Life
in rural Africa is an uphill struggle for nearly everyone, particularly
for a child; it is hardest for those children who are orphans
or disadvantaged. Though, some are talented, their talents are
often not developed. Many parents in Garram wish to educate
their children but are unable to afford the fees.
While these costs may seem low, by developed country standards,
they are often enough to keep girls out of school, or from any
training opportunity. As a result, when a family is forced to
choose between educating a girl or a boy, it is always the girl
that will be left at home. Many disadvantaged children have
no one to pay for him or her to be educated.
The educational facilities in Garram Community declined in the
mid 1970’s as a result of the Government take-over of
all Christian and community schools, especially in the Northern
part of Nigeria; it was hoped that this would give rise to improved
facilities. This, however, did not materialize. The Nigerian
Government declared “Free Education for all children”
Theoretically this is still the position but practically it
is not so in terms of the out- put and product of the schools.
Furthermore only few institutions offer free tuition to the
physically handicapped and disabled.
A few concerned people met in November 1994 to discuss the possibility
of establishing a school for the benefit of GARRAM COMMUNITY
and environs with the following primary concerns:
1. To provide free education for the less privileged children-
orphans and the disabled,
2. To raise the standard of education of the Garram Community
and its environs,
3. To prepare the children qualitatively for admissions into
secondary school and later post-secondary institutions in Nigeria,
and
4. To provide for staff stability: this was to motivate staff
posted to Garram to accept the posting and stay, so that the
education of the children is adequately catered for.
Since
then the scope of the School has increased: To bring hope to
the poor, most neglected, helpless and disadvantaged children
and to improve on the conditions of the 12,000 people of Garram
Community, through programs in four areas: -
The
School played a compassionate role and centre for refugees (Internally
Displaced Persons) returning to the Garram Community village
from the bloody Ethno-Religious conflicts that occurred in Plateau
State between 2001-2004, which later led to the declaration
of a state of emergency in the State, and more recently , the
November 28th 2008 riots which broke out after the Local Government
elections.
The School received its initial grants from The Ella Lyman Cabot
Trust, Inc. and the School‘s medical clinic was established
using funds donated by U-Assist SAS Sweden, Harold and Winifred
Swanton Foundation (USA) and the Canadian High Commission in
Nigeria. Since then a number of other organizations have assisted
us.