Part 1: The Ijero-Ekiti Adventure
Date of Event: 01-7-2023 to 09-9-2023
Location: Ijero Ekiti, Ekiti State.
11, Sep 2023
In the heart of Ijero Ekiti, Ekiti state, Nigeria, lay a small community filled with dreams as vast as the African savannah. Their aspirations were limited by a digital divide that seemed insurmountable. But hope was on the horizon when a team of passionate educators and tech enthusiasts, SeedDev in partnership with Dzuels Foundation established a SeedBOX, with the sole purpose of bringing digital literacy to the town. We, at SeedDev, believe that "talents are equally distributed but opportunities are not" - 'Kitan David. With 24 eager children who had never touched a computer, we began a historic journey to write history and we can boldly say that they have moved from computer Novices to creative trailblazers in just a few weeks. We kicked off operations on the 1st of July 2023, and the first day of training was a sight to behold. Kids within the age range of 9 to 16 years were gathered in the SeedBox. Our experienced curators introduced them to the world of computers. They explained the basics: hardware, software, and the magic that happened when they worked together. The kids listened attentively, and their curiosity ignited. Our curators knew that, building digital literacy from ground zero required patience and creativity. We started with the basics: teaching the children how to use a mouse and keyboard. It was akin to introducing them to a new world language. The children stumbled and clicked randomly, but with perseverance, they began to understand. They learned to navigate the desktop and open files, and soon, they were typing words and sentences in simple documents. As the weeks passed, the children's skills grew. Curators introduced them to word processing using Google Docs, spreadsheet calculations with Google Sheets, and creating captivating presentations with Google Slides. The children wrote essays, calculated imaginary budgets, and delivered presentations on their favourite topics. Curators took it a notch higher, when they introduced the children to Scratch, a platform for coding and creating interactive stories, games, and animations. It was a moment of pure magic. The children's faces lit up as they learned to create their characters, code movements, and add sound effects. In their newfound digital playground, they unleashed their creativity, building games inspired by stories from their community. With each line of code, they were not only learning computer skills but also preserving their cultural heritage. Every small achievement was celebrated, and the children's confidence soared. They realized that the computer was not a distant and intimidating machine but a tool that could bring their dreams closer to reality. Days turned into months and the transformation is nothing short of remarkable. The children who once struggled to use a mouse are now confidently navigating the digital world. They can create documents, analyse data, and design games with ease. With the newfound digital literacy, the kids at Ijero have opened doors to a world of opportunities. They are no longer limited by the digital divide that had once held them back. "We understand the power of education and tech to transform lives and we remain committed to nurturing these kids' passion for learning, ensuring that the Ijero Ekiti project is just the beginning of a brighter future filled with endless possibilities." - Arinola Addo Daniel.