Nurturing future leaders: a community-driven approach to empowering vulnerable children through social empowerment, health, and education model
1
Eat Right Society, Abuja/Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1003
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Children from low-income communities often face systemic barriers that limit access to education, health, and empowerment. In Nigeria, these challenges are particularly pronounced in public schools, where poverty, poor sanitation, malnutrition, and inadequate mentorship hinder development and perpetuate inequities in health, leadership, and sustainable well-being. Addressing these issues requires inclusive, community-driven educational models rooted in diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability to ensure that every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.
METHODS:
Established in 2015, the Eat Right Society (ERS) developed an innovative, community-driven empowerment framework integrating Social Empowerment (S), Health (H), and Education (E) (collectively known as the SHE-Model), as interconnected pillars for holistic child development rooted in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). The approach actively involves parents, teachers, and local leaders to ensure sustainability and social inclusion. Through its annual Children’s Day Empowerment Program, ERS implements the model by combining academics, leadership, health, and recreation. Activities include spelling bee competitions, health talks, deworming exercises, nutrition education, games, and match-pass events. Spelling bee winners are enrolled in the Scholars Empowerment Program for long-term mentorship and academic support from primary through tertiary education.
RESULTS:
The initiative has grown from 80 children across three schools in its first year to over 7000 pupils from 20 schools in 2024. Feedback from teachers, parents, and community leaders indicates improved academic performance, confidence, collaboration, and healthier lifestyles. Twenty-one scholars currently receive sustained mentorship, demonstrating measurable educational and psychosocial impact.
CONCLUSIONS:
The Eat Right Society’s SHE-Model illustrates how community-driven, equity-focused initiatives can advance education, health, and inclusion among vulnerable children. By combining empowerment, health, and education within a DEI framework, the model provides a replicable, scalable, and sustainable pathway for strengthening public health systems and promoting equitable child and community development across Africa.
Children from low-income communities often face systemic barriers that limit access to education, health, and empowerment. In Nigeria, these challenges are particularly pronounced in public schools, where poverty, poor sanitation, malnutrition, and inadequate mentorship hinder development and perpetuate inequities in health, leadership, and sustainable well-being. Addressing these issues requires inclusive, community-driven educational models rooted in diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability to ensure that every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.
METHODS:
Established in 2015, the Eat Right Society (ERS) developed an innovative, community-driven empowerment framework integrating Social Empowerment (S), Health (H), and Education (E) (collectively known as the SHE-Model), as interconnected pillars for holistic child development rooted in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). The approach actively involves parents, teachers, and local leaders to ensure sustainability and social inclusion. Through its annual Children’s Day Empowerment Program, ERS implements the model by combining academics, leadership, health, and recreation. Activities include spelling bee competitions, health talks, deworming exercises, nutrition education, games, and match-pass events. Spelling bee winners are enrolled in the Scholars Empowerment Program for long-term mentorship and academic support from primary through tertiary education.
RESULTS:
The initiative has grown from 80 children across three schools in its first year to over 7000 pupils from 20 schools in 2024. Feedback from teachers, parents, and community leaders indicates improved academic performance, confidence, collaboration, and healthier lifestyles. Twenty-one scholars currently receive sustained mentorship, demonstrating measurable educational and psychosocial impact.
CONCLUSIONS:
The Eat Right Society’s SHE-Model illustrates how community-driven, equity-focused initiatives can advance education, health, and inclusion among vulnerable children. By combining empowerment, health, and education within a DEI framework, the model provides a replicable, scalable, and sustainable pathway for strengthening public health systems and promoting equitable child and community development across Africa.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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