Zenafri Ltd

Who (first and last name) is the Team Lead for your application and LEAP Project?

Idamiebi Ilamina-Eremie

Describe the role the Team Lead plays in your organization. [100-200 words recommended]

Idamiebi is the Technical Lead and a Co-Founder at Zenafri. He is versed in Ideation, helps in Business and Process Management, and is also a very Talented Creative.

Idamiebi is responsible for project implementation, content creation, and team management.

So far at Zenafri, he has:

• Successfully led our technical team to develop innovative educational content for 200,000+ children across Africa.

• With the other members of the management team, consistently designed and outlined company strategy and key objectives in order to drive innovation and optimize output.
• Managed a diverse Technical and Creative team to develop a range of locally-relevant and innovative EdTech products on time and within budget including designing and developing brand graphics, videos, cartoons and interactive mobile apps
• Developed and maintained relationships with industry partners, investors, and clients in the Local and Global Tech Ecosystem.
• Designed and developed a range of websites for our various products. At Zenafri, we build educational/interactive mobile applications, create multimedia content for children and youths and develop Education platforms for children aged 2-10 aimed at helping them develop cognitively and socially.

Explain how your Team Lead and supporting team members are well-positioned to effectively support the LEAP Project, given other priorities within your organization. [200-500 words - recommended]

The LEAP project is actually right in line with our current project "Koyamu"

Besides the direct positive impact on these children's education, we also see Koyamu as being particularly beneficial to developing the field of Learning Engineering as well as the Science of Learning. 

We would love to find out through the data, which of the categories of content ( video, audio, animation, ebooks, etc) children engage with the most and which they learn best with.
This goal I believe is completely in line with the aims of LEAP, which makes us a perfect fit for this project.
As a result, the Team Lead and Management Team will actually NOT really be taking out time for the LEAP Project as it is actually ingrained with the priorities of our company. If selected, The LEAP Project will be a part of our core programming for the next year as it directly helps our goal of improving early education outcomes in Africa while achieving sustainability.
So working on the LEAP Project is actually the same for us as working on our project so we will be able to put in the required time/resources and more without any challenges both during the Sprint and beyond.

One-line solution summary: In 20 words or less, summarize your organization's product or program that is the focus of your LEAP Project.

Koyamu is an African early educational platform offering literacy, numeracy, social skills, and interactive learning games in local languages

Define the problem that your solution seeks to solve. [200-500 words recommended]

A child’s early years are the foundation for his or her future development, providing a solid base for lifelong learning and learning abilities, including cognitive and social development. Well-established research continues to emphasize the importance of early childhood education as an essential building block of a child’s future success.

Unfortunately, early education faces a number of challenges in Africa. 

In Nigeria for example, some of these challenges include

 -Few early education schools especially in rural areas leaving over 10 million children underserved/disadvantaged. 

-Available learning content is tailored to Western learning and is in English( or French) making early education difficult for these children as that is not the language spoken at home. Also, it’s rather expensive

Our platform Koyamu aims to mitigate this challenge and bridge learning gaps for these underserved children by providing accessible/affordable on-demand, tailored learning to African children whenever they may be thereby transforming any space whatsoever into a viable learning space. 

Our beneficiaries are African children aged 2-7.

Describe your solution and how it works in simple terms. [200-500 words recommended]

Koyamu is an Early Education Learning Platform and radio show designed for African children aged 2-7. The goal of Koyamu is to teach basic literacy, numeracy, and social skills through the power of traditional storytelling while utilizing mother-tongue learning and digital technology.

Koyamu offers a comprehensive learning experience to children, regardless of their access to devices or the internet. It consists of two components: the online platform and the accompanying radio show. The online platform is accessible to children with devices and internet connectivity, while the radio show targets children in rural areas who may not have access to such resources.

On the online platform, children can engage with a variety of learning mediums tailored to their individual preferences and learning styles. Koyamu provides content in different formats, including video, audio, ebooks, interactive activities, and games. By offering a diverse range of learning options, Koyamu ensures that each child can learn optimally according to their own unique needs.

