ChildSphere Development Initiative

For girls with limited opportunities to access basic literacy knowledge, being in class is only one part of the story. What truly matters is whether they are engaging with the lessons, acquiring basic knowledge, and gaining the confidence to transition back to formal schools.

The 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭, 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐤𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, is taking intentional action to bridge the gap between access to basic literacy education and meaningful learning outcomes for girls who have been left behind.

During our recent monitoring and evaluation visit, we observed the teaching methodology, interacted with the girls, and saw them actively participate in lessons, answer questions, and demonstrate what they had learned.

Through access to quality education, and consistent support, we are working to ensure that every girl has the opportunity to learn, grow, and transform her life.

There is nothing more inspiring than seeing girls take their first steps toward a brighter future through education.

Our team recently conducted a field monitoring visit to the 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 to observe the commencement of the Bridge Learning Sessions. We were thrilled to witness the enthusiasm, confidence, and eagerness of the girls as they began learning foundational literacy and numeracy skills.

This marks an important milestone in their learning journey, and we look forward to supporting them every step of the way.
This project is proudly supported by 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐤𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

Sustainable change begins when communities are empowered to lead it.

At ChildSphere Development Initiative, we believe that lasting impact is achieved when communities co-create their own solutions, take ownership of them, and mobilize their existing assets to address local challenges. While externally driven interventions often diminish once funding ends, community-owned solutions continue to grow and create lasting impact.

One question continually guides our work:

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐨-𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫-𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐧𝐝?

Our response is simple: build the capacity of communities to sustain the change themselves.

As part of this commitment, we recently convened a 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨-𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐛 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, bringing together community members and stakeholders to strengthen local ownership and collective action.

Through interactive discussions, practical exercises, and experience-sharing sessions, participants explored how to identify community assets, analyze local challenges, mobilize available resources, and develop sustainable, locally driven solutions. The training also strengthened participants' understanding of child protection and highlighted practical ways to activate community structures and stakeholders to safeguard children's well-being.

Through investing in local leadership, strengthening community systems, and fostering collaboration, we are laying the foundation for solutions that will continue to thrive long after project funding has ended.

This activity was implemented under the 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 (𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐏 𝐈𝐈) with the generous support of Luena Foundation.
Our sincere appreciation goes to our facilitators for sharing their knowledge and experience:
Khalifa Dankadai – U.S.-trained development practitioner and Executive Director, KDC Foundation.
Nura Ahmad Muhammad – Community Development Specialist.
Abba Bello Ahmed – Child Protection Specialist.

Together, we are building communities that lead their own development and protect every child's right to learn, grow, and thrive.

Meaningful conversations with parents are one of the strongest foundations for improving girls' access to education. Parents play a critical role in deciding whether a girl enrols in school, attends consistently, and completes her education. Their encouragement, commitment, and daily support can shape a girl's future.

As part of the 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭, ChildSphere Development Initiative recently held a community engagement session with the parents and caregivers of the selected girls who will participate in the programme.

The discussion created an open space to listen to parents' perspectives, understand the challenges affecting their daughters' education, and reinforce the important role families play in ensuring regular attendance, active participation, and successful completion of the project.

Building trust and working hand in hand with parents is essential to creating lasting community ownership and expanding educational opportunities for girls.

Together, we can help every girl learn, grow, and thrive.

This project is supported by 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐤𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

We were back in Sauna Community, spending time at the Community Skills Hub, where children are learning practical vocational skills through the Children’s Learning and Empowerment Project (CLEPII).

Across the different training areas, children repaired mobile phones, sewed complete outfits, made shoes independently, and proudly presented the handbags they had created, demonstrating the practical skills they are developing through the project.

We look forward to seeing how they continue to grow in the weeks ahead.

This project is supported by the Luena Foundation

The second day of our Staff Capacity Strengthening Retreat opened with a masterclass on High-Impact Project Design and Adaptive Management, led by Abdulazeez Musa Etudaye. The session encouraged us to think more carefully about how projects are designed, managed, and adapted as community needs change.

We also had role-specific mentoring sessions, where each team member met with an experienced professional in their field. It was an opportunity to ask questions, reflect on our individual roles, and learn from people whose experience speaks directly to the work we do.

As the retreat came to a close, we left with practical lessons that will continue to shape how we plan our work, collaborate as a team, and work alongside children, families, and communities.

The work we do needs us to keep learning.

As ChildSphere Development Initiative is transitioning from standard localized ex*****on to formal, model-driven delivery protocols, over the weekend, we brought our team together for the first day of two-days Staff Capacity Strengthening Retreat. The day was spent reflecting on community engagement, child rights, meaningful child participation, safeguarding, and the values that shape how we work alongside children and communities.

There was a lot to think about, especially the importance of listening first, building trust, and taking the time to understand people’s experiences before deciding what comes next.

We appreciate our versatile and experienced facilitators for sharing their experiences, and practical lessons with the team.

As ChildSphere Development Initiative continues to grow, so does the need for our team to keep learning, strengthening our skills, and preparing for the responsibilities that come with that growth.

This week, our team carried out a baseline learning assessment with children taking part in the 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬’ 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭.

As the children worked through the activities, our team listened, observed, and recorded their responses. It was a chance to understand what each child already knows before lessons begin.

This project is supported by 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐤𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Before meeting with the girls and the community, our team came together first.

We spent time talking about the objectives of the 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬’ 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭, why they matter, and what they mean for the girls and the community we will be working with.

This project is supported by alltheskyfoundation