Considering the harsh economic conditions in Nigeria, an international organization based in Italy, Don Bonifacio Azione Verde has granted her numerous students at Azione Verde International schools a full-term tuition free. In addition, the organization also granted more scholarship to well performing students from the school. It will be noted that more than 70% of the students of the school are on scholarship, courtesy of the organization. The private school established in 2022 is also the lowest paying fees among equals.
The founder of the organization Rev, Fr. Boniface Duru told The Qoheleth that Don Bonifacio Azione Verde is an international organization that strongly believes that the education of children is the secret to achieving healthy and sustainable development in every country because children are the adults of tomorrow and represent the future ruling class of the country. A nation that does not pay attention to children is a nation without a future. As a tool for the fulfilment of this, the organization also knows that holistic education tends to develop the abilities and potential of every man and is a guide to improving the quality of life, respecting one’s identity, history, culture and tradition.
He further stated that the most appropriate time to apply holistic education is therefore at the childhood level. “Children must grow up with the prospect and certainty of building a better future in their country of origin without corruption and social injustice,” he said.
As part of their mentoring programme, members of Don Bonifacio Azione Verde usually organize an annual summer camping for children which they refer to as “Journey of Hope.” This programme is geared towards establishing strong bond between the children and the mission of the organization. This year’s edition took place at the compound of Azione Verde University located at Amaigbo in Nwangele local government area of Imo State. It was attended by over 300 children drawn from various schools in Imo State. Their age was between 6 and 15. There were also group of volunteers made up of doctors and nurses from Italy, that provided healthcare to the local community; technicians and engineers involved in the construction of the school facilities, as well as educationists and their local collaborators who organized training and recreational activities for children during the event.
It was an opportunity for the children from Azione Verde primary and secondary schools to interact with their colleagues from other schools drawn from various parts of Imo state.
According to the founder and proprietor of the schools, Fr. Boniface Duru; “We build holistic education from the basis. We groom the children academically and morally from the nursery school to the university level. We designed the Journey of Hope to create opportunities for children to bond and also learn some skills that will help in their upbringing.” He further emphasized that holistic education is what is required to transform Nigeria and produce leaders that will meet the needs of the people.
During the camping, the children were exposed to various types of games which include indoors and outdoors. They were shared into different groups to enable effective participation. Their programme was managed by members of Don Bonifacio Azione Verde from Italy led by the President, Mrs. Imma D’Antona and the Director; Mr. Kevin Pratico. The children’s daily activities commenced with a mass where the children fully participated followed by other ones such as games, arts, crafts, drama and entertainment.
Speaking to The Qoheleth, some children expressed satisfaction with the programme and were happy with what they have learnt.
The high point of this year’s programme was the graduation ceremony of the first set of students from junior secondary school to senior secondary school. A number of 18 pupils graduated from primary to secondary school while a number of 12 pupils graduated from SS1 to SS2.
Speaking at the occasion, the President of Don Bonifacio Azione Verde worldwide, Mrs. Imma D’Antona expressed happiness on the level of development attained by the school over a short period of time. She used the opportunity to thank the teachers for the wonderful job towards realizing the mission of the organization. She also thanked the parents who sent in their children to benefit from the holistic education as well as the children for embracing the system of education. She promised that the organization will continue to support the schools till the full realization of its objectives.
Lending his voice to that of Mrs. D’Antona, the Founder of the organization Very Rev. Fr. Boniface Duru advised parents and people from the community and beyond to enroll with the school at the basic level in order to benefit from the transformational system. “You can only benefit from holistic education if you start from the basics. This is the level we imbibe effective academic and moral trainings on the children. It is a continuous process till they graduate. We want to produce exceptional leaders who will take the country to greater heights,” he said. He further informed the people that Azione Verde, despite being classified as a private school and having the qualities of such pays the lowest fees in the country both at primary and secondary levels.
The Catholic priest who is from Orlu Diocese but lives in Rome promised not to rest on his oars till the vision of his organization is achieved. He used the opportunity to give scholarship to the overall best student of the school. He also granted free tuition for the first term in the new academic year to all the students. This ran into millions of naira. To encourage the three youth Corpers who served in the school, the priest announced a scholarship for them to pursue their Masters degree to the tune of one million naira each.
The parents who were overjoyed by the gesture thanked and prayed for the priest. They appreciated the high level of academic and moral training given to their children.
The organization’s team from Italy used the opportunity to visit the Bishop of Orlu Diocese, Most. Rev. Dr. Augustine Ukwuoma. The bishop welcomed the team and encouraged them in their effort in training children in his diocese. He promised to grant them all the necessary support towards the further development of the schools. The leader of the team, Mrs. Imma D’Antona thanked the bishop for receiving them in the Diocese promising to sustain their mission of bringing together different people from different places as an expression of boundless love for humanity.
Don Bonifacio Azione Verde is created out of faith and love for human development and for children to go to school beyond limitations, bearing in mind that education is the future where the children belong.
