Our Generation can make a Difference Too

In keeping with its vision to promote education in Togolese communities by engaging local youth, Nukoko is determined to promote this mission of capacity building in its own backyard. This belief that youth play an incremental role in improving their communities is the inspiration behind the My Generation Will Make a Change pilot program. The Nukoko team is working diligently on developing this pilot outreach program, which will teach young Canadians in grades 7 & 8 about the importance of education, and the effects it has on communities in developing areas of the world, particularly in Togo.

The purpose of this program is to provide students, parents, and school staff with information about children in Togo, and the need for education about health, environment and gender equality in Togolese communities. Nukoko believes that by educating youth about the vastly different realities faced by people of their own age across the globe, and the subsequent need for universal education, an attitude of global interdependence and responsibility will be inspired.

The pilot of the My Generation Will Make a Change program is catered to Ottawa and Toronto students in grades 7 and 8, with the belief that the lessons taught in the classroom will extend to the parents and friends of the students involved in the program. Nukoko plans to explore a range of topics related to community development and education access, including health, environment, and gender equality. All these topics are based on the theme of education, and the latter’s tremendous impact on children and communities alike. To maximize the impact of these lessons, session topics will align with Ministry of Ontario curriculum guidelines of these grade levels, and will incorporate educational methods that are likely to capture student attention, such as story-telling, arts and crafts, or role play activities. In this program, Nukoko will offer an overview of session topics, materials and resources to parents and teachers, and will happily meet to discuss the program, so that everyone can engage with the material and support the students as they learn about the importance of education worldwide. This will inspire curiosity and a sense of responsibility that will allow students to realize what can be done at various levels, be it local or national, to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development.

The pilot program is currently in its early stages of development, but team members are happy to report that much progress has been made throughout the past months. Currently, is connecting with local teachers in order to acquire a better understanding of the elementary school curriculum, which would ensure optimal delivery of the session topics. Nukoko is thrilled with the potential of this project, and believes that promoting a sense of global awareness and responsibility among children in countries such as Canada is one of the first and most critical steps to achieving sustainable development in Togo.