The traditional storytelling approach is central to Koyamu's methodology. Through captivating stories, children are immersed in their own language and culture, making the learning experience engaging and relatable. The stories incorporate essential literacy, numeracy, and social skills, providing a strong foundation for further education.

For children in rural areas without access to devices or the internet, the accompanying radio show serves as a vital tool. The radio show delivers the same content as the online platform, allowing children to learn basic literacy and numeracy skills in their own language, regardless of their location. This ensures that every child, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to access quality education.

Koyamu acknowledges and embraces learning variability among children. Understanding that every child learns differently, Koyamu's approach is to plan for this variability from the start. By providing a range of learning mediums, Koyamu tailors the content to match the individual learning preferences of each child. This personalized approach ensures that every learner on the platform can learn optimally, fostering an inclusive and effective learning environment.

While initially created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Koyamu has evolved into a comprehensive early education solution that continues to meet the needs of African children. By combining storytelling, mother-tongue learning, and digital technology, Koyamu equips children with the fundamental skills necessary for their educational journey, regardless of their circumstances or learning styles

Select the key characteristics of your target population. Select all that apply.

• Women & Girls
• Pre-primary age children (ages 2-5)
• Primary school children (ages 5-12)
• Rural
• Peri-Urban
• Poor
• Low-Income
• Middle-Income

In which country or countries does your solution currently operate?

Nigetia

Upload your solution's Theory of Change or Logic Model.

Where would you place your solution on Nesta's Standards of Evidence?

To date, what research/studies has your organization conducted that have helped demonstrate the effectiveness of your solution? [200-500 words recommended]

To date, Zenafri Ltd. has conducted two types of research/studies that help demonstrate the effectiveness of our solution:

1. Foundational Research: We conducted desktop research with a focus on existing established research by organizations such as UNICEF , UNESCO, and New America. This research highlighted the importance of teaching children in their native languages during the foundational years. The studies showed that children learn faster and grasp concepts more effectively when taught in their mother tongue. This foundational research supports our approach of utilizing local content and indigenous languages in our educational materials.

2. Formative Research: We conducted formative research through user interviews with our beta testers. These interviews were conducted after our users had tested the content, primarily ebooks and audio content, during the beta tests in collaboration with partner schools. The purpose of these interviews was to gather feedback and assess the effectiveness of our content in teaching relevant topics. The insights and feedback from the interviews helped us identify areas of improvement and make necessary changes to enhance the learning experience for children. This formative research provided valuable input for refining our product and ensuring its effectiveness in teaching foundational literacy and numeracy skills.

While our organization has conducted foundational and formative research, we are actively working towards conducting summative research in the future. Summative research, such as correlational studies, quasi-experimental studies, and randomized control studies, will further establish evidence of the effectiveness of our solution by quantitatively measuring the impact of our educational materials on children's learning outcomes. These future research endeavors will strengthen our understanding of the efficacy of our solution and its ability to empower African children in their early educational journey.

What has the research/studies you have conducted revealed about your solution and how did it inform your work moving forward? [200-500 words recommended]

The research and studies we have conducted have provided valuable insights about our solution and have significantly influenced our work moving forward. Here is an overview of the key findings and how they have informed our approach:

1. Pent-up demand for local early education content: Our research revealed a significant demand for local early education content. Children expressed a desire for more content than what was initially available. This finding emphasized the importance of providing educational materials that are relevant to the cultural context and linguistic diversity of African children. As a result, we have placed a strong emphasis on creating content that resonates with the local communities we serve, ensuring that it reflects their language, culture, and experiences.

2. Preference for visual content: The research highlighted that a vast majority of the users, the children, preferred visual content over audio. This insight guided us in prioritizing the development of visually engaging materials, such as videos, interactive games, and multimedia content. By leveraging visual elements, we aim to enhance children's engagement, comprehension, and retention of the educational concepts presented.

3. Addressing learning variability and providing content in multiple formats: Our research emphasized the need to account for learning variability among children. We recognized that children have different learning styles and preferences. To cater to this diversity, we have expanded our efforts to provide content in even more formats, including video, audio, ebooks, and interactive learning games. This multi-format approach ensures that children can engage with the content in ways that align with their individual learning preferences and abilities.

