In 2001, we spearheaded impactful workshops in Akwa Ibom State as organized in numerous schools, including Community Secondary School in Etoi, Uyo LGA, and Community Secondary School Ikot Etukudo Ebo, Abak LGA, among others. During this intervention, over 2,000 students were provided with Educational Counselling Services, with a focus on mentoring in reading techniques, study habits, zeal for success, and ambition, all aimed at instilling the spirit of competition among the students.

Between February and July 2003, we had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with the Edwards Ukpong Memorial Library to combat the issue of examination malpractice in schools across Akwa Ibom state. As part of this effort, we launched an essay competition on the topic of "Examination Malpractices: A Scourge, The Way Out" in February of that year, also in partnership with the Edward Ukpong Memorial Library and the Akwa Ibom State Education Board. Over 100 entries were received, winners selected, and scholarships given out to winners on the 3rd of July, 2003. This initiative effectively drew attention to the negative impact of examination malpractice on students in the region.

Despite the challenges of raising awareness about HIV/AIDS in rural areas, the ECEWS and the Nigerian Red Cross Society worked together in May 2003 to create an impactful initiative. The essay competition held in over 200 secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State was a tremendous success, with over 350 entries received. This competition provided an excellent opportunity for students to learn about HIV/AIDS and to express their knowledge through their essays. The project not only helped to educate young people but also highlighted the lack of awareness among rural dwellers regarding the transmission of HIV through blood transfusion and sharing of sharp objects.

What an amazing initiative this was to increase access to technology and education in underserved communities as we partnered the Centers for Youth Initiative in Maryland, USA, and the Akwa Ibom State Secondary Education Board to launch a computer donation and literacy project that provided at least one set of computer equipment (CPU, monitor, keyboard, and mouse) to 24 rural secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State. Over 30 teachers were trained in computer education and provided with curricular materials to teach computer science. This collaborative effort involving the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Science and Technology and the Nigerian Union of Teachers has helped to uplift the education of several schools, including Four Towns Secondary School Uyo LGA, Etinan Institute Etinan LGA, and Atakpo Secondary School Mbiaya, Uruan LGA, among many others.

This project was a crucial response to the lack of access to quality education for financially disadvantaged yet brilliant students, and it represented a much-needed step towards uplifting the underprivileged in society. It was disheartening to see many students being turned away from school during exams due to their inability to pay fees, but this initiative made a significant difference as It placed a strong emphasis on identifying and selecting deserving students from reputable schools, with the active involvement of school authorities and parents. To have made it happen, we partnered with Sheer Grace Foundation to provide scholarships to thirty (30) secondary school students in nine (9) schools across four (4) LGAs (Uyo, Etinan, Abak, Uruan) for a period of two years

This project became a beacon of hope and a source of empowerment for the communities we served. Amazingly, it was in collaboration with Oando Foundation's Adopt-A-School Initiative with the aim to enhance the quality of basic education in public primary schools across Nigeria. Through our joint efforts, we were able to adopt several primary schools, including Model Primary School Ekara in Onne-Rivers State, Community Primary School in Nedugo-Agbia, Yenagoa LGA & State School 2 Otuasega, Ogbia LGA, Bayelsa State, and empower communities through education. We are proud to say that we successfully enrolled over 400 out-of-school children aged 7-14 years, providing them with learning materials such as exercise books, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, and school sandals. In addition, we granted scholarships to ten students across the implementing states, further demonstrating our commitment to empowering communities through education. Through the feedback mechanism provided by ECEWS, Oando Foundation was able to make a significant impact by constructing a borehole water system, providing laptops, renovating classrooms, and providing desks for pupils at Model Primary School Ekara in Onne, Rivers State.
This initiative did not only enhance the quality of education in these communities but also mobilized them to take an active role in their development. As a result, the communities are now equipped enough to provide quality education to their children, and the future stays brightened for them. Honoured to have been part of this transformative initiative, we continue to look forward to empowering communities through education.

Having since maintained a strong collaboration with the State Ministry of Education and other key stakeholders in Benue, Ebonyi, and Enugu states, it has enabled us to implement a successful project that brought significant positive changes. In this intervention which involved conducting desk reviews and baseline surveys, we were able to determine the necessary steps to improve the education system in the region. The result of our efforts remained that 3,191 teachers, head teachers, and school leaders received training on psycho-social support in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, 1,011 community facilitators and volunteers were trained to provide pupils in P1-6 with the necessary skills through our accelerated/catch-up learning program. Moreover, our efforts led to the strengthening of sixty (60) Master Trainer SBMC members, leading to improved sanitation and hygiene, the elimination of gender-based violence, promoting home-based learning, and effective monitoring of school activities. We are excited about the positive impact our project has had on education in these states, and we will continue to strive towards even greater success in the future.