Digital technology has changed numerous activities in the world and continues to do so. The digital revolution has already matured in developed countries. However, developing countries, especially in Africa, are yet to realize the full potential of the benefits of technology. It is true that Africa has in recent years made tremendous progress from being a technological desert to a growing technological forest. Here in the Niger-Delta, students access technology basically via the use of their phones majorly and a little few of this digital natives know how to use a computer. Gender-wise, the boys are more interested in ICT than the ladies and this does not encourage gender equality. This is why we at THE VISIONARIES ACADEMY have come up with the Summer Technology Camp and other ICT related concepts geared at training these young people about the use of ICT and how to take it more like a career.
THE CONCEPT
The first edition of the Summer Technology Camp was held at two local government areas in Delta State, Uvwie LGA and Warri South LGA with a total participation of 616 participants who participated all for free. Surprisingly, the females were 398 while the male participants were 218. Most interestingly, we inaugurated ICT ambassadors in all the schools that participated in order for them to go back to their schools and train more people about what they have learnt. This we did to enable us keep communication with them and also invite them to other programs organized by our organization. The purpose of the Summer Tech Camp is directed towards engaging the kids during the holiday and to save them from the streets.
This summer, we intend to still maintain the regions we have but give more people the opportunity yo learn so we have gone to ALL the schools in the region to get the proposed participants registered like we normally do. The Summer Tech Camp will feature Innovation and Creativity competitions majorly on Film-Screening and Mobile opportunities. The Summer Tech Camp is proposed to commence August 8 and terminate by August 20, 2011 with a certificate presentation.
The Development Information Centre (a project of United Nations Information Centre and World bank) has agreed to partner with us on this initiative though without funding but will be providing Mainstream publicity, technical support, facilitators, souvenirs, Certificates for participants and amazingly, the International Year of the Youth for Nigeria will be celebrated at the Summer Technology Camp.
On the 12th of August, The International Year of the Youths will be held as a public youth event and will feature young leading Nigerians including: Chude Jideonwo of The Future Awards, Celestine Omin, Winner, Google Chrome Extention Challenge, Ogaga Maxwell, URI African Ambassador. This is a public event and all are cordially invited.
Time Table 9-10am 10-11am 11am-11:15am 11:15-12noon 12-1pm 1-2pm 2-2:30pm
08-Aug Introduction Basic computing Exercise Group work Motivation Competition Evaluation
09-Aug Basic Computing Science Video Break/ Networking Practicals Movie Evaluation
10-Aug Blogging Exercise Practicals Talent discovery Evaluation
11-Aug Group Work Talent Work Exercise Video Demo Creative session Motivation
12-Aug International Year of the Youth Day (IYY)
15-Aug Motivation Film Making/ Screening Environmental San Google Documenting Evaluation
16-Aug Creating Apps Break/ Networking Contest on Science fair Practicals
17-Aug Videos on ICT development Break/ Networking Representative of an ICT Centre Representative of DSHA
18-Aug Science dev/ Practicals Break/ Networking Career counselling/ Psychometric Competition
19-Aug Motivation Talent Work Break/ Networking Practicals Creative session Evaluation/ farewell
20-Aug Certification
THE ORGANIZATION
The Visionaries Academy (TVA) is a Not-for-profit organization focusing on ICT, Environment and Youth Entrepreneurship and has a proven track record of gross achievement in Youth Development Programs in the Niger- Delta region in less than 8 months of her existence. TVA is responsible for the Management and Organization of ICT clubs in different Secondary Schools across the region, TVA has also organized green initiatives which saw to the inauguration of Green Ambassadors also known as Climate Champions in collaboration with the Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition (NYCC) Abuja, Building Nigeria’s Response to Climate Change, BNRCC, also, Youth Internship programs tagged Before Graduation which has seen to the placement of young undergraduates in different internship positions and also, the epoch making 1st Summer Technology Camp in Delta State tagged ICT4Youths which saw to the inauguration of ICT Ambassadors for various schools in different regions. Our core values include Accountability, Integrity and Delivery and we also have a board of advisors consisting of reputable and integrity-profiled personalities including Chief (Mrs) Ochuko Orogun of Delta Broadcasting Service who has been profiled as one of Delta State’s greatest activist on Integrity and Accountability, Mrs. Ufuoma Ajuwa, a Senior Information Civil Service Worker attached to the Warri-South LGA. So far, we have had partnerships and collaboration with Institutions and organizations such as Microsoft Nigeria, Paradigm Initiative, Delta Broadcasting Service, Warri-South Local Government Council, Uvwie Local Government Council, Ministry of Education, BNRCC, and NYCC.
The Visionaries Academy was born out of a passion to raise young people in the Niger-Delta as Visionaries rather than as Militants or Kidnappers via youth led initiatives poised to position the community better. We have successfully hosted events which include:
- Operation Save The Green; a 3-day event which was done to commemorate the World Environment Day. June 3-5, 2010
- Summer technology Camp: a 2 weeks hands-on training on the use of ICT. August 16- Sept 13, 2010
- Climate Change Workshop: for Green Ambassadors in partnership with Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition and Nigerian Environmental Study Team. November 14-16, 2010.
- Warri Makeover: A community social development activity poised to rebrand the image of Warri. March 25-26, 2011
- TENT; A 2-day training organized by Paradigm Initiative Nigeria poised to raise young Mobile enthusiasts between the ages of 13-25 and train them on mobile opportunities. May 13-14, 2011.
For more Enquires Contact:
THE VISIONARIES ACADEMY
7, Onoriji Street, off Ayodele, Refinery Road, Ekpan Delta state
or Call: +2348026105830, +2348038924660, +2348073128431
Email: thevisionariesacademy@gmail.com, http://thevisionariesacademy.org
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To Partners
To Partners
Did you know this year is the International year of youth? Well, you do now. The year will officially end on 12 August: International Youth Day.
