By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
The Regalo Hope Foundation, a non-profit organisation, is seeking collaborations to get health insurance for teachers in underserved communities.
The Founder/Project Director of the organisation, Dr Chinenye Onuorah, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Onuorah said that the initiative was aimed to reduce financial burdens of such teachers, improve health outcomes, promote their overall well-being and ensure their job satisfaction.
Onuorah said that the initiative would require collaborations.
She said that most teachers in low-tuition schools could not afford to consult a doctor or buy drugs due to poor salaries.
She called on public-spirited individuals, corporate organisations and religious bodies to collaborate with the organisation to assist the teachers.
“This support will enable teachers to administer teaching more effectively since their health needs are covered.
“They will focus on providing quality education ultimately empowering future generations.
“We are working on partnerships to provide health insurance to teachers, especially those in low-tuition schools in communities and we are calling on individuals and organisations to collaborate with us.
“Through this partnership, teachers will have access to health insurance and mental health resources. By this, educators can focus on shaping young minds,” she said.
She told NAN that the foundation, through the Regalo Support Funds, had paid rent for 11 teachers, who were at the verge of eviction.
“This is part of the challenges confronting some teachers.”
On out-of-school children, she said that the organisation had enrolled into schools, 735 children from low income homes.
She said that the number included children who dropped out of school due to financial constraints.
“We have also stood in the gap for graduates, who got scholarships, but could not afford their contingency fees to travel.
“With the help of the Regalo Support Fund, we have helped women in underserved communities to become financial pillars of their homes by providing them with petty cash to start petty businesses which have now grown.
“Some of these businesses are ‘Akara’, vegetable and corn businesses.”
Onuoha said that some of the women were also empowered to start Point of Sale (POS) businesses and sale of carbonated drinks and recharge cards.