"Children with disabilities do not need pity, they need pathways. They need opportunity." This powerful statement from Mary Olanrewaju (née Bakry), founder of Equal Education Chances (EEC), encapsulates the mission of a dynamic charity making significant strides in the United Kingdom and Nigeria. Driven by this conviction, EEC is actively bridging critical gaps in access, dignity, and education for young people who are often marginalised by conventional systems.
From Personal Witness to Global Mission
The vision for EEC was forged in Mary Olanrewaju's childhood experiences in Nigeria, where she observed the exclusion, neglect, and exploitation faced by children with disabilities. A pivotal memory involved a young girl denied vocational training and restricted to domestic chores. "That moment stayed with me," Mary recalls, highlighting the inspiration to build an organisation dedicated to education, skills, and advocacy. This personal commitment has since translated into tangible impact, with EEC reaching 1,273 children to date through a holistic model.
Their programmes deliver inclusive learning, school feeding, vocational skills training, hygiene education, and crucial psychosocial support. For numerous beneficiaries, EEC provides their first encounter with structured education in an environment where they are genuinely seen and valued.
Grassroots Impact in Nigeria and the UK
In Nigeria, EEC's work is deeply embedded in underserved communities, operating across eight schools in Lagos and Kano States. These include special schools and inclusive units where children confront severe barriers like poverty, stigma, and exclusion from mainstream education. The foundation's Nigerian interventions are located at:
- Igbehin-Adun Special School (Okokomaiko)
- Community Primary School Special Inclusive Unit (Ajangbadi)
- All Saints Primary School Inclusive Unit (Agege)
- New Oko-Oba Primary School Inclusive Unit
- Oki Primary School Inclusive Unit (Ipaja-Alimosho)
- Ore-Ofe Primary School Inclusive Unit (Dopemu)
- Amosun Primary School Inclusive Unit (Agege)
- Dan Shayi Special School in Kano State
Beyond essential supplies, EEC focuses on restoring confidence and hope. Vocational empowerment is a core pillar, offering training in tailoring, hairdressing, barbing, ICT and digital skills, catering, bead-making, crafts, and creative arts. These skills provide tangible pathways to economic independence and self-worth.
In the United Kingdom, EEC supports children with disabilities through youth mental health programmes, inclusive learning initiatives, and community projects. A key initiative, the Faith and Neurodiversity (FAN) Project, equips churches and faith leaders with practical tools to support and include neurodiverse individuals.
Driving Systemic Change with "The Bridge"
EEC's latest ambitious project, "The Bridge," is an inclusive education resource designed to empower a staggering 50,000 teachers across Nigeria. Launched recently in the UK with the Mayor and Lord Mayor of Manchester in attendance, the book is a practical tool aimed at fostering systemic change. Plans are advancing for a major Nigeria launch with governmental support.
The foundation's call to action extends beyond direct charity. Rooted in faith, family, and strong partnerships, EEC advocates for sustained policy reform. They urge policymakers to invest in inclusive education, fund early intervention, train teachers effectively, and partner with grassroots organisations that deliver measurable impact.
By proving that intentional inclusion and genuine opportunity allow children with disabilities not just to survive but to truly rise, Equal Education Chances is building a more equitable future, one child at a time.
