By: Mohammed Taoheed
Ajayi Blessing, a 16-year-old student from a low-income community in Ekiti, Southwest Nigeria, has found a new world of possibilities through a digital skills class organized by a local non-profit organization. Despite not having access to a laptop, Blessing believes that her newly formed tech skills, particularly in graphic design, will complement her future career in medicine.
Nigeria currently faces an unemployment rate of 33.3 percent, a figure that continues to rise. Experts attribute this problem to a lack of digital skills in the digital age, leading to increased poverty and social challenges.
Addressing this problem is the Slum and Rural Aid for African Child Development Initiative (SARAFACDI), a non-profit organization based in Ekiti. SARAFACDI focuses on increasing female participation in the technology sector through its project called “Tech Up Rural Girls.” By visiting schools and providing digital skills training to young girls, the organization is working to reduce Nigeria’s unemployment rate and create economic resilience for women.
Blessing Dada, the Founder of SARAFACDI, explains that the organization was established to bridge the gender gap in the tech industry, particularly in rural areas. Through their project, female teenagers receive training in various digital skills such as programming, web development, content creation, graphic design, cinematography, photography, and coding. The training sessions allow the girls to practice their skills and engage in interactive discussions.
During each training, a facilitator is expected to give the students about an hour to practice what they have learnt, after which an interactive session for questions is held. When the foundation visited Blessing’s school, about 30 girls and 10 teachers were taught new concepts and approaches on niches that interested them.
Since its inception in November 2019, SARAFACDI has trained over 100 girls through collaborations with other organizations. The initiative is crucial, considering that only 24% of computing jobs are currently held by women.
Ojo Oluwanifemi, a student who recently joined the school, developed a passion for programming during the training. Despite not having a laptop yet, Oluwanifemi believes that her newfound skill will change her life positively.
Before the training, Owolade Sharon, a 16-year-old student, had no idea that she could monetize her social media accounts instead of using them for unproductive purposes. After learning about content creation and social media management, Sharon realized the potential of the digital space to change her life for the better. She now views digital skills as essential and has started utilizing her social media accounts more effectively.
Obisesan Olamide, an ICT teacher at the school, commended the training for its eye-opening content. He acknowledged the pressing issue of teenage pregnancy in their community and highlighted the value of incorporating the useful aspects of the training into their teaching practices.
However, a significant challenge for the organization is limited resources. The organization acknowledges the need for additional laptops and equipment to ensure that the girls can apply their skills effectively and generate income. To overcome this obstacle, the organization actively seeks grants to support their outreach efforts. Dada, the Team Lead of the foundation, emphasized the importance of creating a sustainable environment where girls can generate income from their newfound skills. Adequate funding would not only enable the girls to practice what they have learned but also provide the necessary resources for their effective contribution to the tech world.
The organization recognizes that many girls face financial constraints that prevent them from purchasing laptops. Dada expressed the foundation’s willingness to support these teenagers by providing them with reliable laptops, aiming to empower them and foster their meaningful participation in the tech industry.
By providing sound laptops and creating an enabling environment, SARAFACDI is empowering these young girls to make meaningful contributions in the tech world.
This story was produced in partnership with Nigeria Health Watch through the Solutions Journalism Network, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to rigorous and compelling reporting about responses to social problems.
