In a powerful show of grassroots advocacy, the VARSH Foundation extended its flagship initiative, Project Reach Every Child (RECH), to Benue State this February, impacting over 2,600 students across seven schools in Ugbokolo, Okpokwu Local Government Area.
The ninth edition of the project focused on sex education, mentorship, and advocacy for safe learning environments. The team visited schools including Chief Akor Secondary School, Saint Stephen’s College, Lion Science and Technology Academy, and Saint Joseph Secondary School. Students and teachers participated in interactive sessions tackling issues such as sexual harassment, personal safety, and values-driven growth.
The outreach received a major boost when the team secured an impromptu meeting with Senator Patrick Abba Moro at his Ugbokolo residence. Though the visit was unplanned, the team’s Project Manager, a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, facilitated access through the senator’s personal assistant.
Senator Moro welcomed the team warmly and engaged in a lighthearted yet meaningful conversation about youth advocacy and the role of leadership in shaping young minds. He pledged his support for the fight against sexual abuse and the empowerment of women and girls in the community. In a show of commitment, he made a financial donation to the foundation and expressed interest in future collaboration. One of his aides later contacted the team to explore ways to support the initiative further.
On Sunday, the VARSH team attended morning Mass and held a private meeting with Reverend Oduh John, a respected spiritual leader in the community. Reverend Oduh endorsed the project and granted the team permission to speak at the Christian Mothers’ meeting the following day.
That meeting became one of the most impactful moments of the outreach. With over 150 women in attendance, the discussion focused on the role of mothers in education, child protection, and instilling core values at home. The engagement extended the project’s message beyond classrooms and into the homes of students, deepening its community impact.
By the end of the outreach, the results were clear: thousands of students had been educated, teachers mentored, and new partnerships forged with key leaders. Senator Moro’s financial backing and Reverend Oduh’s endorsement provided the credibility and resources needed to scale the program further.
With the success of Project RECH 9.0, the VARSH Foundation is already setting its sights on the next phase of outreach, determined to reach more children with the message of safety, education, and empowerment.
