Education for marginalized children in Benin Rep.

OLLYSTAR GROUP: is an organization with a diverse collection of initiatives to address critical human needs of underserved communities including food, education, shelter, disaster relief, and to help people overcome the cycle of poverty and dependence and achieve a more sustainable future. Each initiative is guided by its own approach, but all united by a common desire to catalyze social impacts.

VISION
To create the society in which every vulnerable person is celebrated as a unique and valued creation of God and to empower and inspire children and youths, so they are free to act on their own and become leaders of their communities.
MISSION
To ensure that vulnerable person (especially Children/Youths) who hail from poorer communities have access to free and quality education, healthcare and other related services, with suitable infrastructure that support sustainable development, which will enable them to have the social, psychological, and material support required to fulfill their potential.
DESCRIPTION
Ollystar Education Foundation works to ensure that all vulnerable people(especially Children and Youths) who hail from poorer communities have access to quality education, healthcare, sustainable agriculture and other related services, with suitable infrastructure that support sustainable development, which will enable them to have the social, psychological, and material support required to fulfill their potential.
AREA OF INTERVENTIONS
i. Education
ii. Health
iii. Agriculture
PROBLEM
Millions of African Children between the age of 7 – 24 years usually hawks for survival, they lack opportunity to have access to quality education and the degree of teaching and learning including curricular activities in rural areas is below global dimension of education standard, and most kids from poorer communities usually become victims of; sexual exploitation, political thuggery, terrorism, banditry, drug addicts, and prostitutions due to poverty, illiteracy, joblessness, Hunger etc.
Our Work
We work to build and run a free world class Elementary, Secondary and higher education with a suitable infrastructure that supports sustainable development, for the marginalized in Africa, which will allow them to rise out of abject poverty, create job opportunity for them and their families, bring development to the communities. And to instill values such as; honesty, integrity, respect for others, self-worth, confidence, good work ethic.
Goal and Impact
To alleviate: abject poverty, high level of illiteracy, poor knowledge in science & technology, uplifts children living in extreme poverty, mitigate high rate of school dropouts, provide job opportunity, bring development to communities, and will revive the hope of the hopeless children/youths in the area of education, also in the area of global citizenship opportunities.
And to reduce the rate at which children and youths are exposed to beggaring, banditry, prostitution and terrorism.
Targeted Beneficiaries
i. Children,
ii. Youths
iii. Adults
GOVERNING BODY;
Chairman: Rev. Patrick OGEDENGBE: B.sc., M.ED (Language Spoken; English, French) Responsible for the overall direction in which the organization moves and supervising every activity as to whether it is being conducted as per the objectives specified. And to preside over board meetings to ensure its orderly and seamless functioning Email: ollystar.edu.foundation@gmail.com
Program Director: Engr. Stephen Taiwo: B.sc., ME, G.I.M.I, COREN (Language Spoken; English, German, & Italian) Responsible for hiring project staff, overseeing project development and operation, establishing and maintaining links with Local and International Government agencies, and budget Email: ollystar.intl.university@gmail.com
Dep. Chairman: Mr. Israel Alonge: BS, MS, PhD (Language Spoken; English, Spanish) Serving in the absence of the chairman, and also responsible for collecting entry level data regarding project development and information and conducting periodic assessment of changes in their level of knowledge, comprehension, and application of that information. Also responsible for developing and implementing a system for periodic formative evaluation of the work of the students.Email: amebrichdquarter@yahoo.com
Assistant Director: Mr. Cyril Adejumon: ACE, NCE, B.ED, M.ED Responsible for establishing the Resources & Faculty Center, developing working relationships with formal and informal Project leaders, establishing links to sponsoring organizations, and scheduling of programs. Email: amebricschool@yahoo.ca
Secretary: Ms. Paulina Ogedengbe Administering the correspondence, records, and all the associated affairs of the organization. Performing authorized tasks that includes typing letters, arranging meetings, and making important call to stakeholders Email: abcis.ed.foundation@gmail.com
PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND KEY PERSONEL
OEF project is led by a team of experienced professionals dedicated to delivering high-quality education solutions. The organizational structure promotes collaboration, innovation, and a student-centric approach to learning.
