What is the name of your organization?
Helping Africa Foundation/IMPLEMENTERS
What is the name of your solution?
The Yamoransa Model
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
The Yamoransa Model: Bridging Educational Gaps in sub-Saharan Africa through Technology
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
New York, NY, USA, and Accra, Ghana
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
GHA
What type of organization is your solution team?
Nonprofit
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
“Africa is the most youthful continent with 70% of the population of sub-Saharan Africa under the age of 30” (Forbes). The region’s population is poised to double to 2 billion by 2050, and the working-age population will be expanding while it is contracting in the rest of the world. These are the leaders of the future, “yet, of all the regions, sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rates of education exclusion” (UNESCO). This is further compounded by the fact that there is a significant digital divide and lack of access to quality education throughout sub-Saharan Africa. According to the World Bank, as much as 80% of the region does not have access to the internet. The Qingdao Declaration on ICT in education, states “To achieve the goal of inclusive and equitable quality education, ICT must be harnessed to strengthen education systems, knowledge dissemination, information access, quality and effective learning” However, this goal of incorporating ICT will remain elusive in the absence of internet access or an alternative method of providing ICT. Since it is highly unlikely that every individual will be digitally connected by 2030, we must look at other options to enable digital literacy that also ensures women’s empowerment.
What is your solution?
The Yamoransa Model provides an alternative to internet based educational opportunities to rural communities that have been marginalized by their lack of connectivity. Through our innovative and proprietary technology, we are integrating these last mile villages into the world of 21st century education and enhancing their future prosperity.
At the core of our technology is the EDULab with ASANKA. Each of our centers has 2 classrooms each with 24 computers that have been specially programmed to enable the teaching of basic computer skills such as word, excel, power point and learning tools for mathematics, English, science, basic literacy and reading. Each computer is wirelessly connected to the ASANKA device which connects offline learners to local digital content.
A third classroom or Maker Space includes robotics, 3d printing, AR/VR, Arduino and Ozobots so that the students are exposed to programming, basic engineering and critical thinking.
Each center is equipped with solar panels and battery backups which ensures a consistent and free source of electricity. We provide an independent water supply and fully functional and disability accessible toilets and washing stations which promotes clean water and sanitation.
Our impact evaluations demonstrate a significant improvement in the students’ scores on national standardized tests
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
At its core, the Yamoransa Model is about providing equity to rural underserved populations so that students can be competitive in a 21st century world that is based on technological skills.
The Yamoransa Model ensures that ALL community members, including persons with disabilities, diverse religious groups, minorities, women and other gender and sexual orientation benefit from our programs and are engaged in its planning, implementation and management.
Our programs are strategically located in marginalized communities and are managed by local committees consisting of teachers, administrators, government officials, traditional leaders and other community stakeholders. The committees are gender balanced to ensure that women represent at least 50% of the members. This grassroots leadership ensures our initiatives are tailored to local needs, enhancing equity and long-term sustainability.
Our facilities are disability friendly including accessible entrances and washrooms for all genders ensuring everyone can benefit from our programs.
The model's components such as EDULab and ASANKA are designed to be inclusive. We use graphic representations such as videos with subtitles, audio learning animations, and slideshows to make learning accessible to students who have hearing and vision disabilities.
Our programs are focused on female empowerment and have a proven impact on improving female education.