Empower rural Nigerian children with ICT

In keeping up with global technology trends, computers have become increasingly present in educational settings such that it is no longer questioned if the use of technology is considered developmentally appropriate. However, the ratio of students to computers particularly in developing countries, is considered very poor. In Nigeria, the number of students who lack access to this important educational resource is higher than those who have access (regardless of the student to computer ratio).

Since 2007, MIND Foundation has been working to reduce the number of digitally illiterate children and youth in Nigeria by providing access to computers for disadvantaged students in a 1:1 ratio, through a free ICT-based training program for students of resource-poor schools and rural communities.

 With funding from Global Giving Donors, MIND expanded this program in 2012, to include new students from 4 community schools in Rivers State namely: Community Secondary Schools in Nkpolu Oroworukwo, Onne, Oroworukwo and Igwuruta respectively. In spite of their economic circumstances, these rural students are gaining life skills and experiences to make informed decisions about their future, contribute to their communities and lead outstanding lives.

Through the use of technology, they have gained IT skills for self-learning as well as  collaborative learning where the open sharing of information is helping students to work as teams and commit to finding and developing ideas or solutions that would benefit their peers, schools and communities. An example is the ‘Malaria Project’ recently carried out by MIND Kids from Comprehensive Community Secondary School, Rumukwurushe in Rivers State.

The Project: Malaria Awareness Campaign

Malaria kills children. In Africa, the death toll is estimated at 600,000 children in a year with sub-saharan Africa having the highest death record which places Nigerian children among those at higher risk.

MIND kids in Rumukwurushe recently embarked on a research to gather extensive information from the internet and discussions with professionals on the statistics, likely causes, early symptoms and preventive measures of this deadly disease. With the combination of ICT skills and knowledge gained, MIND kids carried out an awareness campaign within their school community, educating their peers (through audio/visual digital tools) on the effects of Malaria and how to keep themselves free from contacting the disease by adopting hygienic life styles and employing preventive measures such as the use of mosquito-treated nets amongst others. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSrcqg9mywE

In over 5 years of providing free learning programs to disadvantaged children in Nigeria, MIND has impacted over 1,280 direct beneficiaries and we can truly say that the skills and experiences acquired in the MIND programs have positioned these children for great possibilities in future.

In accomplishing this, the support from our donors has been invaluable. We value your advice, technical expertise and financial support in enabling us reach children in various communities and we believe that together, we can achieve more. Please let us know what you think of our project and the impact it is making or how else you can support our mission so that more Nigerian children will have the resources to exploit their potential and rise above their current circumstances.

You can send us an email at  info@mindafrica.org

Thank you!

Links:

• MIND Kids - Youtube
• Official MIND website

Program activities kicked off in ernest in February, 2012 with the enrollment of 4 new schools in the MIND program schedule for 2012. These new schools are community secondary schools located in various communities (Onne, Nkpolu, Oroworukwo and Igwurutta) in Rivers State and have satisfied the selection criteria for participation.

For a country largely affected by its oil revenues, the recent increase in cost of petrol has largely affected all areas of the Nigerian economy since January, 2012. This has ultimately affected the quality of life of Nigerian families putting the low income families, especially children, at further disadvantage.

With the inclusion of 4 additional schools in the MIND school program, MIND is helping to curb the risks that these disadvataged children are exposed to by giving them opportunities to gain educational and life skills that would help them rise out of poverty and have a better future.

The donations received from the Global Giving Challenge has helped us to commence training in various communities with additional 120 students across the State, however, we need more support to fully implement the enriched curriculum planned for the year.

MIND plans to enrich a minimum of 500 disadvantaged children through its free learning program within this year who can in turn mentor their peers and help give disadvantaged children hope for a better tomorrow.

Links:

• MIND website
• Youtube Video