By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Dorcas Peter Umaru Foundation has distributed educational materials to 150 internally displaced children taking refuge in Maraban Rido and Kudensa communities in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The initiative aims to support children affected by ongoing insecurity and displacement across Chikun and Kajuru LGAs.
The donated materials—including school bags, books, pencils, pens, and erasers—are intended to help displaced children stay in school despite the severe hardship facing their families.
Speaking during the distribution, the founder of the initiative, Mrs. Dorcas Peter, described education as the “foundation of a brighter future,” stressing the urgent need to support displaced children who have lost access to basic learning.
“Every child deserves good health, a safe environment, and access to education. Many of these children have lost their parents, been displaced, and cannot afford school materials. Their parents struggle even to provide food,” she said.
“If we do not support their education now, what will their future hold?”
Mrs. Peter lamented the increasing number of families fleeing from communities such as Talele, Kaso, Ungwan Rimi, and Madaki due to renewed bandit attacks.
The IDP Camp Coordinator, Adams Suleiman, praised the foundation’s intervention, noting that it arrived at a time when displaced pupils were facing acute shortages of learning materials.
He revealed that volunteer teachers visit the camp twice a week to help ensure the children do not fall behind academically.
“This support from the Dorcas Peter Umaru Foundation is a big relief. The children now have learning tools that will greatly improve their education,” Suleiman said.
He appealed for further assistance from government and humanitarian organisations, highlighting challenges including poor shelter, inadequate healthcare, food shortages, and lack of proper schools for the IDPs.
“We need government scholarships, temporary schools, and safe learning environments. Security should also be strengthened so that families can return home,” he added.
Some beneficiaries also expressed gratitude. 12-year-old Simon Micah, who fled an attack on his community in Kaso, said the donation would help him continue his education.
“We need help. Our parents can barely provide food. Sometimes we sleep on empty stomachs. These books will help us a lot,” he said.
“I want to go back to Kaso. There, we had food, school, and a good place to sleep. Here, my parents farm for others before we eat.”
He appealed to government authorities and security agencies to intensify efforts to reclaim their communities.
The Dorcas Peter Umaru Foundation has called on individuals, NGOs, and government bodies to intensify support for displaced children, stressing that education remains the most powerful tool to rebuild their future.
