Mrs. Sandra Ikhana Ovie is the CEO of Careplan Foundation, a foundation that is aimed at the development of children and acquisition of early entrepreneurial skills. The foundation was officially launched on Sunday, May 27, 2012 in Lagos. Showbiz and More was there and talked to the founder on some issues…
What is Careplan Foundation all about?
We are giving all children a sense of belonging, an opportunity for them to excel in the chosen careers. We want to keep children from the streets so that they can be useful to our society. We solicit for grants from well meaning Nigerians, most especially in the area of the school fees and clothings because this is the only way we can give meaning to the lives of these children. Right now, we are still soliciting for more sponsors and donors in whatever form, either money, food or material things. We also have a vocational centre where we can train parents who are finding it difficult to learn any form of trade due to financial hardship so that they can be self employed.
What prompted your action?
Anyone who knows me will tell you that I take pleasure in children’s welfare. I go to orphanages always because I feel that by reaching out to these children, there will be a bit of relief for those orphanages. I’m not saying they are not doing well, but it is my own little way of showing that I care for these children. This is our maiden edition and we intend to make it a yearly event and also we intend to organize other programmes as time goes on.
What has been the parents’ reaction?
They have been wonderful. Initially, they thought we only wanted to teach them trade and discourage their schooling, but we have been able to convince them within a very short period of time that we started.
What do you teach them?
We do after school hour programmes. We assist them with their home works. We pay school fees for those in private schools and for those that are in government schools, we buy them school uniforms, shoes, writing notes and more just to encourage them. We also do a talent show for them. We understand that they all have a hobby and we have been supporting them to actualize their dreams. We are only soliciting for support from both public and private individuals to help nurture these bunch of talents.
What are the other things you do?
I am an event planner, a teacher and I also run a vocational school. These are what I have been doing for the past 10 years.
Who are your partners?
Yes, we are currently working on it, but we want to establish and nurture it to grow first because most partners and sponsors want to see your level of achievement before they can partner or sponsor you. So, I’m happy the launch has been a success and I’m grateful to God.
Advice to parent and the government
Parents should try to encourage anything that will improve the lives of their children. I’m also a mother and I know what is good for my children, so they should take a cue from me. As for the government, it will be good if they can reduce poverty by making sure that these children get what belongs to them. It is their right and they should not be denied it. The nation will be at peace if we can support programmes like this which is aimed at child upbringing.