“To be able to re-channel their interest to understand the importance of schooling and how that would affect their future. Not just schooling in isolation, but wholesome education that also affects their character,” says Therese Okafor, from the Quality Assurance and Research Development Agency, in Nigeria.  

So, the best way to help out these kids is by first helping the teachers who teach them. With funds from Harambee, two teachers from about 50 schools in three different states, will receive training on how to engage children in education. Everything from math, to English and above all their personal character. 

Therese Okafor  
Quality Assurance and Research Development Agency (Nigeria)
“The government is aware of what we're doing because we actually have state governments in Nigeria to select the schools that are in most need, so the government have picked so many schools and have written to us in recognition of what Harambee is doing.”

But even as these positive programs are carried out, there's also a dark cloud in some of these areas. The persecution of Christians in Nigeria, has killed hundreds of people in the last year. Okafor says, it's a small group of fundamentalists who are willing to kill for political interests.

Therese Okafor  
Quality Assurance and Research Development Agency (Nigeria)
“Yes, it is a great concern, especially the fact that there have been bombings in the northern part of the country and the targets have been mainly Christian Churches, especially in the Catholic Church.”

But it's focusing on the future that will make the difference. In fact, these 9 and 10 year old Italian brothers, are learning this at a young age by helping the less fortunate.

“The day of my birthday party, instead of gifts, I asked my friends to bring money so we could donate it to Harambee. So they all put the money inside a box. I was really proud of donating that money, because I like to be generous.”

"For Christmas we prepared a bag that was full of money that we had collected. It was so much money, but we were happy to donate it. Even though it meant I had to give up some gifts, I was happy about it.”

Okafor says it's these type of gifts that are truly priceless, since one can't put a price tag on education and opportunity.