“The kids keep getting lost in the wondrous world of books and developing critical thinking skills.”

When Richard Dambo and Ms. Baboshiya Asake Olasehinde began work at the Narayi community learning center in Kaduna state, north of Nigeria, the duo had no idea how impactful their efforts at encouraging literacy and early reading habits in the community would be. It has been five years since Namse Udosen’s Tanar educational foundation mooted the idea of the community learning center amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. How have underserved kids reacted to this innovative effort to promote reading and learning in disadvantaged communities?

“The kids are enthusiastic about reading,” Baboshiya said via a messaging app. “We got some books for them from a few donors while others were sourced from personal collections. It’s a community learning center therefore, we hope the kids who visit will imbibe a reading culture. But beyond that, we aim to foster literacy development within members of the community, children and adults alike,” she added.

“Learning beyond the conventional school system.”

Getting a comfortable learning space for the community’s children proved problematic until Richard Dambo convinced his mother to provide a room on her property at no cost for the project. Richard is inspired to be part of the Narayi Learning Center. He believes that “the model is a great tool for learning beyond the conventional school system. Kids get to acquire lifelong skills needed for life beyond formal learning systems.”

While Richard and Baboshiya work primarily as administrators of the community center, Blessing David, Simnom Emmanuel, and Hassan Idris Opeyemi also volunteer as members of the Kaduna-based Rambling Thoughts Book Club.  Japheth Rex, Hassy Bonnet, and several other volunteers also help the kids with reading activities at the center.

The Narayi Learning Center is pleased with its progress. “Our Saturday sessions at the Narayi Community Learning Center keep getting better. The kids keep getting lost in the wondrous world of books and developing critical thinking skills,” Tanar Educational Foundation said in an X post in early August.

Located on Dokaje Street, the Narayi Community Learning Center provides “remedial education for out-of-school children and children from low-end schools.” The center is open to support from willing donors at this link: https://gofund.me/e53c2c6c .