Power NI’s Okoli helps Botanic PS secure technology grant

By Love Belfast

May 1, 2021

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botanic ps 08 — Pictured outside Botanic Primary School are (l-r) Okoli Nkechi, her husband Pius and daughter Sochi with school Principal, Mr Bell. Mum of four, Okoli has secured a £500 technology grant for her daughter Sochi’s school – Botanic Primary in South Belfast. Okoli works for Power NI and the energy company has rolled out a £25K #MorePowerfulTogether employee initiative enabling 50 schools and nurseries throughout Northern Ireland to each receive £500 via a community focused Staff Fund initiative.

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Mum of four, Okoli Nkechi has secured a £500 technology grant for her daughter Sochi’s school – Botanic Primary in South Belfast.

Okoli works for Power NI and the energy company has rolled out a £25K #MorePowerfulTogether employee initiative enabling 50 schools and nurseries throughout Northern Ireland to each receive £500 via a community focused Staff Fund initiative.

Staff were asked to nominate a school or nursery in their locality who they felt would really benefit from cash support to help the teachers, pupils and their families purchase devices, data and connectivity.

Gwyneth Compston, Power NI’s CSR Manager explains the rationale behind the scheme:

“Staff have always been an integral part of our community support programmes and this latest programme dovetails perfectly with our current role as a Business in the Community NI Digital Donations partner. We work closely with BITC (NI) on a whole range of community and sustainability projects, and we wanted to give staff the opportunity to offer practical help to their school communities.

Okoli Nkechi says, “Botanic Primary School has been a big part of our family life as our three older children also attended the school and my husband Pius is a member of the School Board. We are so very much aware of the difference technology can make to young people’s educational development and ultimately their future job opportunities. Both myself and principal Mr Bell are thrilled with the digital support award.

“Home schooling certainly has had its challenges. It was especially difficult in terms of technology and ensuring the provision of devices for all our children, as well as maintaining constant connect with the school and its office. On the positive side I’m convinced that as long as you remain focussed on your goals you will survive and succeed no matter what.”

Gwyneth Compston continues, “Digital access was a huge problem before the COVID pandemic struck, but the past year has really brought it to the fore. We’d like to thank all our staff for their nominations – they are very much appreciated. With most people currently working from home the initiative has really brought us all together with a common goal.

“We hope this contribution from Power NI and its staff will go some way to helping more children achieve their potential and go forward confidently and competently into the future world.”