Imagine (I'm a girl inventing new experiences)

A two-phased project which firstly, will foster interest in technology among young girls in very privileged schools, by giving them classes on basic programming. At the second phase, the trained girls will carry out a social responsibility project, by teaching same skills to other girls in less privileged schools.

Imagine seeks to solve the problem of firstly reducing and subsequently eliminating the divide that there is between the rich and the poor in many developing countries in Africa, starting from Nigeria. It’s aim is to foster interest in technology amongst young girls (many of whom have hidden capacities), from the privileged class. These already trained girls will be motivated to seek technological solutions that could better the lives of other young girls like them in the less privileged class of the society.

It is a solution to the challenge raised as many of these girls in the less privileged societies have access to very poor education and therefore are each time less prepared for the future and less prepared for the future and subsequently, will have less possibilities of getting jobs. Looking out for those who have got hidden skills in technology and concretely in programming is simply a way of giving back to the society, forming young people who will in the future develop solutions that will define the future. Forming them to love technology and create technology is a way of equipping them for self-development as well as for social development.

In the long run, it is projected towards stopping one of the main challenges which faces the global society: illegal migration, unemployment, poverty and strife. the idea is to train young girls who can in future create employment for the society they live in, build local solutions that address the local needs of the people, etc. 

Specifically, it addresses the issue of gender inequality which is still very much prevalent in the Nigerian society. It will give an opportunity to girls who are from very poor backgrounds, which ordinarily they would not get to have for the mere reason of being girls. The training process is also aimed at entrepreneurship and critical thinking. The first group of girls to be trained won’t only be trained technically on how to program, but will be posed with the challenge of how to apply some of the skills they have learnt towards solving the problems of specific locality.

I have had lots of encounters with potential future society builders who unfortunately are from less privileged homes. Girls who can do better academically and culturally, but do not go ahead because they simply do not have good teachers in their schools. I have also come across many young intelligent girls who wanted to go to universities, but did not have the opportunity for the mere fact of being girls. Equipping them in technology means they can learn to build simple solutions, probably make some money from them and subsequently build their path for further studies. 

To provide technological formation to young girls, first to the upper class and subsequently to the lower class. It is a gradual way of breaking up the huge gap that exists between the rich and the poor in Nigeria. The upper-class students will receive the information on this project by oral and written publicity to the schools where they study. Generally, in Nigeria, many parents are interested in programs that help to develop their children academically. The lower-class society will be reached in a similar way; such schools are usually very interested in opportunities like this for the smart students. 

feedback provided by the schools that they were trained, as well as testimony from the students and parents. - 90 girls in top schools in Lagos will get trained within a year

application published on the web or on appstore to show that - at least 30 of the 90 will be able to develop a simple web application or an android application

testimonies from the girls, applications developed by them, better school and job opportunities, etc. - 500 girls from low privileged schools will be trained by the 90 above on basic programming and entrepreneurship (within 3 years)

It is a novelty, because it is not simply focused on learning technology for the sake of technological know-how, rather it has a face which is humanitarian, it is focused on making the lives of the people better and to provide solution to a real societal problem and challenge.

It is focused on using knowledge in technology to change the lives of the girls who are going to get trained. It aims at better standard of living, better job opportunities, etc.

For the first phase: A web page will be created with information on the program and how to apply and to pay. In addition, publications will be sent out to top schools in Lagos especially in Lekki Phase I and Ikoyi, with information on the project as well as speeches addressed at parent forum on how to adopt the solution and the benefits for the girls. For the next phase, publications will also be sent out to the heads of the underprivileged schools, within the same location of Lekki and Ikoyi, lagos.

Sources of income are projected as the following:

• Tuition fee that will be payed by the first group of students
• Sponsorships from technological firms in Lagos, as a way of promoting Corporate Social responsibility. One of the most likely interested companies is Interswitch Nigeria.
• Possible funding from the Nigerian government.
• Funding from international organizations that are interested in the growth of the society and the promotion of the rights of the girl-child.

• Lack of funds for the infrastructural setup; physical building, computers and other multimedia materials that will be required for classes.
• Well trained staff who are equipped to train in programming, entrepreneurship, critical thinking, business management, social concerns, etc.
• Income to be paid to the staff who volunteer in this project.

I think my solution meets the challenge set by solve. It is aimed at technology training for solving human and societal problems. The problems which it tries to address are not mere local problems but which have a global effect in the long run. I am also applying to Solve, as I see it as an opportunity to get good mentoring and guideline in developing an idea which has been stirring up in my head.

I'm currently yet to get partners, but I have prospective ones: 

• Lagoon school, Lagos: http://www.lagoonschool.com.ng...
• Interswitch Group: https://www.interswitchgroup.c...

http://www.w-teconline.org/