On Thursday, May 30th, 2024, the Funmike Empowerment Foundation brought a wave of joy and relief to the St. Thomas Anglican School in Ososa, Ijebu Ode. The foundation, driven by compassion and a vision for a better future, inaugurated a new borehole water project, a gift from its founder, Miss Oluwafunmike Esther Salami , as a heartfelt birthday present to herself. This selfless act continues her enduring tradition of giving back to her community in meaningful ways. This heartfelt initiative, marking her birthday, addressed a 16-year water crisis.
The spark for this transformative project ignited when Miss Oluwafunmike Esther Salami accompanied her esteemed mentor, Honourable Adeola Azeez, Co-founder of WIMBIZ and founder of the Adeola Community Care Foundation, on an empowerment initiative in Ijebu Ode. Their path led them to a conversation with Mrs. Lamikanra, the dedicated Headteacher of City Knowledge Academy. Together, they explored the dire need for a reliable water source and pinpointed the best location for it.
To their dismay, they discovered that St. Thomas Anglican School had endured 16 long years without dependable access to water. Students were compelled to bring a bucket of water to school every day, a heavy burden that led to punishments for those unable to comply, causing many to be late. Imagine the daily struggle of these young learners, already weighed down with their school bags and lunch bags, now forced to carry heavy buckets of water. This heartbreaking reality spurred Miss Salami and her mentor into action, determined to bring much-needed relief to these children.
The project kicked off on April 25th, 2024 and saw completion on May 24th, 2024, culminating in a grand commissioning ceremony on May 30th, 2024. The event was a celebration of hope and community spirit, attended by distinguished guests, including Honourable Adeola Azeez, Mr. Akinnifesi, Father Olivia (The School Priest), representatives from City Knowledge Academy, the PTA Chairman, the Headmistress, school staff, volunteers from the Funmike Empowerment Foundation, well-wishers, and most importantly, the pupils of St. Thomas Anglican School.
In a further gesture of generosity, the Funmike Empowerment Foundation donated a brand-new generator to ensure a continuous water supply. This act underscores the foundation’s unwavering commitment to Sustainable Development Goals, SDG 6( Clean Water and Sanitation) and particularly SDG 5( Gender Equality ), which focuses on achieving equality and empowering all.
The borehole project has transformed the lives of the students, staff, and the broader community of Ososa. No longer will the children need to bear the weight of water
