Real MERCY School Lagos

Relief at the Real MERCY School: A Beacon of Hope in Lagos, Nigeria

Tucked along the banks of the Atlantic Ocean in the impoverished Okobaba community of Lagos, Nigeria, stands a place that has become a sanctuary for over 100 children—a place known as the Real MERCY School. What began as a small, wooden structure amidst the shantytowns has transformed into a thriving center of education, safety, and nourishment—thanks to the unwavering dedication of MERCY Worldwide and its generous supporters.

A Lifeline for the Forgotten

In this coastal slum, daily life for children once meant hunger, exposure to unsanitary conditions, and little to no access to education. Many would arrive at school with empty stomachs, falling asleep in class not from boredom, but from sheer exhaustion and hunger. Others had never used a real toilet or drank clean water.

But MERCY saw these children—not just as victims of poverty, but as individuals full of potential and worthy of opportunity.

Meeting Urgent Needs: MERCY Relief in Action

Under MERCY Relief, a comprehensive support program was launched to address the most pressing challenges these children faced:

Feeding Program

For many students, school lunch is their only meal of the day. MERCY responded by launching a daily feeding program, made possible through generous donors like The Wong Foundation. With a new stove and burner, pots, pans, plates, and utensils, the school’s kitchen was fully equipped to prepare nutritious meals—turning the school into not just a place of learning, but also of nourishment and dignity.

Clean Water and Sanitation

Before MERCY’s intervention, children were forced to relieve themselves in plastic bags in nearby fields. This heartbreaking reality was changed through the construction of bathrooms and a freshwater well, providing the school with clean, running water for the first time. The impact on hygiene, health, and dignity has been profound.

Relocation and Protection

Just in time, the school was relocated from its vulnerable wooden structure. Mere weeks later, a fire swept through the shantytown, reducing it to ashes. Had the school remained, students and staff might not have survived. The new facility didn’t just preserve their education—it saved lives.

Building a Foundation for the Future

Beyond survival, MERCY is building futures. The Real MERCY School is more than just a set of classrooms. It’s a vibrant hub of empowerment and transformation, offering:

• A Well for Clean, Running Water

• Construction of Bathrooms for hygiene and dignity

• Daily Nutritious Meals to fuel learning

• A Reliable Cooking Stove

• Essential Kitchen Equipment

• An Electric Generator for stable power

• Backpacks, Textbooks, and School Supplies

• Employment of Local Teachers and Staff, creating jobs within the community

A Community Effort

This transformation wouldn’t have been possible without the heartfelt contributions of many. We extend special gratitude to:

• The Wong Foundation, given in loving memory of Sharon Wong, whose generosity powered much of this vision.

• Ms. Koki and the Greenfield School in Lagos, whose support and academic partnership made it possible for one of our students to receive a four-year advanced scholarship to pursue her dreams.

To every donor who provided funds for school supplies, meals, cooking equipment, and more—thank you. Your giving has sparked a wave of hope that continues to ripple through this community.

More Than Charity—A Movement of Justice

At MERCY, we believe that every child deserves the chance to learn, grow, and dream. The Real MERCY School stands as a testament to what’s possible when compassion meets action. It is a symbol of justice, safety, and opportunity in a place where those things were once out of reach.

With your continued support, we will keep opening doors—one school, one student, one future at a time.