ASPIRE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

Connecting Nigerian Children, Youth and Women

with digital, practical and life skills enrichment opportunities for improved livelihoods

vision for the future

Why We do This

According to UNICEF, approximatively 54 % of Children in Nigeria are ‘multidimensionally poor’ by facing at least three deprivations across seven dimensions of child rights including nutrition, healthcare, education, water, sanitation, adequate housing, and information. UNICEF also estimated that 1 in 5 children in Nigeria, more than 10.5 million Nigerian children are out of school.

In addition, failure to reduce digital inequalities by fostering inclusion, safety and rights online, especially for vulnerable groups risks deepening inequalities, opening new digital divides and/or exacerbating those that have proved persistent over the years.

We understand that poverty has long-term impacts on the well-being of children and youth, even into adulthood. We also know that unemployable, unskilled, economically unproductive, unhealthy and poorly educated youth are at risk in the community.

We connect children, women, and youth to training opportunities and resources to foster digital inclusion, safety, trust, enhanced sustenance, responsible citizenship, better career outcomes, and improved health and well-being.

We also advance digital Safety for children and women, reduce digital inequalities, and foster the digital rights of women and girls.

Mission

To invest in children, women, and youth through training, mentorship, and resources aimed at enabling them to overcome the barriers to digital inclusion, safety, enhanced sustenance, and improved health and wellbeing.

Our Approach

Research has identified a standard set of factors that predispose children to positive outcomes in the face of significant adversity. These counterbalancing factors include:

Digital/Technology Skills Development
Practical Skills Acquisition
Life Skills Enrichment
Online Safety Courses to improve safety online, reduce digital inequalities, and foster digital rights for women and girls.
Facilitating supportive adult-child relationships and building positive social and community connections (Mentoring), in addition to other community connection opportunities

DIGITAL & LIFE SKILLS

Digital/Technology skills development enhances problem solving, critical thinking and creativity skills.
Digital skills acquisition also improves employability and job retention.

PRACTICAL SKILLS

With a focus on entrepreneurial empowerment, our Skill Spark program nurtures talents, fostering a dynamic and adaptive skill set that propels participants into diverse career pathways.

ONLINE SAFETY COURSES

Free video courses to help participants gain essential knowledge, acquire practical strategies and protect themselves in today's digital world. Participants learn to manage online gender-based violence, defend against online image issues, and other digital safety skills

COMMUNITY CONNECTION & SUPPORT

We connect with our communities to provide educational resources, coordinate speed mentorship, provide welfare supports and meet various needs in the communities in partnership with individuals, schools and other social purpose organizations.

Technology and Life Skills Enrichment Program (TECHPlus)

Technology/Digital skills development enhances problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity skills. Our TECHPlus program empowers under-served youth and women with technology and life skills that they can leverage for immediate employment and build on for future learning and career opportunities. The Technology curriculum includes coding, programming, robotics, web development, media, and data analysis. The life skills curriculum includes various topics related to leadership, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and health.

Skill Spark

Skill Spark equips participants with practical skills, designed to pave the way for employment, apprenticeship opportunities, and entrepreneurship, this initiative goes beyond traditional education, encompassing a diverse range of disciplines including tie and dye, carpentry, shoe making, painting, sewing, car cleaning, house cleaning, hairdressing, shoemaking, musical instruments, and more.

Skill Spark is a transformative journey that empowers students to embrace creativity, develop practical expertise, and embark on meaningful career paths across an expanded spectrum of skills and trades.

Online Safety Courses

Our free video courses are tailored to empower participants with the essential knowledge and tools needed to navigate and protect themselves in the increasingly complex digital world. These comprehensive courses cover a range of crucial topics, including strategies to manage online gender-based violence, techniques to safeguard against the misuse of images, and general digital safety practices.

Participants will gain valuable insights into how to identify potential threats online, develop preventative strategies, and effectively respond to various digital safety challenges. Through interactive lessons and expert guidance, our courses aim to build a foundation of awareness and resilience, ensuring individuals can confidently manage their digital presence and security.

Career Day

We have partnered with Tiraka, an International Social Enterprise, to bring Career Day to our communities.

Tiraka Career Day is a signature event for college, university, and High school students.

For university/college students, it is designed to connect ambitious students and recent graduates with leading professionals and employers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). This annual event is part of the Tiraka STEAM Ambassador Program (TSAP) and aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional employment, offering a dynamic platform for networking, learning, and career advancement.

For High School Students, it is an opportunity to meet with University/College students and professionals, and learn about the different opportunities for them in the University, it is hosted by students in the TSAP as a way to give back to their community.

Fellowship

We have partnered with Tiraka, an International Social Enterprise, to extend their prestigious fellowship program to the successful students from our programs.

Tiraka connects educators, students, and employers, providing an easy platform for collaboration. Participants gain valuable job experience while learning. The work-based-learning program helps to bridge the gap between education and employment,

Community Connection and Support

We actively engage with our communities to deliver a variety of support services tailored to meet diverse needs. Our initiatives include providing educational resources, tutoring, organizing speed mentorship sessions, distributing educational/hygiene/food/relief materials, and offering other welfare support in collaboration with individuals, schools, and other social-purpose organizations. By partnering with these entities, we ensure a holistic approach to community development and empowerment.

Our programs are designed to foster growth, learning, and well-being, reflecting our commitment to enhancing the quality of life of the members of our community through meaningful collaboration and support.

Education, Resources and Support for Women and Children from Low Income Communities

Community Connection & Support In Action

Giving Hope

We believe in the power of Elementary School Education. And while we await the resuscitation of the public school system in Nigeria, we are working to provide quality education to a few children from low-income communities.

With our sponsors’ help, we partnered with Talent Mine Academy Nigeria to provide a 12-year fully funded education to select children, effective the First Term of 2021. And we hope to do more in the coming years. These students have never been to school before and we believe this intervention will provide long-term benefits to them and their communities.

We also provide support and relief to numerous women and children in need in partnership with our generous donors

Aspire Youth Development Centre