Digital Life After School Programme: First set of trainees graduate 

The SWL Foundation celebrated a significant milestone on Saturday as the inaugural cohort of its Digital Life After School Programme (DLASP) graduated.

The event at Ade Adegbite Event Hall, Shepherd Hill Baptist Church, Obanikoro, Lagos, displayed the remarkable achievements of over eighty children who participated in the foundation’s free digital skills training initiative.

DLASP is part of the SWL Foundation’s ongoing efforts to bridge the technology gap in underserved communities. In 2023, a survey by GetBundi, an online education technology company, has revealed that more than one hundred million young Nigerians have no digital skills to take up good job opportunities that require modern skills. But through this three-to-six-month intensive training focused on providing digital literacy and technology skills to children aged 4-16, adolescents acquire and grow their tech skills early enough.

DLASP aligns with the Sustainability Development Goals 4 (Quality Education) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The program promotes inclusive and equitable education, helping to bridge the digital divide, while also addressing social inequalities by empowering low-income youth with the skills needed to thrive in the digital economy.

“The digital landscape is evolving rapidly, reshaping our lives in profound ways. At SWL Foundation, we are committed to ensuring that children from disadvantaged backgrounds are not left behind in this transformation,” said Tolulope Alabi, Chairperson of the Executive Council. “Through the DLASP, we aim to be a catalyst of change, equipping these children with the critical skills they need to shape their futures and contribute to the growth of our economy.”

Speaking about the curriculum, Programme Manager Tochi Onuchukwu explained that the program was customised by our technical partners NIIT for different age groups, with younger children gaining foundational knowledge in Microsoft Office tools, while older students delved into more advanced programming courses, including Python, Web Development, HTML, and CSS.

At the graduation ceremony, six outstanding students were awarded scholarships from the Simisola Gbadamosi Scholarship Fund, highlighting SWL Foundation’s dedication to nurturing talent and potential among underprivileged children.

The graduation is a significant milestone in the Foundation’s broader goal of uplifting underprivileged children, women, and families across Nigeria. Since its founding in 2013, SWL Foundation has positively impacted over 3,000 individuals through initiatives focused on education, healthcare, and hunger relief. In line with its vision to impact 10,000 families over the next 5 to 10 years, the Foundation will continue focusing on education and care initiatives that address the immediate and long-term needs of underprivileged families.

This next cohort of the DLASP program have resumed classes, which will run for another 3-to-6-month cycle. We will continue to do this as long as we are able to find sponsors to support us.

“Our mission has always been to give children the skills and confidence to rise above their circumstances. As we celebrate these young achievers, we are reminded that education is a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty,” said, Alabi.

About SWL Foundation

SWL Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged children, women, and families in Nigeria. Through programs in education, healthcare, and hunger relief, the Foundation aims to uplift communities and create sustainable change.