Celebrate Children’s Day in Nigeria, COVID-Style
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Children's Day, 27 May, is a Nigerian national holiday for children. Early Years Nigeria Initiative planned to celebrate Children’s Day by hosting a carnival with fun games and activities that have educational significance, emphasizing literacy.
But then COVID-19 came to Nigeria. Like many other programs, we are moving to Plan B.
Effect of School Cancelations on Low SES Children
Musa is a 5 year old child with four siblings. His school has been shut down due to COVID-19. Teachers at Musa’s school do not have the technological skills to transition to online learning. But Musa’s parents could not afford the cost of mobile data (internet) for online learning anyway. The only smartphone in the household is older than Musa. They have no computers or tablets. Between his parents and older siblings, Musa rarely has access to the phone. The only literacy material in his house is a calendar that was a souvenir at his cousin’s wedding. Unless something is done, children like Musa will not have any meaningful exposure to letters, words, or numbers until schools resume – perhaps as late as September.
Plan B: Learning Packets
School closures hit children in poverty the hardest because children in poverty need education the most. Plan B to Celebrate Children’s Day is to share learning packets to children like Musa. Learning packets include 3 children’s books, 5 sets of learning cards (alphabet, numbers, counting, shapes, and colors), and writing materials. (See the pictures for examples of 3 of the learning materials). A Parent’s Guide also describes fun educational activities that can be done in the home. Importantly, all learning materials were developed in Nigeria to be culturally-relevant and interesting.
When lockdowns were imminent, we created 9 Family Learning Activity videos that demonstrate games and learning activities that nurture language, literacy, and maths skills. The videos are online at Facebook and Youtube.
Learning packets will also have N200 mobile data credit (about 50 cents) for parents to watch the Family Learning Activity videos.
Distributing Learning Packets to Children in Low SES Communities
The learning packets cost $15 apiece. They will be distributed to both Christian and Muslim children in orphanages, low socio-economic communities, and those who have been displaced from violent conflict (IDPs). Our goal is to share 400 learning packets.
Much research shows that an investment in early childhood education is one of the smartest ways to reduce poverty and improve flourishing. (The podcast Shrewd Samaritan in a Connected World is an excellent resource.)
Thank you for considering an investment in lives of children.
But then COVID-19 came to Nigeria. Like many other programs, we are moving to Plan B.
Effect of School Cancelations on Low SES Children
Musa is a 5 year old child with four siblings. His school has been shut down due to COVID-19. Teachers at Musa’s school do not have the technological skills to transition to online learning. But Musa’s parents could not afford the cost of mobile data (internet) for online learning anyway. The only smartphone in the household is older than Musa. They have no computers or tablets. Between his parents and older siblings, Musa rarely has access to the phone. The only literacy material in his house is a calendar that was a souvenir at his cousin’s wedding. Unless something is done, children like Musa will not have any meaningful exposure to letters, words, or numbers until schools resume – perhaps as late as September.
Plan B: Learning Packets
School closures hit children in poverty the hardest because children in poverty need education the most. Plan B to Celebrate Children’s Day is to share learning packets to children like Musa. Learning packets include 3 children’s books, 5 sets of learning cards (alphabet, numbers, counting, shapes, and colors), and writing materials. (See the pictures for examples of 3 of the learning materials). A Parent’s Guide also describes fun educational activities that can be done in the home. Importantly, all learning materials were developed in Nigeria to be culturally-relevant and interesting.
When lockdowns were imminent, we created 9 Family Learning Activity videos that demonstrate games and learning activities that nurture language, literacy, and maths skills. The videos are online at Facebook and Youtube.
Learning packets will also have N200 mobile data credit (about 50 cents) for parents to watch the Family Learning Activity videos.
Distributing Learning Packets to Children in Low SES Communities
The learning packets cost $15 apiece. They will be distributed to both Christian and Muslim children in orphanages, low socio-economic communities, and those who have been displaced from violent conflict (IDPs). Our goal is to share 400 learning packets.
Much research shows that an investment in early childhood education is one of the smartest ways to reduce poverty and improve flourishing. (The podcast Shrewd Samaritan in a Connected World is an excellent resource.)
Thank you for considering an investment in lives of children.
Fundraising team (2)
Katrina Korb
Organizer
Oneonta, NY
John Korb
Team member
