Six Reasons for Safe Housing

Last month, we announced that we will soon be starting construction on our first-ever dormitory at Oldeani Secondary School (OSS). Transitioning OSS to a fully residential campus is the next critical step towards improving student outcomes – and we have the data and student testimonials to prove it!

Two years ago, we launched a pilot boarding program at OSS to serve a small group of at-risk students. By converting a storage room to a residential space, we have been able to examine if on-campus housing solved the challenges that were making it difficult for students to reach their full potential.

We sat down with 4 students in the pilot boarding program who shared the following ways in which they benefit from a residential campus:

“Instead of spending two hours walking to school, I am able to wake up and play soccer with friends before class”

“I get more help from my teachers to understand the lessons”

“I have time to study instead of working in the field in the evenings”

“I can use the library, sports fields, and other facilities in the mornings and evenings"

By providing students with a safe environment, mentorship, facilities, and the freedom to enjoy secondary school, we have seen incredible improvements in academic outcomes, including: 

• Boarding students had grade point averages improve by an additional 50% compared to their non-boarding peers 

• A 100% retention rate of boarding students

Over the next five years, we are going to formalize and expand our boarding program to create a residential campus that houses over 380 students.

DONATE NOW TO GIVE MORE STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITIES THEY DESERVE