Giving Circle: Your Giving Keeps A Child In School

Since the last update in May 2026, The Special Foundation (TSF) has continued to expand its reach and deliver educational opportunities to children in underserved communities across Nigeria. While the Giving Circle has not received any new donations during this period, the foundation has remained actively engaged in its mission of expanding access to quality learning and creating opportunities for children to develop the skills they need to thrive.

A major highlight of this period was the successful delivery of the 2026 edition of the Special Summer School, TSF’s flagship annual learning program. This year, the program surpassed its target of reaching 40,000 children, ultimately impacting 41,135 children across 19 centers in 10 states in Nigeria.

Under the theme “A Future-Ready Learning Experience,” the program went beyond traditional classroom learning to expose participants to a broad range of skills and experiences. Across the different centers, children participated in digital learning, vocational and entrepreneurial skills development, leadership activities, creative learning, and other practical learning experiences designed to help them engage with the opportunities and challenges of a changing world.

The Summer School also continued TSF’s efforts to bridge learning gaps for children during the long school break, including children who are out of school and may otherwise have limited access to structured learning opportunities. By bringing learning directly into inner-city and rural communities, the program created spaces where children could continue learning, explore new interests, build confidence, and develop practical skills alongside their peers.

The program’s growing reach has also received international recognition. The 2026 Special Summer School was recently shortlisted for the QS Reimagine Education Access, Diversity & Inclusion Award, recognizing the program among initiatives being considered for their contribution to expanding access to education and creating more inclusive learning opportunities.

This year’s results represent another significant step in the growth of the Special Summer School program. From its beginnings as a program focused on providing learning opportunities for out-of-school children in Northern Nigeria, the initiative has grown into a multi-state program reaching tens of thousands of children each year. Surpassing the 40,000-child target this year reflects both the growing demand for accessible learning opportunities and TSF’s continued ability to reach children across diverse communities.

These developments come as TSF continues to build on the foundation established through the Giving Tuesday Giving Circle. Although the campaign has not recorded additional donations since the last report, the continued delivery and expansion of the foundation’s programs demonstrate the ongoing work behind its commitment to educational access and lifelong development.

As TSF looks ahead, the Giving Circle remains part of its broader vision for mobilizing individuals and communities to collectively support educational opportunities for underserved children. The foundation continues to welcome opportunities to deepen this model, strengthen donor engagement, and build a wider community of supporters committed to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and dream.

Links:

• Makoko Center
• Nekede Center
• Ikoyi Center