In Ajegunle, a poverty-stricken neighborhood in Lagos, Nigeria, Mujanatu Musa and her three children are struggling to make ends meet in their one-roomed apartment. Since Musa’s husband left over three years ago, she relies on meager earnings from hairdressing to support her family, living in multidimensional poverty like millions of Nigerians. Through a unique initiative at Morit International School that allows parents to pay tuition with plastic bottles, Musa’s children have access to education they otherwise couldn’t afford.
The school, founded by Patrick Mbamarah, caters to underprivileged children and offers low tuition rates that can be paid in plastic waste. However, logistical challenges stemming from the high volume of plastic bottles collected have placed the school at risk of closure. Mbamarah is struggling to repay loans taken to cover rent and staff salaries, further jeopardizing the school’s future.
Despite promises of support from non-profits and government officials, the school’s survival hangs in the balance. Individuals like Debo Adeniyi commend the initiative for its environmental impact and role in addressing the out-of-school children crisis in Nigeria. For parents like Musa, the potential closure of Morit International School would be devastating, as their children’s education hangs in the balance.
With over 10.5 million out-of-school children in Nigeria, the importance of initiatives like Morit International School cannot be understated. As the school grapples with financial hurdles, the plea for support from individuals and corporate bodies grows louder to ensure that children like Musa’s continue to have access to education and a chance at a better future.
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