4. Inclusion of Nigerian Pidgin English: Interaction with schools in rural areas highlighted the need for content in Nigerian Pidgin English. This language serves as a common language understood by children from different tribes and communities. To address this need and promote inclusivity, we have incorporated Nigerian Pidgin English into our content offerings, making it accessible to a wider range of children across linguistic backgrounds.

5. Teacher feedback and refinement of lessons: Our interactions with teachers during testing proved invaluable in refining the length and content of the lessons for each age group. Their expertise and insights helped us ensure that the educational materials align with the developmental milestones and cognitive abilities of children in the targeted age range. By incorporating teacher feedback, we have fine-tuned our content to optimize its effectiveness and relevance in the classroom.

In summary, the research and studies conducted by Zenafri Ltd. have provided critical insights into the demands, preferences, and needs of our users, the children, as well as the teachers in the educational ecosystem. This information has directly influenced our work by reinforcing the importance of local relevance, visual content, learning variability, and inclusivity. It has guided us in developing a comprehensive and diverse range of educational materials that cater to the unique needs of African children aged 2-7. By continuously integrating these research findings into our work, we strive to deliver a highly effective and impactful early educational solution that empowers African children to excel academically and compete globally.

Describe your organization's need to strengthen the evidence base of your solution. [200-500 words recommended]

As an organization, we recognize the need to strengthen the evidence base of our solution, Koyamu, and we believe that now is the ideal time to do so primarily as a LEAP Project. There are several reasons driving our commitment to enhancing the evidence base:

1. Impact assessment and improvement: Strengthening the evidence base allows us to assess the impact and effectiveness of Koyamu more accurately. By conducting rigorous research and evaluation, we can measure the learning outcomes and educational impact our solution has on children. This assessment provides valuable insights into areas of success and areas that may require improvement. With a robust evidence base, we can make informed decisions to enhance the effectiveness and educational value of Koyamu, ultimately benefiting the children we serve.

2. Validation and credibility: Building a strong evidence base lends credibility to our solution. By conducting research and gathering evidence, we can demonstrate the effectiveness and positive outcomes of Koyamu to stakeholders, including educators, policymakers, and potential funders. This validation enhances the credibility of our organization and solution, instilling confidence in the impact we can make in early education.

3. Informed decision-making: Strengthening the evidence base equips us with reliable data and insights that inform decision-making processes. It helps us understand the strengths and weaknesses of Koyamu, enabling us to make data-driven adjustments and improvements. Evidence-based decision-making allows us to allocate resources effectively, prioritize areas of development, and maximize the educational benefits for children using our platform.

4. Scaling and replication: As we aim to expand the reach of Koyamu and replicate its success in different contexts, a robust evidence base becomes crucial. It provides a foundation for scaling our solution, as it offers evidence of its effectiveness and potential impact across diverse settings. A solid evidence base allows us to adapt and tailor Koyamu to meet the specific needs of different regions and communities, ensuring its successful implementation and outcomes.

5. Stakeholder engagement and support: Strengthening the evidence base also facilitates meaningful engagement and collaboration with stakeholders. Policymakers, educators, and other key actors in the education sector are more likely to support and advocate for our solution when backed by solid evidence. Engaging stakeholders in the research process and sharing evidence-based findings fosters partnerships, encourages investment, and creates a network of support for Koyamu's continued growth and sustainability.

In summary, strengthening the evidence base of our solution, Koyamu, is crucial to assess impact, validate credibility, inform decision-making, enable scaling and replication, and engage stakeholders effectively. By enhancing the evidence base, we can further refine and optimize Koyamu to provide a high-quality and impactful early education solution for African children

What are 2-3 research questions that you would like your LEAP Project to help you answer? [100 words recommended]

1) How does mother-tongue learning and traditional storytelling in Koyamu impact children's acquisition of basic literacy and numeracy skills compared to conventional methods?
2) What is the correlation between different learning mediums (video, audio, ebooks, interactive activities) in Koyamu and children's engagement, comprehension, and retention?
3) What is the educational impact of Koyamu on children's foundational skills and preparedness for further education, including academic progress, cognitive development, and social-emotional skills? By answering these questions, we can understand the effectiveness of Koyamu's unique approach and optimize its design to maximize learning outcomes for African children aged 2-7.

