In a remarkable display of community spirit, residents of Ntezi in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have taken education into their own hands by collectively funding essential school infrastructure.
Approximately 300 community members came together to form the Ntezi People's Forum (N-PeF), implementing what they call the SMART Project—Schools Marker-board Advancement for Reliable Teaching.
Grassroots Funding Through Digital Mobilization
The initiative, entirely funded by community contributions, was coordinated through a WhatsApp group comprising over 300 members. According to project founder Zack Onwe, this approach demonstrates the power of collective action in driving community development.
"Funding came entirely from community members, mobilized through our WhatsApp platform," Onwe stated during the handover ceremony. "This shows that meaningful change doesn't always start with government. Communities can support their own development while awaiting external support."
The project team, led by community members Uchenna Ogadu and Akpuro Sunday Prosper, delivered whiteboards to multiple public schools across Ntezi, providing teachers and students with modern tools to enhance learning interaction.
Concerning Discoveries During School Visits
While distributing the learning materials, the team encountered disturbing conditions in some educational institutions. Their assessment revealed classrooms with low student attendance, severe understaffing, and in some cases, completely empty school compounds.
"What we saw is deeply worrying," Ogadu explained. "Some of our schools appear abandoned, and many classrooms lack teachers. As a group, we are doing our best, but we need urgent government intervention to address these challenges."
He emphasized the critical importance of education, noting that "every community is as good as its thoroughly educated population, who clearly understand what education is meant to achieve."
Positive Reception and Royal Endorsement
Despite the challenges, the intervention received enthusiastic responses from both teachers and students. At Community Primary School Ulepa Ntezi, the team was met with excitement and gratitude, with pupils eagerly anticipating using the new resources.
Similarly, at Ntezi Community Secondary School (Ozuma-Etta), students and staff pledged to maximize the benefits of the new whiteboards, demonstrating how even small improvements can inspire hope and enhance learning experiences.
The initiative also received royal approval when the N-PeF team paid a courtesy visit to HRH Ezeogo Francis Edechukwu (Ezeudo I of Ntezi). The traditional ruler praised the community-driven approach, stating, "This is the true meaning of community development. When people take responsibility for their future, the entire community benefits."
Beyond Whiteboards: A Vision for Community Ownership
For Onwe and the N-PeF team, the SMART Project represents more than just providing whiteboards—it's part of a broader vision to promote community ownership across Africa, starting with one community at a time.
"We want you to join us," Onwe extended an invitation to all believers in grassroots change. "True development happens when communities are empowered to shape their own future."
This educational initiative builds upon N-PeF's previous community development work, including scholarship programs for pupils and the GoodWater Campaign, collectively demonstrating how united, engaged communities can address their challenges and achieve sustainable growth without waiting for external intervention.
