On 24 August 2026, Atim Ekanem Foundation visited education officials in Ikot Ekpene and Essien Udim to start conversations about a new school-based programme covering health, education, and support for vulnerable children.
A child’s ability to learn depends on more than what happens in the classroom. Health, family circumstances, access to basic school supplies — all of it shapes whether a child can actually show up and learn. That’s part of why AEF is taking its work into schools.
The team visited the Local Education Authority offices in both LGAs. The CEO, Mrs. Etido Ernest, led the visit, along with consultant Mrs. Anayo Charles and a group of volunteers.
Ikot Ekpene: the first meeting
At the LEA office in Ikot Ekpene, the Foundation laid out its plan: reach primary and secondary students with practical health education, including kidney health awareness — helping students understand their kidneys and how to take care of their health.
But it’s not just health talks. The Foundation also plans to hand out books, pens, pencils, and school sandals to children who need them, and to introduce skills training in areas like catering and sewing. The idea is straightforward — give children what they need to learn and grow.
The programme is set to start in Ikot Ekpene, with Atai Esien Udukuso as the first location.
Mrs. Anayo Charles talked about the role teachers play in children’s lives, and made the point plainly: a healthy child learns better. Health education doesn’t have to wait until someone’s already sick — kids can learn healthy habits early, and parents can get better informed too.
Questions from the LEA
The meetings weren’t just AEF presenting a plan — officials had real questions. What happens if a child needs medical attention the school can’t provide?
The Foundation’s answer: if a child shows signs of a serious kidney issue, the family’s situation gets assessed first. Where needed, AEF steps in within its capacity and refers the child to St. Luke’s Hospital, where the Foundation already has a partnership.
Officials also pushed for early communication — once schools are picked, AEF needs to notify the LEA early enough that head teachers and parents aren’t caught off guard. Fair point. Programmes like this don’t work if you just show up.
Essien Udim: the community angle
At Essien Udim, the LEA Secretary’s representative welcomed the idea and raised something worth sitting with: some children are raised by elderly grandparents who struggle to afford even uniforms and sandals. For those families, something as small as a pair of sandals matters.
The conversation also covered who else needs to be involved — parents, teachers, the School-Based Management Committee, the PTA. Mrs. Anayo Charles suggested bringing in retired healthcare workers, including retired nurses, as part of that group. The LEA representative noted that SBMC structures already exist and can pull in women leaders, retired teachers, and young people.
Both sides agreed: explain the programme properly to these groups before anything starts.
Four schools to start
The first phase covers four schools — two in Ikot Ekpene, two in Essien Udim, one primary and one secondary in each. The programme is expected to begin the third week of September 2026, once schools resume. AEF will share the selected schools with the LEA ahead of time so parents and school leaders know what’s coming.
Why this visit mattered
Expanding into education isn’t just adding schools to a calendar. It means building relationships with the people who actually know these communities — listening to teachers, involving parents, understanding what vulnerable children need.
AEF’s health work is still central to who it is. It’s just growing to include the other things that shape a family’s wellbeing.
This visit was one of the first steps.