What type of research/studies do you think will help answer your stated questions? Select all that apply.

• Formative research (e.g. usability studies; feasibility studies; case studies; user interviews; implementation studies; pre-post or multi-measure research; correlational studies)
• Summative research (e.g. correlational studies; quasi-experimental studies; randomized control studies)

Please elaborate on your selection above by describing your desired outputs of the 12-week LEAP Project sprint. [200 - 500 words recommended]

During the 12-week LEAP Project sprint, our desired outputs would be research recommendations, guidance, and strategies provided by the LEAP Fellows. Given the time constraints and the resources available we would hope to get the following outputs:

1. Research synthesis report: The LEAP Fellows would conduct a comprehensive review and synthesis of existing research on mother-tongue learning, traditional storytelling, and early education methodologies. This report would provide a summary of key findings, gaps in the literature, and recommendations for further research.

2. Evaluation framework: The LEAP Fellows would develop an evaluation framework that outlines the key indicators, data collection methods, and measurement tools necessary to assess the impact and effectiveness of Koyamu. This framework would serve as a guide for future evaluation efforts, ensuring consistency and rigor in data collection and analysis.

3. Data collection tools: The LEAP Fellows would design and create data collection tools, such as surveys, interviews, and observation protocols, to gather quantitative and qualitative data on the effectiveness of Koyamu. These tools would be tailored to capture information related to the research questions mentioned earlier, including the impact of mother-tongue learning, learning mediums, and overall educational outcomes.

4. Pilot study plan: The LEAP Fellows would develop a plan for a small-scale pilot study to test the research questions and gather preliminary data on the effectiveness of Koyamu. This plan would outline the study design, sample selection criteria, data collection procedures, and ethical considerations.

5. Recommendations for improvement: Based on the findings from the research synthesis, evaluation framework, and pilot study plan, the LEAP Fellows would provide specific recommendations for improving Koyamu's content, delivery, and impact. These recommendations would be informed by evidence-based practices and strategies identified during the LEAP Project.

6. Dissemination plan: The LEAP Fellows would develop a plan for disseminating the research findings and recommendations to key stakeholders, including educators, policymakers, and potential funders. This plan would outline the most effective channels and strategies for sharing the evidence and generating awareness and support for Koyamu.

By producing these outputs, the LEAP Fellows would contribute to strengthening the evidence base of Koyamu by providing research-informed recommendations, guidance, and strategies. These outputs would inform our approach to improving Koyamu's effectiveness, refining our content, and ensuring that our solution delivers positive educational outcomes for African children aged 2-7.

How will your organization put these outputs into action? [200-500 words recommended]

Following the conclusion of the LEAP Project sprint, our organization is committed to putting the outputs into action to strengthen the evidence base of Koyamu and enhance its impact on early education for African children. Here is how we plan to utilize the outputs:

1. Research integration: We will carefully review the research synthesis report and integrate its findings into our existing knowledge base. This will help us gain a comprehensive understanding of the current state of research on mother-tongue learning, traditional storytelling, and early education methodologies. We will consider the identified gaps and recommendations for further research to inform our future research initiatives and collaborations.

2. Evaluation implementation: We will utilize the evaluation framework developed by the LEAP Fellows to guide the implementation of rigorous evaluations of Koyamu. This framework will provide us with a structured approach to assess the impact and effectiveness of our solution. We will collect data using the designed data collection tools, following the recommended indicators and measurement techniques. The findings from these evaluations will be instrumental in informing our decision-making processes and refining Koyamu's content and delivery.

3. Pilot study execution: We will execute the pilot study plan developed by the LEAP Fellows to gather preliminary data on the effectiveness of Koyamu. This small-scale study will allow us to assess the research questions identified, measure key outcomes, and identify areas for improvement. The data collected during the pilot study will serve as valuable insights to inform the further development of Koyamu and validate its impact.