CEO: Mrs. Abigail Olapeju Provides strategic direction and oversees the overall operations of the Secondary Education division.
Project Director: Engr. Stephen Lawal Responsible for hiring project staff, overseeing project development and operation, establishing and maintaining links with Local and International Government agencies, and budget
Project Coordinator: Mr. Israel Alonge Responsible for establishing the Resources & Faculty Center, developing working relationships with formal and informal Project leaders, establishing links to sponsoring organizations, and scheduling of programs.
Project Evaluator Mr. Cyril Adejomon Responsible for collecting entry level data regarding project development and information and conducting periodic assessment of changes in their level of knowledge, comprehension, and application of that information. Also responsible for developing and implementing a system for periodic formative evaluation of the work of the students.
Chief Academic Officer Dr Promise Godwin Responsible for curriculum development, instructional design, and ensuring academic excellence.
Chief Technology Officer Engr. Johnson Adewuyi Plays a pivotal role in integrating technology into the educational offerings. He oversees the development and implementation of digital platforms, adaptive learning systems, and data analytics tools.
Director of Operations Ms Nike Adedoyin Responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of Secondary Education division. She ensures efficient management of resources, timely delivery of services, and seamless coordination among different teams.
Director of Marketing Ms Blessing Chika With a deep understanding of the target market, Amanda develops and executes strategic marketing campaigns to raise brand awareness, attract students, and forge partnerships with educational institutions.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVE:
• Bridge the digital divide and foster digital citizenship
• To empower vulnerable youths and make them digitally literate
• To facilitate deployment of urban and rural citizen services through digital means
• Create learning interest
• Improved life skills
• Improve employment opportunities
PROGRAM BACKGROUND
In the 21st Century Sub-Saharan Africa, computer and technology continue to increase baseline skill requirements needed to compete in the workforce. Various reports published by both the government as well as the research organizations have established that in the 21st century environment, the need for technologically literate citizens increases every year. This is a pre-requisite to be competitive in today’s workforce. The chances of employability increases manifold when the person is technologically versed and is in the knowhow of the computer operations. It is also becoming apparent that technology will continue to be increasingly integrated into nearly every aspect of social and working world.
Current Activity
OEF runs a computer center for marginalized children and youths, dropout and college going students.
Current Progress
We have 176 enrolled and 1,8750 students in waiting list.
The existing infrastructure is not sufficient and outdated.
We received N667K on the 29th of April,2025 ($415 equivalent) fromGLOBALGIVING through STONEX AGENCY SERVICES to add one HP laptop and a two furnitures to the existing one.

We are still working to raise funds to support the students enroll in the program and for those who are waiting to start their training.

Proposed Activities for each batch of students:
• Procurement of Quality equipment and materials
• Identifications of Resource persons
• Training as per designed syllabus/module
• Seminar on leadership development
• Seminar on government livelihood entitlements and how to digitally access information on these
• Workshops on handling and using different daily use technologies and gadgets
• Workshops on using internet and access different information as per need
• Sessions on girls education, dropout, schemes for girls and women
• Seminar on Right to Information (RTI) Act and digital access
• Seminar on Right to Education (RTE) Act
• Development of Information Education Communication (IEC) materials
• Networking with different business houses/enterprises for work opportunity and building market linkages
• Organizing monthly meetings with target groups and different stake holders
IMPLEMENTING PROCESS
Phase I
• Recruitment of resource person, teachers and establishment of computer center. Advocacy with the school and the community about the program
• Orientation of the recruited personnel and registration of the students
Phase II
• Intervention with students, orientation about the course, other opportunities and initiation of the course
• Continuing with the course according to the prescribed syllabus
Phase III
• Continuing with the course, internal assessment and evaluation of the instructor as well as students along with the implementation process
Phase IV
• Assessment of the trainees, final evaluation, award of certificate, market linkages