"Creating lasting change"
England rugby star Maro Itoje has proudly launched The Pearl Fund, which will work in partnership with CDLi.
The fund aims to transform the lives of children in Nigeria and other African countries by generating a multi-million-pound investment in education. Donations will be given with Stewardship.
“The Pearl Fund is looking to have a real impact on the lives of the children that it touches through quality education, where a long-term commitment is made to help them escape the cycle of poverty. This means children can fulfil their true potential and never limit their ambitions. Education is the great equaliser.”
Maro Itoje
Saracens & England Professional Rugby Union Player
The challenge
Education changes lives
The Pearl Fund aims to significantly impact the lives of children in Nigeria and other African countries through life-changing education programmes.
Education helps break the cycle of poverty, providing children with the knowledge and skills needed to achieve their full potential. It can improve health outcomes and promote gender equality.
But it’s not just life-changing for those who receive the education. By supporting this fund to improve access to education for children in Nigeria and other African countries, you will be transforming the lives of future generations and communities.
Maro and The Pearl Fund aim to create a positive impact with depth as opposed to breadth. By focusing on a small number of children, the fund will be able to support them for longer, and more significantly, than supporting a higher number of children with less support.
In Nigeria
The first programme, with Community Development Links Initiative, will be a 'cradle-to-college' approach, where a cohort of pre-school children from one of Lagos’ most deprived areas will be supported - from early childhood, through the school system until school leaving age. Then they will be offered continued support through university or a vocational training programme. The children will also have additional input, such as economic support for their family, improved nutrition and clean water.
Another programme will centre on the town of Eku and those who have successfully completed primary and secondary education but can’t afford university or vocational training. The foundation will create a bursary to support the neediest by funding their education - and also support their families at home.
Funding goals of The Pearl Fund
70% will support Community Development Links Initiative (CDLi) to fund education projects in Nigeria.
CDLi is a Non-Governmental Organisation working and registered in Nigeria, aimed at developing communities and reducing poverty, through creating learning opportunities for vulnerable people.
In the last ten years CDLi has supported the education (from primary to tertiary) of over one hundred orphans and fatherless children. The CDLi organises free summer school programmes for vulnerable children in communities in Alimosho, the largest Local Government Area in Lagos. Around 1200 children have also benefitted from educational and psychosocial support during school holidays, and a supplementary school programme.
FAQs
What is The Pearl Fund?
The full name of the fund is 'The Pearl Fund, The Maro Itoje African Education Programme' (known as The Pearl Fund). The fund was envisioned by the British-Nigerian philanthropist and England rugby star Maro Itoje. The Pearl Fund will work in partnership with international aid organisation, CDLi, with support from Stewardship. The fund aims to generate a multi-million-pound charitable investment in the education of children in Nigeria and wider African countries, offering long-term support to help break the cycle of poverty.
Is The Pearl Fund only supporting Nigeria?
The Pearl Fund aims to generate multi-million-pound investment in the education of children, and, as the fund grows, it aims to extend support to other education projects in Africa.