The Street2School Initiative, a non-governmental organization, has pledged to sustain efforts in ensuring that children rescued from the streets remain in school.
The founder of the organization, Ms. Oluwatosin Olowoyeye-Taiwo, stated this on Wednesday in Lagos, emphasizing that a multi-faceted approach had been adopted to support parents, schools, and the children’s well-being.
According to her, the initiative complements government efforts in tackling the challenge of out-of-school children and disadvantaged youth.
“As part of our strategy, we conduct regular school visits to monitor academic progress, general activities, and the overall well-being of the children,” she said.
“We also maintain close contact with their families to address socio-economic challenges that could push the children back to the streets.
“This includes securing safe housing for particularly vulnerable families and empowering mothers through entrepreneurial training and zero-interest loans for their businesses.
“By addressing both educational and home-front challenges, we create a sustainable income source for families while providing a safety net that minimizes the risk of relapse,” she added.
Olowoyeye-Taiwo, however, highlighted limited funding, inadequate infrastructure, and societal indifference as major challenges affecting the initiative’s work.
She called for collaborations with individuals and organizations to expand opportunities for street children, ensuring they access quality education and reach their full potential.
“We have been committed to this cause for a decade now, but we remain open to partnerships that can help us make a greater impact, as there are still many children in need,” she said.
(NAN)