4 days Ago By Oluyemi Ogunseyin
The Old Students Association of Pacelli School (OSAPS) on Saturday, December 14, 2024, organized a reunion and fundraising event to support the institution. OSAPS said in a statement that the event underscores the critical role of community engagement in supporting specialized educational institutions. “We are committed to giving back to the institution that has done so much for us,” said Omolara Daniel, the current president of OSAPS.
The association, which was revamped in 2018 after being dormant since the early 1990s, has made supporting their alma mater a priority. The event, spearheaded by Adegoke Arowosegbe, a retired NNPC staff and senior pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), was more than just a nostalgic gathering. As the committee chairman, Arowosegbe coordinated a significant donation drive that saw alumni contributing essential supplies to the school.
The donations included practical necessities that will directly benefit the students: a 50kg bag of rice, a large bag of beans, a substantial quantity of garri, a carton of spaghetti, and three industrial standing fans. According to the statement, these contributions were funded through multiple channels, including free-will gifts from old students both in Nigeria and abroad, raffle draw tickets, and event entry tickets. Mrs.
Daniel made an appeal for continued support for the school. “Pacelli School provides free education to persons with visual impairment, but they rely entirely on donations to fund staff salaries, food, and other critical expenses,” she explained. “We are appealing to well-meaning Nigerians and potential benefactors to contribute to the success of these students.
” Also according to the statement, the initiative is not just about fundraising, it also serves as a powerful social opportunity for alumni to reconnect and reflect on their shared experiences. “This is our way of showing gratitude to an institution that has been instrumental in our lives,” Arowosegbe noted during the event. Inspired by a similar function held in 2023, this year’s reunion demonstrates the growing commitment of OSAPS to support Pacelli School.
The association said its efforts highlight the crucial role of alumni in sustaining educational institutions that serve marginalized communities. As such, it said Daniel’s appeal resonates with a broader message of social responsibility. “Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a significant difference in the lives of these students,” she said.
She expressed happiness that the school, managed by the Catholic Church, continues to provide hope and opportunity to visually impaired students, proving that education can be a powerful tool for empowerment. OSAPS said as it continues its mission of giving back, the recent reunion stands as a testament to the power of community, compassion, and collective support in transforming educational opportunities for those most in need. Pacelli School for the Blind, a free educational institution managed by the Catholic Church, has long been a beacon of hope for visually impaired students in Nigeria.
Founded in 1962 by the missionaries, the school provides essential education to a marginalized community, relying heavily on donations and goodwill to continue its vital mission..
