A transformative two-week STEM Summer Camp was held August 19 – 31, 2024, at the Lead For Good Skill Empowerment Center, bringing impactful learning opportunities to over 100 children ages 12-19 in the Ojo/Okoko community, Lagos, Nigeria. This initiative, sponsored by Oracle Academy and designed by Lead For Good Africa, was a testament to the power of strategic collaborations towards the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 4: quality education, and SDG 8: decent economic growth. Lead for Good Africa is a leadership development and impact consulting social enterprise committed to eradicating poverty in Africa through human capital development.
The program was designed to equip the participants with a blend of relevant skills for succeeding in the 21st century, including training sessions on Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Practical Computer Literacy, Artificial Intelligence, Social Media For Good and soft skills such as Mindset Re-engineering, Leadership and Values, the Sustainable Development Goals, and Communication Skills. These diverse topics were aimed at shaping the young learners into confident, capable individuals with a vision for their future careers.
The camp was a profound experience for many of the participants who were participating in such immersive experience for the first time. The knowledge gained from the sessions was proven to be needed, as participants expressed their desire and commitment to return to the center for more lessons on leveraging technology.
The program’s key objectives included:
- Access to Quality Education: Supplementing formal education for underserved youths by providing hands-on learning experiences, access to resources, and mentorship for personal and professional success.
- Skills Development: Equipping participants with essential skills across various disciplines, including entrepreneurship, technology literacy, and personal leadership for success and meaningful contribution.
- Reduce Poverty and Gender Disparity: Providing access to quality education for underserved youth including young girls, ensuring that even those from remote communities have opportunities to succeed and thrive.
- Sustained Economic Growth: Fostering a sense of belonging and collaboration among participants, building a network of support that encourages continuous learning.
Some of the memorable moments for the participants were the group presentations, which helped them boost their confidence, the online learning experience showcasing to them firsthand the power of leveraging technology for impact, and the closing ceremony, during which they were celebrated for their efforts.
The camp provided a unique opportunity to experience real-world, tech-driven learning, and practical experiences with technology tools and entrepreneurial thinking. In closing remarks by Oracle Academy Program Manager SSA, Bekere Amassoma, she noted: “Your background should not limit your ability to attain success.” She further inspired the young participants to dream big, pursue their goals, and be committed continuous learning and innovation.
Chinonso Clark, Founder & CEO Lead for Good Africa, said, “The success of Lead For Good STEM Summer Camp sponsored by Oracle Academy underscores the importance of creating inclusive educational opportunities for underserved communities, while also highlighting the immense potential of young people when given access to the right opportunities. Thank you, Oracle Academy.”
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Links to publications:
https://leadforgoodafrica.org/the-true-wealth-of-our-nation-is-in-our-human-capital/