On Sunday, December 10, 2023, the Serving With Love (SWL) Foundation opened its state-of-the-art Digital Life After School Programme (DLASP) centre in Lagos, Nigeria. This initiative, launched in May 2018, is set to transform the lives of children from low-income families by providing free digital and technology education.
The DLASP centre, located at the heart of Shomolu Lagos, is strategically positioned to serve Somolu LGA and its environs. The beneficiaries, children aged 4 – 16, will undergo a 1-week assessment process, before a rigorous 3-month of training by well-trained teachers. They are grouped into stages depending on their IT proficiency level and will graduate to the next class as they become more competent. The extensive curriculum includes basic IT, Microsoft Office tools, basic to advanced programming and basic to advanced coding, as well as gaming courses.
A recent report by a UNICEF Education Specialist revealed that only 7% of Nigerian youths possess the ICT skills necessary for the demands of a digital economy. In response to this stark reality, Foluso Gbadamosi, Founder/Trustee at SWL and Executive Director, of Junior Achievement, asserted, “The DLASP programme is a beacon of hope for these children. It not only addresses the digital literacy gap but also equips them with the tools they need to succeed in the 21st century.”
The DLASP curriculum, implemented by Digital Fortress, encompasses basic IT, Microsoft Office tools, programming, coding, gaming, and robotics. The programme offered free of charge to selected children, employs a rigorous selection process to identify those with a strong desire and high potential to learn and assimilate the teachings.
“By integrating foundational ICT modules, we aim to cultivate a multidimensional learning experience. This approach ensures that these young minds not only grasp technological concepts but also imbibe practical skills relevant to the evolving digital landscape. Our goal is to empower them not just with knowledge but with the ability to apply this learning effectively and even build on them,” Adedokun Oduyemi, Founder/CEO, of Digital Fortress, highlighted.
Molade Adeniyi, Chairman of the Executive Council of SWL, stressed the importance of raising awareness around the existing digital divide and enlisting support from government bodies and individuals. She stated: “Through DLASP, we are transforming individual lives and working towards a future where the digital divide is a thing of the past. It’s a task we all must be invested in to secure the future and we are excited that this centre will become a hub for the activities we have planned.”
Since its inception, DLASP has impacted over 300 children, fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of quality education. SWL Foundation has also cared for over 2,000 individuals through various feeding initiatives, contributing to the SDG on Zero Hunger, and supported over 300 women and children through health and well-being initiatives under the SDG for good health and well-being.