Christian Service Coordinator, Ogechi Akalegbere, is a service champion at Connelly School of the Holy Child. Her primary goal is to help her students connect to meaningful service experiences and projects throughout the school year. Through service, students learn about themselves and God’s love. Service is also an essential component to teach justice, peace, compassion, and faith to the girls. Sixth through 11th grade are required to complete a variety of service hours anywhere from home, school, church to local nonprofits. Making sure students are involved with direct service is key to the Christian Service Program.
COVID-19 has caused a ripple effect in the various activities students are normally involved with during the school year.
This academic school year, Ogechi was able to launch several virtual projects that proved to successfully connect the girls to meaningful experiences.
One project involved paring up the girls for mentoring and tutoring. This gave students from various grades the ability to bond and learn from one another, and provided a way for girls in different grade levels to connect and interact virtually.
Another project that allowed the students to foster relationships was the “Intergenerational Conversations” initiative. Through this project, students were paired up to virtually e-meet senior citizens at local centers. The project connected the students to an older generation and encouraged them to learn about current and historic events of their youth. This was a way for the students to be able to have conversations in the context of the senior’s life. On the other end, the senior citizens were able to connect to today’s youth. They shared advice and wisdom and, in a way, lessened social isolation, a leading effect of COVID-19 among seniors.
Ogechi’s passion for her student’s learning is evident. She strives to help the girls truly understand the meaning of serving. Virtual service continues to grow this year while schools are creating unique and interesting ways to continue to engage students.
If you’re interested in creating virtual projects like Connelly School of the Holy Child, click below to download the “How To Guide” or contact our team at support@intellivol.com.
