I remember my first trip from Abuja to Zaria, Kaduna State. We passed through Suleja, Niger State, and I saw so many people through the car window. It was a weekday, yet countless children were on the streets instead of in school. I couldn’t stop wondering why.
Right then, something clicked in me, I wanted to do something about it. I wanted to help give them access to a better life. The answer was short and clear: education.
I knew that getting children into school could transform not just their lives, but the future of their communities in ways beyond imagination. Years later, I’m grateful to see that vision taking shape through my work at FlexiSAF Foundation.
Through our Accelerated Learning Program in Katsina, we’re helping out-of-school children, most of whom have never stepped into a classroom—catch up and gain the foundational skills they need to join conventional schools.
Working on the Accelerated Learning Program has been a deeply fulfilling journey for me. Over the past three months, we’ve seen remarkable changes. Children who were once disengaged are now building an interest in learning. They participate in class, connect with peers, and are gradually developing basic literacy and numeracy skills.
It hasn’t been easy. It took weeks of planning, consistent supervision, and the combined efforts of everyone involved—myself, the program officer, the supervisor, our instructors, and the entire FlexiSAF Foundation team. But the progress we’ve seen has been incredibly rewarding.
Our pupils went from not recognizing simple words or numbers to making attempts at reading, writing, and working with figures more confidently. They’re still learning, but the growth is clear.
Seeing their faces light up with the joy of learning is more than enough motivation to keep going. And this is just the beginning.
I’m proud of what we’ve achieved so far and even more excited about what lies ahead. I look forward to helping more children rewrite their stories and step into brighter futures—through education.
Written by Haleemah Abubakar