Slum Art Foundation, an NGO, has officially unveiled the first Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottle-built school for slum children in Ijora Badia community, Lagos.
In a statement, the Co-Founder, Slum Art Foundation, Adetunwase Adenle, said that the project was to allow access to art education in a creative environment.
Adenle said that the school building project, which commenced in 2019, provided access to learning, mentorship, and training in a creatively conducive environment to underserved children in Nigeria.
According to him, by providing access to education, the children will learn the skill sets they need to become valuable members of society.
“The building project was funded by World Connect, a global initiative that invests directly in the ideas of local leaders to drive self-sustaining development in their communities.
“This funding has allowed Slum Art Foundation to continue shaping a new set of young art enthusiasts.
“As a not-for-profit organisation, the foundation’s activities are meant to provide learning support in the Ijora Badia community by training, mentoring, and reforming mindsets of children in the slum.
“This has continued to help in grooming a new set of young art enthusiast,” he said.
Adenle expressed joy over completion of the school project for the community.
He said that the school would provide a heaven for children to enjoy the experience of learning art in a convenient space.
He added that the school launch would bring relief for tutors and young people in the community, as it was coming during the rainy season.
He added that it would provide a sheltered space where learning could continue, regardless of weather condition.
“The rationale behind the use of plastic bottles in construction of the school was aimed at showcasing the artistic use of potential waste materials that litter the society.
“It helps in educating children in the slum on the impact of those waste materials on the community if not properly disposed or recycled,” he said.
Adetunwase expressed the organisation’s appreciation to the World Connect initiative, First City Monument Bank, and Oluwaseun Dania International Foundation, for their support towards the building project.
“We also appreciate their support for all the other empowerment initiatives for young people within the Ijora Badia community,” he said.