Hello,
I’m Falade Olaitan Idowu, the founder and Program Coordinator of “Coding Awake”.
“Coding Awake” is a Girl-Child STEM initiative.
I am a passionate advocate for girls in the world of technology.
My journey, like that of many Nigerians, began in a school with limited technological resources. I remember gazing at the ancient and only computer in my school, more for amusement than education, dreaming of a future where I could use it for work. Compared to other schools in the community, I considered myself fortunate; at least my school had one, even though it was old and inadequate.
During computer science classes, our teacher, Uncle Mensah, would occasionally take us to our small computer room to show us parts of the computer without actual practical exercises. We watched in awe, eager to explore its functionality. I remember staring at the keyboard, imagining myself typing quickly and creating wonders on the computer screen. However, my initial enthusiasm for Computing Science waned due to limited exposure.
When I applied to university, I aimed to study science, particularly Medicine, as it was the dream of nearly every child to become a Medical Doctor. Ahmadu Bello University, however, led me down a different path when I was offered Chemistry. Upon entering university, I still harboured dreams of exploring the world of technology through a borrowed computer science course, COSC 101, but fear held me back. Believing that every other student was a tech guru, I convinced myself that I didn’t deserve a place in that world, especially since I didn’t even know how to turn on a computer. I gave up, unaware that most of them were novices like me.
Fast forward to my graduation. As it is no secret that one’s career path might be completely unrelated to their field of study, such as a theatre arts graduate working in a bank, not as an ad model but as a cashier, or a biochemist in the field of administration, I decided to explore any industry willing to employ me.
Yet, every formal job I sought required some level of technological skills; practical skills that were never taught in school. Thus began my struggle to become tech-savvy, from basic computing skills to digital marketing, data analytics, blogging, and more, based on job requirements, to enable me to thrive; a diverse skill set that should have been a vital part of our school curriculum.
My experiences in school and the job market transformed me. I witnessed the limitations of our educational system and the possibilities in the world of technology. Supported by my mentor, Ada Ada Innocent, a tech guru, problem solver, and SDG-8 advocate, the seed of Coding Awake was planted.
I couldn’t bear the thought of countless girls in rural Nigerian communities facing the same struggles I did. Imagine the hidden talents, the potential Mark Zuckerberg’s, Steve Jobs, and Einsteins of our rural communities whose abilities remain untapped simply because they lack access to the tools of the digital age.
Coding Awake is here to make a difference. We don’t just teach girls how to code; we equip them with the confidence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills they need to succeed in this ever-evolving world of technology. We show them that technology isn’t just for “computer guys” but for everyone. Support us today and be a part of our success story.
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