Overall total budget: ?19,600

This revised plan aimed to provide 96 exercise books and 60 pencils, ensuring that a larger number of children would benefit from the donation.

Actual Distribution

The distribution effort turned out to be a great success. Aunty Anyando reported back with updates and feedback from the ground.

Feedback from Aunty Anyando:

• "This exercise was a successful one. The Head Teacher, Pupils, and the Teachers of Primary School, Ikot Mbo sent their warm greetings to you for your kind gesture. The pupils said, 'God bless the Donor.' The woman who made the videos did not capture my speech and the Head Teacher's speech. However, the visit and the Charity Donation were a big success. The pupils were extremely excited to take exercise books, pencils, and big sharpeners home today."
• "I added extra exercise books to make it 60 Nos., 60 Nos. pencils, and 60 Nos. big sharpeners."
• "In our initial plan, sharpeners were not included, but I thought it wise to include them, and it really made sense."
• "They look forward to having more of these charity donations from you, Madam Hafsatu Odo Bakari."

Summary of Actual Distribution

Additional Purchases:

• Extra exercise books: 4 (making a total of 60)
• Extra pencils: 4 (making a total of 60)
• Big sharpeners: 60 (added to the plan)

Number of children to benefit:?60 children?Age range of children:?6 to 9 years

School Information:

• Name:?Primary School Ikot Mbo Adiabo
• Location:?Odukpani LGA, Cross River State

Population and Geography of Primary School Ikot Mbo Adiabo, Odukpani LGA

Geography:?Primary School Ikot Mbo Adiabo is situated in Odukpani Local Government Area (LGA) of Cross River State, located in the southeastern part of Nigeria. Odukpani is known for its lush tropical rainforest, fertile land, and numerous rivers and streams that crisscross the area. The climate is typically tropical with a significant amount of rainfall throughout the year, which supports the rich biodiversity and agriculture in the region.

Population:?The population of Odukpani LGA is diverse, comprising various ethnic groups including the Ejagham and Efik. The area is predominantly rural with communities engaged mainly in farming, fishing, and small-scale trading. Despite its rich natural resources, the region faces challenges related to infrastructure and access to quality education.

Community and Economy:?Odukpani is characterized by small villages and settlements scattered across the lush landscape. The local economy is primarily based on agriculture, with many residents involved in cultivating crops such as cassava, yams, maize, and plantains. Fishing is also a significant activity, given the proximity to numerous water bodies. Local markets serve as hubs for trading agricultural produce and other goods.

However, additional employment opportunities are also available in the area:

• Teachers and Educational Administrators: There is a demand for qualified teachers and school administrators due to the presence of numerous primary and secondary schools.
• Healthcare Professionals: Jobs for doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and lab technicians are available in local health centres and clinics.
• Telecommunications Staff: Companies like MTN and Globacom provide various job opportunities in network management, customer service, and sales, contributing directly and indirectly to the community's employment.
• Retail Managers and Assistants: Various retail stores require management and sales staff.
• Construction Workers and Site Managers: Opportunities exist in the construction industry for engineers, architects, and site managers.
• Motorcycle Transport Operators (Okada): Motorcycles are a common mode of commercial transport, providing jobs for many residents who operate as motorcycle taxi riders.

Educational Context:?Access to quality education in Odukpani LGA is limited by infrastructure and resource constraints. Schools like Primary School Ikot Mbo Adiabo often operate with basic facilities and limited supplies. The commitment of teachers and the support from community members and charitable initiatives play crucial roles in ensuring that children receive an education. Initiatives like Aunty Anyando’s distribution effort provide much-needed support to enhance the educational experience for students.

Art and Culture of the Ejagham and Efik

The Ejagham and Efik peoples are known for their rich cultural heritage and artistic traditions.

Ejagham Art and Culture:

• The Ejagham people are renowned for their elaborate masks and headdresses used in traditional ceremonies. The most notable of these is the Ekpe society, which plays a significant role in social and political life.
• The Ejagham also create Nsibidi, a system of symbols indigenous to southeastern Nigeria that is used for communication and decoration. These symbols are often inscribed on objects such as calabashes, textiles, and sculptures.

Efik Art and Culture:

• The Efik are famous for their elaborate masquerades, particularly the Ekpe and Ekpo masquerades, which feature intricately designed costumes and masks.
• Efik cuisine is also highly regarded, with dishes such as Edikang Ikong (a rich vegetable soup) and Afang soup being popular both locally and internationally.
• The Efik are known for their storytelling and oral traditions, which include proverbs, folktales, and historical narratives passed down through generations.

Both the Ejagham and Efik people have a profound respect for their cultural practices, which are integrated into their daily lives and community activities. These traditions not only preserve their heritage but also educate and inspire younger generations.

Description of the Distribution Event:

• The students, mostly short-haired girls with a few boys, aged 6 to 9 years, were in dark green school uniforms with pink trimmings on the neck and arms. The boys' uniforms included pink shorts with pink trimmings on the collar, pockets, and arms. All children wore shoes or sandals of good quality. A few boys were dressed in blue shorts and t-shirts, white shorts and t-shirts, and yellow shorts and t-shirts, which appeared to be sports uniforms.
• The school building was a bungalow with a blue roof, washed yellow walls, and basic windows. The children were lined up in front of the building, presumably according to their class. Each child held up an exercise book, a pencil, and a sharpener.
• The exercise books had covers showing various professions for the children to aspire to, such as a doctor depicted as a black man in a white coat with a stethoscope, and a lawyer depicted as a black woman smiling.
• The event took place in a white sandy courtyard, typical of the Calabar region.

In the video, you can hear a child saying, "Madam, you have not given us a pencil," and a teacher responding, "Respect yourself oh, wait!" Another teacher can be heard saying to a colleague, "Coming, you no give my children pencils," followed by another voice asking, "Which one be your children?"

Aunty Anyando's thoughtful additions to the original plan, including the extra exercise books and the addition of big sharpeners, enhanced the distribution effort. The pupils' excitement and gratitude highlighted the positive impact of this initiative on their educational experience.

Conclusion

Aunty Anyando’s efforts in Cross River State demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting education. By adjusting the initial plan and adding valuable resources, she ensured that more children could benefit from the donation. This experience underscores the importance of responsiveness and thoughtfulness in charitable efforts, ensuring the best possible outcomes for the community.

Next, we will see what Mr. Bello in Lagos is doing to support his community. Stay tuned for the next instalment in the Pay It Forward series!

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