Plateau: Personal Loss Fuels Purpose as Corps Member Tailem Supports 29 Orphaned Students with Fees, Books
A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Yakubu Zakka Tailem, has supported 29 orphaned students in Kuru community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, with school fees, textbooks, exercise books, and mentorship under his initiative, Project HOPE.
Project HOPE, titled “Helping Orphans Pursue Education: Educational Support Initiative for Vulnerable Orphans in Kuru Community, Plateau State,” was carried out on September 30, 2026, at Government Technical College Bukuru (BUTECHS).
Tailem, who is serving under the NYSC with code number PL/25C/1495, disclosed that his decision to undertake the project was inspired by the loss of his father on January 4, 2026, and his personal experience of receiving parental support throughout his education.
He explained that losing his father made him appreciate the challenges faced by children who do not have the privilege of parental support, particularly those still in primary and secondary schools.
Tailem noted that the experience motivated him to find ways of supporting vulnerable orphans in his community through education.
“I am privileged to have my dad see me through school, but there are those that don’t even have that privilege,” he said, explaining that the project was his way of contributing to the educational needs of such children.
He also expressed gratitude to NYSC for providing him with an avenue to mobilise support for vulnerable members of the community.
As part of the initiative, school fees were paid for 29 students from four schools in Kuru.
The beneficiaries included five students from Government Secondary School Hwak, 10 from Government Secondary School Kanadap, nine from Berom Community Secondary School, and five from God Bless Academy Kuru.
A total of ₦354,500 was provided for the students’ school fees, according to the breakdown made available to ThelensNG.
The educational materials distributed included textbooks in General Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Chemistry, English Language, Biology, Physics, Cultural and Creative Arts, Integrated Science, Geography, Social Studies, and Four-Figure Tables.
The project also distributed 210 exercise books and 200 copies of The Mentoring Ladder, a reading and mentoring resource.
Beyond the provision of educational materials and payment of school fees, the students participated in a mentorship and encouragement session focused on leadership, honesty, and resilience.
The team lead of Campus Missions Leadership Initiative (CMLI), Dr. Hankuri Tawus Gaya, was one of the speakers at the event.
Tailem reiterated that the project was designed to provide practical support to vulnerable children and help them remain focused on their education despite difficult personal circumstances.
Through Project HOPE, the corps member has transformed a personal experience of loss into an educational support initiative aimed at helping orphaned students pursue their studies and develop values that can contribute to their future.
