< DIGITAL HUB />
"Reach for the stars with technology, young minds. The possibilities are infinite, and you hold the key to unlock them."
— Bill Gates
FOSTERING A LOVE FOR TECHNOLOGY
The KIR Foundation Digital Hub commenced in 2017, to meet the needs of disadvantaged youth in the Amadi-Ama community who cannot afford to pay to learn digital skills like (Basic Web Development, Block Programming, 2D Game Development, 2D Animation, and Graphic Design). Since then, the Hub has equipped teenagers and youth with 21st Century market-relevant skills in ICT.
Every Saturday, the KIR Foundation Inclusive Resource Centre opens its doors to young people like 16-year-old Confidence in the Amadi-Ama community where our office is located who want to acquire digital skills for free. This gathering of like-minded teens and youth makes up the KIR Foundation Digital Hub; where they are exposed to resources, facilitators and mentors that equip them with digital skills such as web design, graphics, animation, app and game development and soft skills. In 2022, the Digital Hub attendance was a whopping 451!
That year, the Digital Hub members focused mainly on two areas: Game Development and Graphic Design and at the end of each course, Hub members had a meet-up with Tech Experts in those particular fields. The aim of the Meet the Tech Mentor Session is to connect young people to a Mentor who is successful in that space to motivate them and introduce them to opportunities available in the sector.
Every Saturday, the KIR Foundation Inclusive Resource Centre opens its doors to young people like 16-year-old Confidence in the Amadi-Ama community where our office is located who want to acquire digital skills for free. This gathering of like-minded teens and youth makes up the KIR Foundation Digital Hub; where they are exposed to resources, facilitators and mentors that equip them with digital skills such as web design, graphics, animation, app and game development and soft skills. In 2022, the Digital Hub attendance was a whopping 451!
That year, the Digital Hub members focused mainly on two areas: Game Development and Graphic Design and at the end of each course, Hub members had a meet-up with Tech Experts in those particular fields. The aim of the Meet the Tech Mentor Session is to connect young people to a Mentor who is successful in that space to motivate them and introduce them to opportunities available in the sector.
One of the Mentors for the second half of the year, was Oluwasegun Adekola (Sege) a 15 years old Arduino Robotics and 3D Game Developer. He is the host of SEGE’s GAMEDEV YouTube Channel (A channel that teaches Game development) and he talked about ‘Maximizing Opportunities in Game Development’.
He said;
“As a Game Developer you can make a good living from it if you know what you are doing, but you can’t do it on your own, you need a diverse team if you want to go far and make a significant difference.”
He said;
“As a Game Developer you can make a good living from it if you know what you are doing, but you can’t do it on your own, you need a diverse team if you want to go far and make a significant difference.”
This session must have really inspired a Noel Okanlawon, a 13 year old who became the team lead for Game Development.
Currently, he is the Instructor for Game Development and has successfully developed a Game; ‘The Top’, that teaches moral lessons and improves the critical and creative thinking skills of the players.
Although, ‘The Top’ is still a work in progress, because he does not have the funds and personal laptop to finish the Game.
However, the Game is available for play at the Construct 2 Arcade
Currently, he is the Instructor for Game Development and has successfully developed a Game; ‘The Top’, that teaches moral lessons and improves the critical and creative thinking skills of the players.
Although, ‘The Top’ is still a work in progress, because he does not have the funds and personal laptop to finish the Game.
However, the Game is available for play at the Construct 2 Arcade
