By Dipo Olowookere
A platform aimed at transforming children in the popular Lagos slum, Makoko, has been initiated by a collaborative effort between pan-African digital payment company, Interswitch Group, through its Foundation, and the Slum2School initiative.
Both organisations came together to mentor school children in a Mentorship Masterclass held on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at the STEM and Innovation lab in Adekunle Primary School, Makoko-Yaba.
The Mentorship Masterclass, which is a vehicle of the Interswitch Group’ Employee Volunteer Network under the Interswitch Foundation, is dedicated to raising young people who will solve Africa’s problems.
The first edition of the Mentorship Masterclass was themed Turning Problems into Opportunities; The African Narrative and was attended by children living in Makoko, a slum in Lagos.
In her opening remarks, Emuobosa Akpene, Head, CSR and Events, Interswitch, stated that the session was an avenue to nurture the untapped potentials in African children as problem solvers.
“There are so many underlying potentials within you and Interswitch believes in your abilities. We are counting on you to solve Africa’s problems,” she said.
The principal mentor of the day was Ehia Erhaboh, Group Head, Business Transformation and Excellence, Interswitch Group. He encouraged the students to identify opportunities in every problem. Ehia supported his words with inspiring videos of young Africans who had made huge impact in their communities.
The session was an educative, inspiring and interactive one for the Slum2school beneficiaries who were urged to turn the problems that exists within their environment into opportunities. There were many exciting activities for the students to participate in. The smiles on their faces proved that they had fun, as the students were very eager to answer questions and proffer innovative solutions.
Ehia further urged the students to always be ready to help and think of ways to make life better in their community.
“More importantly, you must learn to take action. No matter how much knowledge you have, it would all go to waste if you do not act,” he added.
The Interswitch Mentorship Masterclass is a mentorship series under the Interswitch Employee Volunteer Network. Each session will feature employees of Interswitch Group volunteering to engage, inspire and motivate students to achieve their dreams.
