My ONE YEAR JOURNEY WITH TEACH FOR NIGERIA- Afeez Olalekan SAKA.

My ONE YEAR JOURNEY WITH TEACH FOR NIGERIA - Afeez Olalekan SAKA. 

It's a year already

and I can't imagine how the next year would look like.

At the beginning of 2021, I became skeptical and at the same time excited that I am starting a journey with Teach for Nigeria as a fellow. 

What excite me most was that I would be working in a rural community 

To join other changemakers in promoting quality education in this riverine area.

On getting to my placement school

I became dumbfounded for a few minutes seeing what the situation of the community looks like. 

There's has not been electricity in the community for the past 10 years. 

I mean... there is high probability that 50% of children between the  ages of 5 and 18 have not sit to watch educative T.V programs or series before. 

I could immediately imagine how this could have affect their literacy skill development.  

I also got to know it's been a struggle to access seamless internet connectivity. 

At times, it took me hours just to complete an application form not to talk of creating a content on Canva and probably leaving some tasks undone. 

As time passes by, we got familiar with the work and I told my partner that we are on a mission and we need to give our best to do this. 

A few months into the fellowship, we've began to build positive and effective relationships with our students. 

We heard a lot of stories that broke our hearts. 

Our students are facing a lot than they could bear. 

No wonder why some students couldn't hold on to becoming teenage parents. 

The male student also struggle to make a living yet they show up in school but most times tired and exhausted. 

But still, we have a good number of students whose determination remain  stronger and are willing to study further after secondary school. 

A teenager once told me that "Sir, I'm scared about what my future would look like if I remain in this community after my secondary school. I just pray that God shows His mercy. I don't want to end the same way I've seen young girls ending up here."

From their eyes, we could read their pains and struggles that we even wonder how they manage all these and still keep doing their best academically. 

Today, we are doing our best to lead them through a journey that will help them live beyond their fears and also inspire other children. 

At some point, we were able to identify some of them who could not spell a word not to talk of making a sentence. 

We showed up for them and we are glad that they improved. 

Although, some still couldn't show up due to their daily struggles. 

I remember our first official meeting with the school management and staff.

 During my speech and prayer, I kept mentioning to God that He should guide our ways and actions to lead us and help these children discover their potentials and harness them for personal success and global peace. 

I've heard the story of a brilliant girl with good potentials but end up becoming pregnant and couldn't further her studies till date. 

People wonder why we do stay back during the weekends despite the challenges. 

But the truth is that these times are very important to us as we reflect to think about the way forward for every child we come in contact with. 

I feel this is very important to me on this journey to achieve our vision that " One day, every Nigerian child will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education." 

.......

INSPIRE TO LEAD CHANGE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY.

I remember sharing a story with my students. Telling them about my first flight experience in 2019 on a literacy project. How it felt and how the memory had also been inspiring In my journey. From there, I began to notice some students and their curiosity to leave and live beyond their community. 

During my classes, I do talk about the SDGs to introduce them to global issues and how they could also be part of solving these problems. This became more meaningful when we organized the first Skill2Rural Boot Camp in Lagos State, sponsored by Kayode Alabi Leadership and Career Initiative. Many thanks t the facilitators, my TFN colleagues, KLCI team, LACED Africa Team, NESII, PAD Bank Initiative, and my coach who showed up to make it a success. 

The students were exposed to several information regarding their health, gender, education, design thinking, storytelling, community development, leadership, service, and life generally. This wouldn't have happened without the support of my School Principal, Mr. Ajay Sulaimon Adewale. 

Some days before this event, Kayfactor informed us about the Beyond School Community Challenge 2021 and how we need to put in the work to make the children win this opportunity. I knew the capacity of my students at that time but still, we accepted the challenge. 

The challenge was to identify a problem in the community and create a sustainable solution to it. 

We took the courage to create a group of about 10 students. We reflected on the problems that are peculiar to the community and how best we could think of creating a sustainable solution. We prepared our proposal and submit us with optimism. We selected 3 students to represent the team and the Grooming Sessions began. 

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THE GROOMING SESSION WITH IDATA/ILAGBO CHANGEMAKERS - Afeez Olalekan SAKA 

We were so excited when we heard that we've made it to the TOP 10 list amongst all schools that applied nationally. But still, the excitement needed to be managed with productive energy so that we can make it to the TOP 3. 

These were my thoughts we these champions. We spent over 55 hours in 3 days preparing for a pitch of 5 minutes.  Going through the proposal again and again

👉Mastering the content

👉Designing the Pitch Deck 

👉Engaging mentor virtually 

👉Traveled to meet The Makoko Prince for some mentorship.  

👉Presented mock pitch to Kayfactor. 👉Made necessary amendments and all that. 

😐I almost got tired when these amazing champs were not really amazing me. But I know deep down in my heart that "We're gonna push through" by His Grace. 

😴There are several times I would call them late at night to modify what has been perfected during the day. (Through calls and WhatsApp chat)

🤔I remember Balikis saying that "Mr. Saka, am I not using the content I've mastered again" feeling a bit stressed. 

🙄I looked at her and told her that her that "They are useful but we need to do this in a better way". Same as Isaac and Esther. 

📞Hello Oyinkansola: I think you have to share your story in this pitch. You need to be vulnerable to do this. Will you be willing? She felt reluctant a bit and later said " Yes, I will". Glad to hear that. The Grooming session was a big one for me. And it's one of the best experiences for me so far. 

ZOOM TO THE D-Day

I will share what happened on this day in my next story. 

Watch OUT! #SakaSpeaks #BSCChallenge2021