In the heart of Zaria, a city brimming with history and promise, young minds were given an opportunity to grasp more than just academic knowledge. FLO Foundation, driven by its unwavering commitment to educate not only the minds but also the hands of our children, embarked on a transformative skill acquisition project. The goal was clear: to equip secondary school students with practical skills that could shape their futures.
Nurturing Minds, Hearts, and Hands
At FLO Foundation, our vision extends beyond traditional education. We believe that empowering young minds goes hand in hand with nurturing their hearts and hands. Practical skills, such as shoe making, are not just talents; they are avenues for self-sufficiency, economic empowerment, and contributing positively to society. It was with this vision that we launched our skill acquisition program, aimed at providing valuable skills to secondary school students and preparing them for the world beyond the classroom.
Choosing a Path: Government Secondary School Jama’a
Every project begins with a well-informed choice, and for our skill acquisition program, Government Secondary School Jama’a in Zaria was the perfect fit. Our journey commenced with a comprehensive needs assessment on Friday, July 8th, 2022. The objective was to identify the ideal candidates for the program and determine the best way to implement it effectively.
After careful evaluation, we selected the SSS1 and SSS2 students as the recipients of our skill acquisition initiative. Two days, Monday, July 25th, and Tuesday, July 26th, 2022, were earmarked for the program’s execution.
The Path to Empowerment: Project Timeline
Our commitment to this endeavour was unwavering, and the project timeline reflects the dedication of the FLO Foundation team:
- June 25th, 2022: Pre-project meeting
- July 8th, 2022: Needs assessment
- July 18th, 2022: Official letter submitted and project approved
- July 25th, 2022: First day of the program completed
- July 26th, 2022: Second day of the project completed
Building Bridges: Initial Meetings
To lay the foundation for our project, our project lead, Abdulaziz Abdulwahab, initiated preliminary meetings with the school’s leadership. The principal of Government Secondary School Jama’a welcomed our initiative with open arms. We discussed the key details of the program, from selecting the classes to receive skill acquisition training to the number of students to be enrolled.
Ultimately, we chose S.S.S.1 and S.S.S.2 as the recipient classes, with 50 students from each class. The dates, July 25th and 26th, 2022, were finalized for the program’s execution. In addition to these discussions, FLO Foundation presented an official letter to the school on July 18, 2022, and received a warm acceptance in return.
Masters of the Craft: Skill Practitioners
Central to our skill acquisition project was the involvement of skilled practitioners who could effectively impart their knowledge. Thanks to a local contact in Zaria, FLO Foundation connected with two passionate shoemakers who were eager to contribute to the project. These experts not only taught the students but also engaged with them, ensuring a meaningful learning experience.
A Token of Remembrance: Souvenirs
During the project’s implementation, we wanted to provide the students with a lasting reminder of their experience. FLO Foundation decided to gift the students branded exercise books, reinforcing the value of education and skills development.
Crafting a Brighter Future: Program Execution
The culmination of our efforts took place over two impactful days:
Day 1: Monday, July 25th, 2022
The first day marked the beginning of our skill acquisition program. Although initially scheduled for 9 AM, the program was postponed to 11 AM due to ongoing exams. Nevertheless, the S.S.S.1 class, with a population of 53 students, eagerly embraced the opportunity to learn.
Day 2: Tuesday, July 26th, 2022
The second day brought with it an equally enthusiastic group of students from the S.S.S.2 class. With 15 students present, the smaller group allowed for a more engaging and attentive lesson. Every student actively participated, making the day a resounding success.
A Journey with Few Hurdles
Our project encountered very few challenges, and even those were minor. One such hurdle was misinformation regarding the start date of the school’s examinations, which initially conflicted with our planned program schedule.
Lessons for Tomorrow
As we reflect on our skill acquisition project at Government Secondary School Jama’a, we acknowledge that while the program was executed well, there is always room for improvement. One valuable lesson we’ve learned is the importance of dedicating more time to similar projects in the future. Comprehensive learning requires time, patience, and practice.
Empowering Education, One Skill at a Time
At FLO Foundation, our journey to empower education never ends. We remain committed to providing opportunities that extend beyond textbooks and classrooms. Our skill acquisition project in Zaria exemplifies our belief in nurturing the potential of our youth and preparing them for a future where their skills and knowledge can shape a brighter tomorrow.
Join us in our mission to empower education and create a world where every child has the tools they need to succeed.