4. Improvement implementation: The recommendations provided by the LEAP Fellows will guide our efforts to improve Koyamu. We will carefully consider their suggestions for content enhancements, delivery modifications, and strategies to optimize learning outcomes. We will iteratively implement these recommendations, making necessary adjustments to the learning materials, formats, and approaches based on the evidence-based practices identified during the LEAP Project. This continuous improvement process will ensure that Koyamu remains effective, engaging, and relevant to the needs of African children.

5. Dissemination and advocacy: We will execute the dissemination plan developed by the LEAP Fellows to share the research findings, recommendations, and the impact of Koyamu with stakeholders. Through various channels such as conferences, seminars, and publications, we will engage educators, policymakers, and potential funders to raise awareness about the evidence base of Koyamu and advocate for its adoption and support. We will actively seek partnerships and collaborations to expand the reach and scale of Koyamu, leveraging the evidence generated during the LEAP Project to demonstrate its effectiveness and impact.

By actively implementing the outputs from the LEAP Project, we aim to further strengthen the evidence base of Koyamu, enhance its educational impact, and contribute to the advancement of early education in Africa. We are dedicated to incorporating research-driven insights into our decision-making processes, continuously improving our solution, and ensuring that Koyamu provides essential and relevant early education for all African children.

Describe your desired short-term and long-term outcomes of the 12-week LEAP Project sprint for both your organization and solution. [200-500 words recommended]

Short-term outcomes for our organization:

1. Enhanced research capacity: Through the LEAP Project, our organization will develop a deeper understanding of research methodologies and approaches relevant to early education. The involvement of LEAP Fellows and their expertise will strengthen our research capacity, enabling us to conduct rigorous evaluations, synthesize research findings, and make evidence-based decisions.

2. Actionable insights: The outputs produced during the LEAP Project will provide us with actionable insights and recommendations. These insights will inform our decision-making processes, content development strategies, and delivery methods. By incorporating these recommendations, we will enhance the effectiveness and impact of Koyamu in providing essential early education to African children.

3. Increased stakeholder engagement: The dissemination efforts initiated during the LEAP Project will foster greater engagement with key stakeholders, including educators, policymakers, and potential funders. By sharing the research findings, recommendations, and evidence of Koyamu's impact, we aim to raise awareness and generate support for our solution, thereby expanding our network of partners and collaborators.

Short-term outcomes for Koyamu:

1. Refined content and delivery: The research recommendations and pilot study findings will allow us to refine the content and delivery of Koyamu. By identifying effective learning mediums, age-appropriate formats, and incorporating mother-tongue learning and traditional storytelling, we will optimize the learning experience for children. This will result in improved engagement, comprehension, and retention of educational content.

2. Improved learning outcomes: Through the LEAP Project, we expect to see improved learning outcomes for children using Koyamu. By aligning the solution with evidence-based practices and incorporating research-driven strategies, we anticipate enhanced acquisition of basic literacy, numeracy, and social skills. This will contribute to the children's overall foundational skills and better prepare them for further education.

Long-term outcomes for our organization:

1. Evidence-based advocacy: The LEAP Project will provide us with a robust evidence base to advocate for the importance of early education, mother-tongue learning, and culturally relevant content. Armed with research findings and recommendations, we can engage in evidence-based advocacy efforts to influence policies, educational practices, and resource allocation, ultimately creating a positive impact on the early education landscape in Africa.

2. Sustainable growth and scalability: By leveraging the research outcomes, recommendations, and stakeholder engagement, our organization aims to achieve sustainable growth and scalability for Koyamu. The evidence generated during the LEAP Project will attract potential funders, investors, and partners who recognize the effectiveness and impact of our solution. This support will enable us to expand our reach to more African children, bridging the educational gap and empowering them with essential foundational skills.

Long-term outcomes for Koyamu:

1. Positive societal impact: With the evidence base strengthened through the LEAP Project, we anticipate that Koyamu will contribute to narrowing the educational disparity, empowering children, and enabling them to compete on an equal footing with their peers globally.

2. Improved educational outcomes: We expect to see improved educational outcomes for children who have accessed Koyamu. By focusing on foundational literacy, numeracy, and social skills, Koyamu will lay a strong educational foundation, leading to better academic performance, cognitive development, and social-emotional skills.