Meet Corper Mary Nicholas Ukpong serving in Yobe State, she decided to give back to humanity her own little way by providing school uniforms and writing materials including Books, Pencils, Pens, Rulers, Erasers, Sharpeners to pupils in her Place of Primary Assignment. Going through her speech during the commissioning of the project, I was inspired by what motivated her to carry out this great service to humanity.
She wrote:

SALUTATION
The NYSC State Coordinator, Hajiya Hafsat Yerima
The Emir of Potiskum, Mai Pataskum, Mai UMaru Bubaram Ibn Wuriwa
The NYSC Yobe State CDS Coordinator……………………………………………
The NYSC Zonal Inspector……………………………………………………… and other ZIs here present
The NYSC Potiskum Local Government Inspector…………………………………… and other LIs here present
Other NYSC Officials here present
The Executive Secretary of L.E.A, Potiskum ably represented the Head of Planning, Research ans Statistics in person of ………………………………………………………………..
The Principal Government Day Junior Secondary School………………………………..
The HeadMaster, Jummaá Primary School………………………………………..
Other headmasters and teachers here present
Mr Adamu Gambo, representative of Save the Children Humanitarian Organisation
Mr Abubakar Mohammed Atiyaye and Mr Daniel, representing The International Rescue Committee(IRC)
The Radio station staffs here present
And the pupils and Jummaá community members here present
GOOD MORNING AND I WANT TO FIRST AND FOREMOST APPRECIATE AND WELCOME YOU TO THIS SPECIAL EVENT.



My Name is Mary Nicholas Ukpong, a Corp memeber currently serving in Government Day Junior Secondary School, Jumma’a, Potiskum Local Government Area of Yobe State. I know most people would love to know what motivated me to carry out this personal Community Development Project.
The NYSC gives the Corp members orientation about Community Development Service (CDS), especially Personal CDS or project which encourages the corp members to look around on how they could impact on the immediate community where they are serving.
While growing up, I've always had this dream of sewing clothes and distributing it to orphans and widows because of the way I see most children going about without having good clothes to wear. I said to myself when I am grown, I will make clothes and give it out to orphans and widows. I've always had this passion of giving back to humanity my own little way, and this is one of the reasons that made me stay back to serve in Yobe State without redeploying. I knew I will give more here compared to the already saturated places in the west, East or South.
On the Ist of September, 2021 the first day I came to My Primary Place of Assignment (PPA), Government Day Junior Secondary School (GDJSS), Jumma’a I noticed that there is a primary school situated close to my PPA. After meeting with the Principal and other teachers, I looked around trying to get familiar with the environment. I said to myself "what can I do apart from teaching in order to add value to the lives of the students" While looking around, I noticed one striking thing about the pupils in the Primary session, a good number of them were not on uniforms. So I wondered why are these ones were not on uniforms, I got to find out they couldn’t afford school uniforms. So I came up with the idea of embarking on a Personal Community Development Project, thereby using my God’s given skill as a Fashion designer to make school uniforms for them and also provide them with learning materials.
In Sociology of Education, we are taught that Education bridges the gap between the child of commoner and the child of the Elite. So in order to attain this level in our today's society, we have to give our best to support the average child to access quality education. There's a saying that "One of the best gift a parent can give to his/her child is the gift of education, so I decided to contribute my own quota.
School uniforms and learning materials are one of the basic needs of a child in school. School uniform plays a key role in promoting self-confidence on the part of the pupil, a feeling of belonging, School uniforms keep students focused on their education, not their clothes. School uniforms reducing peer pressure and bullying.
The importance of learning materials can't be over-emphasized, Learning materials can significantly increase learners' achievement by supporting learning.
MY EXPERIENCE WHILE EMBARKING ON THE PROJECT.
It was really not an easy one. While trying to get sponsors for this project, I went through a lot. It was quite challenging. I went to different offices, and submitted letters to different parastatals and Humanitarian Service Organizations. Most people I submitted the letter only promised to give their support but at the end of the day were not able to. At some point, I got tired and frustrated. But, one decision I made was that I must “”NEVER GIVE UP ON THIS PROJECT”. One thing I learnt from this project is that no matter how hard and challenging it is in achieving our goals, we should never give up. We should continue to press on and be determined to achieve those goals. That determination will keep us going even when we feel like giving up.
And today I am happy that I've been able to achieve my goal.
My sincere gratitude goes to the Almighty God for His infinite mercies, sustenance and provision throughout the project. For blessing my brain, helping me to create new ideas and strategies that aided to the success of this project.
Special thanks to those that contributed to the success of this project, The Emir of Potiskum ,HRH Umaru Bubaram Ibn Wuriwa Bauya OON, The International Rescue Committee Humanitarian Organization also played a crucial role in the success of this project, I really appreciate. Mr Moses, a staff of the International Rescue Committee thanks so much for your immense support for this project, on individual base. Your support really went a long way to make my dream come true, though I've not met you in person, but hope to meet you someday.
I am grateful to Prince Abubakar Mohammed Atiyaye, he has really been a strong support. His endless efforts and influence helped me accomplish this today, he always told me he will do his best for me to achieve this project and he stood by his words. Thanks so much Sir for being a great support system.
My special thanks also goes to the Headmaster of Kara Primary School in person of Alhaji Mamuda and Mr Adamu Gambo a staff of Save The Children Humanitarian Organization for their support. For their ideas and support, I must say thank you, I'm grateful.
My profound gratitude goes to my Parents, Mr and Mrs Nicholas Ukpong and my siblings, for their show of concern during the project. Always asking about the project and how far I've gone with it. Thanks so much for your support. My appreciation won't be complete if I don't appreciate a special friend, in person of Dr. Ahmed MoniBaba. His words of encouragement really kept me going, His ideas really went a long way. He is always ready to help out. Thanks so much for your immense contribution towards the success of this project. God bless.
I also appreciate my Former LGI in person of Mr Ibrahim, thanks so much Sir for helping me achieve this project, you were indeed supportive. To my fellow Corp members, I want to say a big thank you for helping me in the organisation of this event.
Last but not the least , is my immeasurable thanks to the NYSC Yobe State Coordinator, Mrs Hafsat Yerima, for approving my Personal Community Development Project Proposal, without which I wouldn't proceed an inch. Thank you very much, Ma. I am most grateful for the opportunity given to make my own impact to this great and humble community. If given this opportunity again in the future, I will love to do more. Thanks.

How the pupils look like before the school uniform was given to them.

1st picture: The corp Member during her speech

2nd - Last picture: During the presentations

This is applaudable.nice one

Waste of scarce funds.