Grant Awardee Stories: Chioma Mbachu
How do I get children off the streets and back to school? How do I keep them in school and help them thrive? These questions have stayed with me over the past year and have grown into one of the most meaningful projects of my life.
Your dreams are valid!
Two years ago, I founded the Uburuobiaka Foundation, tasked with one of the objectives of taking children off the streets and back to school to enhance their development and behaviour. It was a very slow process. We had several projects (including Project NoStreeC, which provides holistic care for street children), but it just wasn't enough.
Last year, a very dear supervisor (Prof. Onochie Manafa) encouraged me to apply for the RSTMH grant to give us structure, focus, targets, and improve outcomes for the children. Another dear supervisor (Prof. Ogochukwu Ezejiofor) gave me a second reference letter from my institution.
My conviction that no child should be on the streets pushed me, and I gave it my best shot. The application was successful.
Back to School and Healthy Project
My project is titled Back to School and Healthy: Reintegration, Health Support and Caregiver Empowerment for Street Children in Nnewi, Nigeria.
As the title implies, this initiative is all about getting street children back to school and providing them with total health support (physical, emotional, psychological, etc.). Their caregivers are also provided with seed funds to start small businesses so the children can remain in school and their health, development, and well-being can continue to be catered for even after the project ends.
Children don't exist in isolation. They are part of a family and community. In fact, this project has shown us how complex the street community is.
Project Setup
We learned lessons from the past and weren't going to repeat them, so I had to get the project plans and timelines ready while waiting for the project funds. I set up the timelines, drew drafts of how it had to go, and applied for and obtained ethical approval.
When the funds came, we immediately moved. We set up the team, engaged stakeholders, involved the community, and put all the pieces in place. I couldn't afford to fail. These children depended on us.
I have learned that our community mantra is truly alive — Igwebuike, which means “there is strength in unity.” The community leaders — the President General of Nzukora Nnewi, Head of the Social Welfare Department, Commissioner for Health, Commissioner for Education, and school heads — all gave approval, and we moved.
Recruitment and Enrolment
We worked with the Social Welfare Department and enrolled 10 eligible children. It wasn't easy. We had to visit hotspots multiple times, make several calls, do a lot of trekking, and visit places we otherwise never would have known.
The joy on the faces and in the voices of these children and caregivers made it worthwhile. One child even gave us a tight hug when they saw us drive into the school, and that moment stayed with me deeply.
You know, there is this thrill and joy you feel when you make someone else smile.
The school bells were ringing, and school began. Before this, we prepared the children, carried out background social and health checks, bought school items, and had several counselling sessions, including one between the President General of Nzukora and the caregivers.
Follow-up
The children have now started school, and we know it can be challenging. As a developmental and behavioural paediatrician, I have every intention of ensuring they remain in school because I know the positive effects school will have on all domains of development — personal-social interaction, language and communication, and problem-solving.
So, we follow up.
Our teachers and school heads are wonderful. They have been trained to give vitamins and ready-to-eat food during school days, monitor the children, and provide frequent updates.
The transformation so far has been encouraging. One child whom I never saw smile, smiled at us. I call him “our professor.” Whenever I say this, I see a shift. He literally looks brighter and more hopeful. It is so beautiful to see.
The other day, another child — a girl — told me she would be a banker in the future. I encouraged her to study hard and excel. She is a very brilliant and confident child, and it makes me thankful that she now has this opportunity.
Caregivers
Poverty and ignorance are drivers of street living. Our caregivers are mainly women. Their lives have been really hard. Death, previous health challenges, or past mistakes brought them to this point in their lives, but you can see their resolve to make the project work.
They are mothers and a grandmother who are willing to work hard to ensure their children remain in school. They are excited about starting agribusinesses. They are positive and glowing.
Now that they have been trained and monitored, the next step is to disburse seed funds.
Every child deserves safety, education, health, and hope. Watching these children return to school has reminded me that sometimes, giving a child one opportunity can change the direction of an entire life.
I sincerely appreciate my amazing supervisors, team members, family, friends, community, President General of Nzukora, Commissioner for Education Anambra State, Commissioner for Health, Nnewi North Social Welfare Department, RSTMH, and LSHTM for the opportunity to do this project, which has truly given me fulfilment.
About the Author
Dr. Chioma N.P Mbachu is a Consultant Paediatrician at Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Teaching Hospital, Anambra State, Nigeria. Her project, Back to School and Healthy: Reintegration, Health Support and Caregiver Empowerment for Street Children in Nnewi, Nigeria, is funded by the LSHTM Research Consortium for School Health and Nutrition.
