As part of the effort to tackle the diverse systemic problems in our education sector, Teach for Nigeria, a non-profit organisation bridging the gap of education inequity, creates platforms for its fellows to undertake different initiatives. One of such is the “be the change project.”
What is Be the Change Project (BTCP)
Be the Change Project (BTCP) is an initiative of the Teach for Nigeria Fellowship. It mandates second-year fellows to design & implement a solution that addresses a challenge they must have encountered during their fellowship.
In the past, fellows have implemented projects on Digital Skills for teachers, Child Mentorship, Waste for Learning Resources, Skills acquisition, Arts and Crafts for growth and development, Digital literacy for students, boy child initiative etc.
At the end of the fellowship year, an independent panel of judges review all projects and shortlists initiatives that reflect a high level of creativity, impact, community engagement & sustainability for the BTCP Award.
In my second year as a fellow, the project I worked on for be the change was TFN Creative Kids Art Club, an initiative that gave children opportunity to explore creativity in their own way.
Why Creative Kids Club?
I got to my classroom in 2019, and noticed that most of my learners exhibited creative traits. However, there were no platforms for them to explore or learn.
This was a great motivation for me. I started brainstorming on ways to use Art to develop these innate abilities, most importantly how to connect what they learn in the class with real-life experience using Art. I wanted them to be creative and innovative.
“My aim was not to groom children to solely become artists but to build and develop individuals who would be creative and innovative in whatever career they choose to pursue.”
The journey to executing this project was eventful, insightful and above all challenging. My profound gratitude goes to Mr Chisom Solomon (Art Educator), Itunu Adeyemo (Career Coach) and my amazing Leadership Development Manager Sandra Meninwa for supporting and mentoring me throughout this process.
Special thanks to my team members and volunteers also, they did a great job.
It is worthy of note that TFN Creative Kids Art Club was originally founded by Moses Stephen and Linda Opara in 2018 to provide a platform for children in underserved communities to explore and express their innate creative abilities. I built on the existing template, expanded and extended it to my learners and other communities.
Therefore, you can also leverage on an existing be the change project. Identify the one that solves a problem in your classroom or placement community. Reach out to the coordinators. I am sure they will tell you how to go about it.
Lessons from my project execution
It is always impossible until you start the project
Any task before you would always seem impossible to achieve if the only thing you do is think or talk about it without any action. You will keep getting convincing reasons why it would not work out. You will also feel incompetent.
For a long time, I stared at my project proposal, counted the cost, and became overwhelmed. I was not sure of how and where to start from.
Being an artist was not enough. I felt incompetent to handle the execution. There were several factors that made the project seem impossible to execute, some of which were, financial resources, time constraints, human resources, inadequate work space etc.
We began to make headway the day we decided to start the project execution with what we had. We identified the resources at our disposal that did not require money and started small. We gained more insight and clarity as we continued.
I assume there are one million and one reasons why your project seems impossible to execute. I can guess you also feel incompetent. I felt like that too. When people saw creative Lekan, I saw timid Lekan. I could not tell anyone that I felt incompetent.
I am challenging you today to start! You are capable of doing this and you will be proud you did this.
Start now, start from where you are, with what you have
There is never going to be a time where all the resources you need will be available. Therefore, identify what you have, leverage on it and start. For us, we started maximising the use of waste materials and we got more materials when we got funds.
Do not let your project budget scare you
Funds, money, finance, resources whichever you decide to call it play a vital role in the success of any project. You will get to that point where you feel your project is costing too much and then give up because you believe there is no way you can raise such money.
Let me share a short story with you, during the proposal stage of BTCP in my cohort, I was quite careful about budgeting, I just wanted a budget of not more than a hundred and fifty thousand Naira due to public perception. I knew it would not be enough.
I was quite worried for my colleagues who had about three million Naira as their budget. I had thought they would not be able to raise the money because it looked outrageous me. Would you believe it if I told you that all my colleagues who had over a million naira as the budget had their project fully funded?
Yes, you can read that again. So, do not limit yourself, do not be scared. Just make sure that the project is one that truly solves one of the problems that affect your students. Also, master the act of pitching your ideas and solutions.
Below are organisations you can look at for funding…
Human beings are not stingy, they only need a reason to give
It was during my fellowship that I learnt that human beings are not stingy, they only need a genuine reason for them to part with their money or resources.
While I fundraised for my BTCP, a dear friend sent me a message on WhatsApp to send my account details. She told me that she sent the last money she had on her at that time because the children needed it more. I was really touched.
I have others who would not even wait for me to fundraise. They would periodically send me funds and other resources just for the children to access quality education.
One of the factors that contributed to this was because they were aware that I was genuinely committed to a cause. I was providing quality education to disadvantaged children. I also made my work known by sharing my stories and giving a progress update (accountability).
Therefore, ensure you are using your social media accounts appropriately and effectively. Share your stories genuinely.
Build positive relationships and leverage on your network
I assume you have heard this times without number. Well, I am reiterating it to you. Networking, building positive relationships and leveraging on your network cannot be overemphasized in implementing your projects.
At the implementation stage of your project, endeavour to maximise opportunities and leverage on human and material resources that are available at your disposal.
Friends and colleagues played key roles in my project. The artists who handled most of the activities were my friends who were willing to support me at no cost. Others who were not artists would periodically send me opportunities that align with what I was doing.
Please note that your relationship should not be a parasitic one. You must also be coming to the table with value.
Speak up! Sọ̀rọ̀sókè!
Are you confused or bothered about something related to your project? Do you need help? Speak up! Sorosoke! The Alumni community is there for you, there are over 200 members. They are always willing and ready to put you through.
Shoot your shots!
You will be needing funds and lots of resources. Identify organisations that have their CSR in the area you are implementing project in. Send them a proposal.
There are also lots of professionals & organisations on LinkedIn, twitter or Instagram who are open to partnerships. Identify them and send a DM.
Write the vision and make a plan for the project
I found out that I often do not accomplish the tasks I do in my head, I end up forgetting or discouraged.
My career coach taught me to have a vision board, break my vision into actionable and measurable goals and a timetable to overcome the challenge. This gave me a concrete idea of what we were doing per time and how it would be done.
Endeavour to also have a vision board, and an engagement plan. Do not forget to keep track of your activities.
Take clear pictures and record videos to tell your story!
Are you confused or stuck at a stage in your project? Feel free to send me a DM
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Thanks for sharing this. It will go a long way help those of us who are yet to embark on the “Be The Change” project.
Your details are apt and must confess, I will star 💫 this piece already to serve not only as a reference but also motivation.
Thanks!
Thank you for the feedback😊. I am glad you found it helpful.
Weldone sir, I appreciate all that you do, thanks for sharing your experience.
Thank you for your kind words😊.