- On 28th of July, 2023, a team of David Development Foundation for Women and Children from Abuja visited Oche nursery and primary school situated in Opialu Community, Okpokwu, Benue State.
- The chairman of David Development Foundation for Women and Children in the person of Dr .Agaba Matthew gave the opening remark and was also on ground to oversee the situation of the learning environment of the pupils.
- The proprietor of the school warmly received the team and was impressed with the foundation keeping in touch with the school after their first visit last year. The school had over 250 pupils housed in a badly maintained classrooms with dust all over the place.
- Opialu Community have been previously associated with outbreak of Cholera resulting from lack of good toilet facilities and clean water , people are often forced to defecate in an open areas which are been washed off into the river during the raining season. The locals depend mainly on water from the river as their primary source of drinking water and other domestic functions, this has led to fatal outbreaks of enteric diseases in Opialu Community and children are often the victims. It is in this light that the team for David Foundation from Abuja chose to enlighten the pupils on the Harmful effect of drinking water directly from the river.
- Dr. Ogbadoyi peter was able to elaborate on the topic and as one who have lived in the community before was able to understand their situation and do justice to the topic .He encouraged the Pupils to always boil and filter water from the river before taking it and they should ensure their clay pots and rubbers for holding water is always kept clean and covered in order to prevent external contaminations.
- The pupils were enlightened on other common unhygienic practices within classrooms such as coughing and sneezing without covering the mouth, putting pen in the mouth , not washing hands after toileting and wearing of dirty uniforms. They were also discouraged from taking drugs that has not been prescribed to them by a qualified medical personnel.
- Talks were also given on the importance of education by one of our facilitators, the person of Mr. Agaba Tony, he asked the pupils on what they would like to become in future and they all indicated their career of interest, he noted that in order for them to make it to their dream career they must first embrace education and take their studies very seriously and they promised to stick to the advice. The floor was open for question and answer and all their questions and queries were properly addressed by our team. Learning materials were distributed amongst pupils alongside with bathing and washing soap.
- Closing remark was given by school proprietor, he thanked the team for coming to their aid and encouraged that they continue the good work of serving as role model to children.
