August 06, (THEWILL) — A member of the National Youth Service Corps, Brown-Ofoeme Ebubechukwu Prosper (BY/24B/2451), has renovated four dilapidated classroom blocks at the Community Primary School, Swali, in Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, after witnessing pupils learning under the rain in deplorable conditions.
The project, undertaken as part of his Personal Community Development Service (CDS), was inspired by a visit to the school, where he saw children trying to learn in flooded, roofless classrooms, soaked by rain and struggling to protect their books.
The classrooms were marked by broken windows, exposed ceilings, and missing doors—a scene that deeply moved the corps member.
Originally posted to the Bayelsa State Command of the Nigeria Police Force, Brown had initially planned to run an anti-cultism campaign as his CDS project.
However, after witnessing the state of the school in Swali, he redirected his efforts toward rehabilitating the learning environment.
He consulted the school’s management, raised funds from well-meaning individuals, and began the renovation.
Today, the once-neglected classrooms have been fully restored, with new roofing, PVC ceilings, nine doors, and 24 windows.
The blocks, including the administrative office, were repainted, transforming the school into a safe and conducive space for learning.
Children who once studied in rain-soaked conditions now sit in dry, well-ventilated classrooms—thanks to one corps member’s empathy and drive to make a difference.
In addition to the renovation, Brown also carried out other impactful initiatives, including a free eye check-up and medication for NYSC officials in Bayelsa, distribution of exercise books to 200 pupils, sack and soilless farming training for women in Swali with free seedlings, soap and disinfectant production training with free materials for participants, and a two-day medical outreach for the Swali community.
He explained that his initial project was focused on addressing youth cultism and drug abuse in secondary schools, but the state of the school prompted a change in direction.
He stated, “I was deeply touched by the terrible condition the pupils were learning in, and I had to act.
“I sent out proposals and got support from kind-hearted individuals, many of them from outside the state. I’m eternally grateful to them, and may God replenish them.
“I feel fulfilled knowing I was able to contribute my quota to the development of Bayelsa State before completing my national service.”
The Community Development Chairman of Swali, Mr James Isaiah Dankaba, praised the corps member’s selfless gesture, describing him as a shining example of youth service.
He prayed for God’s guidance in his future endeavours and urged other corps members to emulate his commitment to community development.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
