Inspire and Educate Children in Limbe, Cameroon

Thank you for your support of our LESPLAY (Learn, Speak and Play) program, which engages children in the Southwest region of Cameroon through creative informal learning, play and peer interaction. Through LESPLAY children identify real-world challenges and proffer creative ways of tackling them. We provide life skills and entrepreneurship training, the use of creative arts for learning and self-expression, and training on the use of digital tools and technologies.

We are thrilled to share news of the recent technology holiday bootcamp, held from July 11th to August 8th, 2023. In recent years, the city of Limbe has witnessed considerable technological advancement, with numerous opportunities emerging in the field of information technology. However, these opportunities remain inaccessible to a significant portion of the population, particularly underprivileged kids who lack the resources and exposure necessary to thrive in the digital age. To bridge this gap and empower these marginalized children, the Tech Bootcamp for Underprivileged Kids was established in Limbe.

Organized under the LESPLAY umbrella in partnership with CODAM (SOCOD), more than 120 underprivileged kids in Limbe participated in this technology bootcamp, with the goals of offering marginalized youth the opportunity to develop their talents and abilities, foster critical thinking and collaboration, create a lasting impact in the region by inspiring other organizations and individuals to invest in initiatives for underprivileged youth, and to bridge the digital divide for marginalized youth. 

The bootcamp had several unique aspects lending to its success including: 

1. The use of hands-on activities: Participants learned by doing, which helped them to retain the information better.
2. The focus on project-based learning: Participants worked on real-world projects that gave them a sense of accomplishment and motivation.
3. The mentorship of experienced professionals: Participants had the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals in the tech industry.
4. Guest speakers from the tech industry: Participants heard from inspiring speakers who shared their stories and insights.
5. Field trips to tech companies: Participants got to see tech companies in action and learn about the different career opportunities available in the tech industry.

By the end of the program, participants had developed an understanding of the basics of computer science, learned to write basic code in a variety of programming languages, to solve problems using logical thinking, to work collaboratively on projects, to communicate effectively about technical concepts, and developed a passion for technology. We held more than 100 hours of lessons, distributed more than 100 school bags, and awarded 5 kids with scholarships for further education in the tech field as a result of their outstanding performance in the bootcamp. 

We seek to continue this momentum and hold a future bootcamp that will run for 12 weeks, be open to 200 kids from all backgrounds and experiences, and focus on hands-on learning with an updated curriculum that includes the latest technologies and trends. 

We firmly believe that technology has the power to bridge the gap between privilege and opportunity. Our mission at SODEI is to empower underprivileged youth through our tech bootcamp, unlocking their potential and paving the way for a brighter future. Together, we can equip these young minds with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the digital age. 

 
PS. From September 18-22, when you give up to $50 to support education for young girls and boys in Limbe, GlobalGiving will match your generosity at 50% for the #LittleByLittle campaign. Your $50 donation will contribute towards the purchase of a 1 year Adobe Creative Cloud software license for creative design training or provide 1 month of WIFI for our centre.