Ekpoma Okpa Association gave out Computer systems (Hp Laptops) to children from different families as part of their E-Learning support project for children from families impacted by the Covid-19 lockdown at Decima Street, Central London on 5th December 2020.
The president of Ekpoma Okpa Association, Omonua Agbonbhaselena, in his opening remarks at the presentation ceremony, which was attended by parents, the children who were given the computers, member of Ekpoma Okpa association Board Of Trustees (BOT), Chief Dr Peter Ozua and the UK Member of Parliament for Southwark and Bermondsey, Mr Neil Coyle. The president informed the children and their parents that Ekpoma Okpa association embarked on a fundraising drive to undertake the project.
In order to alleviate some of the challenges caused by the majority of Black and Minority Ethnic communities (BAME) by the Coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown, we specifically decided to tackle the problem of children who are unable to or who don’t have adequate computer systems to access online school work at home and be able to learn like their peers. The president added that unfortunately the funds we got could only support few families out of the numerous applications for assistance that we received from several families.
Peter Ozua, a consultant pathologist, a traditional Ekpoma chief and also the Board Of Trustees member, who led the meeting, advised the benefiting children to explore the learning opportunities these systems will offer them in their pursuit to become responsible members of the society tomorrow, he informed the parents and their families that Ekpoma Okpa is also taking the additional step to organise series of lectures to help them learn about online security and safety, how to use internet facilities and parents’ guide to helping their kids learn online. He praised the efforts of his association’s executives and Lottery Community Funds for providing the funds for this project.
The MP for Southwark and Bermondsey Neil Coyle, lauded the charity work done by Ekpoma Okpa Association in his community, he cautioned the children to take advantage of the opportunities the systems will provide for them as they pursue their promising careers and hope that one day they will become MPs like him or other professionals that will help themselves and our communities.
Neil while appreciating the efforts and initiative of the association, in alleviating some of the unimaginable hardship and difficulties to families and business around the world by this corona pandemic, he thanked Ekpoma Okpa and the lottery fund for providing the initiative and funding for this project in his constituency and pledged his continued support for the activities of the association.
High performance HP Laptop computers were given out to fourteen children of ages between 7-13 years old from different families selected among the numerous applications received based on impact assessment conducted by the e-learning project committee for the association. The presentation was co-ordinated by Fred Kanu, Tony Ainabe Austin Akhuemokhan and Omoye Osuide who are members of the E-Learning project committee.
Responding on behalf of other recipients, Nathan Joel Wellington thanked the organisers and the Lottery Community Fund for coming to their aid by providing them with these systems which will help them surmount the challenges of not having adequate computer facilities like their peers to access online learning. This was also echoed by another recipient Stephine Okogbowua. A parent of one of the recipients could not help being emotional over this support, which came their way at this very difficult time. She thanked the organisers and sponsors of the project.
In his closing remarks, Omonua and the other members of the E-learning project committee informed everyone that the project is also supporting series of lectures to train BAME families and their children.
The ceremony, which was held amid social distaining protocols, was emphatic in calling on other notable individuals and funding agencies in the UK and around the world to come to the financial aid of the association to help them pursue objectives and projects that have high impact on the lives of UK minority communities, promote education, learning and wellbeing for everyone, to help reduce the occurrence and effects of inequalities. The occasion was declared closed by Dr Ozua after advising everyone to take advantage of the corona vaccine being provided by the government.
HM government in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund sponsors the E-Learning Support for Children Imparted by Covid- 19 Lockdown.
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