The groups, Junior Achievers Nigeria and Slum2School Project, which jointly organised the community advocacy programme, also held series of health talks and educational seminars for the residents.
Children in the community who dropped out or have yet to enrol in school were given school bags, books, school uniforms and other educational support materials.
The residents also got free insecticide treated nets, detergents, toiletries, free malaria test and anti-malarial drugs, blood pressure check, medical counselling and deworming of children.
Baale of Makoko, Chief Francis Agoyan, said the community had never witnessed such a kind gesture since it was founded.
“I rushed down to get myself examined on Wednesday and I can’t help but appreciate the kind gesture extended to us. This is what the government should be doing rather than inflicting trauma on us,” Agoyan said.
A 30-year-old pregnant woman, Idowu Yokosu, said she was given anti-malarial drugs for free after she was tested positive for malaria.
Another member of the community, Isaac Hunkpoywa, described the groups’ initiative as laudable.
“I was able to get three mosquito nets and now I am rest assured that the frequent incidence of malaria which befalls my family members will be drastically reduced,” he said.
Regional Programme Coordinator (South-West), JAN, Adegbola Abiodun, said the scheme was put in place to give psychosocial support to the people of Makoko who he described as one of the most disadvantaged in the society.
He said, “We have a team of impact-driven volunteers from diverse backgrounds that rose up to give back to the society. The people of Makoko were chosen because we believe that they are one of the most disadvantaged who struggle to make a living in overcrowded conditions and can hardly afford to see a doctor.
“We believe in their future and that is why we took the issue of their health seriously. Health they say is wealth and it’s only when they are in good health that they can develop their potential maximally.”
Coordinator, Slum2School, Otto Orondaam, said the delivery of school kits to the children was to encourage them to stay in school.
He said, “Many of them had had cause to drop out while some have not had the opportunity of going to school because their parents/guardians could not provide them with the basic school needs.
“Today through the help of our private and corporate sponsors, we have been able to get back 202 Makoko children to school and as a matter of fact, a mentorship scheme has been put in place to sustain the initiative.”
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