5-Year ICT Training for 24 Girls in Care Homes

The Girls Tech initiative is a visionary five-year ICT development project launched by Tabitha Home, inspired by the 2021 International Day of the Girl Child theme, "Digital Generation, Our Generation." The initiative was conceived to bridge the gender gap in technology by equipping girls and young women in three care homes in Ibadan with essential digital and ICT skills. Since its inception in 2021, the program has progressively advanced in scope and depth, aiming to create equal access to digital opportunities for girls in underserved communities.

Currently in its fourth year, Girls Tech 1.4 marked a major step in the ongoing roadmap by focusing on coding, website development, and basic data analysis. The program provided participants with hands-on learning in web technologies and foundational tools necessary for the digital era. The training spanned eight sessions across four weeks and was implemented in collaboration with Expert Education Center, which provided facilitators, laptops, and venue; and 7Up Bottling Company, which supported participant refreshments (drinks and water).

A total of 22 girls participated: 6 from Tabitha Home, 4 from Kent Home, and 12 from JCMO. They were supported by 4 facilitators and 4 volunteers who ensured smooth delivery of the training sessions, offered technical guidance, and mentored participants throughout the course.

Program Overview

The fourth edition of the Girls Tech project officially commenced on August 14, 2024, and concluded on September 3, 2024. A total of eight training sessions were held, targeting girls from three participating homes. The curriculum covered key aspects of ICT including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, data analysis using Excel, responsive web design, website deployment via GitHub, and an introduction to Python programming using Google Colab.

Session Highlights

• Day One (14th August 2024): The session began with participant registration, a welcome address, and a recap of Girls Tech 1.3. A pre-training survey assessed participants' baseline knowledge. The day featured introductory lessons on coding using Python’s “Hello, World!” program and HTML basics, enabling participants to build simple personal webpages. The day concluded with Q&A.
• Day Two (16th August 2024): A recap session led into deeper exploration of HTML, including tables, forms, and lists. The CSS module introduced basic styling elements. Participants practiced designing and styling forms to solidify their understanding.
• Day Three (21st August 2024): Participants learned to build structured, multi-page websites. Emphasis was placed on integrating multimedia content and using layout structures like divs. Each student began developing a five-page website project.
• Day Four (23rd August 2024): The day introduced data analysis using Microsoft Excel. Participants worked with basic formulas such as SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, and MAX, and learned how to visualize data using bar and pie charts. They created sample datasets and practiced applying these analytical tools.
• Day Five (28th August 2024): The session commenced with a welcome address, recap, and hands-on teamwork. Participants used Google Docs and Google Sheets for content management. The facilitator introduced GitHub, teaching participants how to launch and host their websites online. The day also featured collaborative exercises on file management and Microsoft Excel.
• Day Six (30th August 2024): The class covered multimedia integration, including how to embed audio and video on websites, use of the Command Prompt, and advanced CSS techniques. Participants also explored Bootstrap to enhance their design skills. Assignments were reviewed and corrected, fostering learning through iteration.
• Day Seven (2nd September 2024): Students were divided into two team— Team Daughters of Zion and Team Excellence —to build full websites for a care home. Under supervision and with one-on-one facilitator guidance, the teams developed functional projects. In the second session, the instructor introduced Python for data analysis using Google Colab, offering a glimpse into real-world applications of coding.
• Day Eight (3rd September 2024): The final session opened with a recap and participants completing a post-training survey. Final group projects were presented, showcasing the skills learned. Judges, including facilitators and Tabitha Home staff, assessed the websites. Team Daughters of Zion emerged as the best-performing team. A brief revision followed before certificates were presented to all participants, facilitators, and volunteers. The event concluded with a celebratory meal and closing remarks.

Outcomes and Impact

The Girls Tech 1.4 program successfully empowered participants with practical knowledge in coding, data handling, and web design. Each girl deployed a personal portfolio website, reflecting her individual learning journey. The team-based project encouraged collaboration, problem-solving, and creativity. Many participants, especially first-timers, gained confidence in using ICT tools they previously had no access to.

Furthermore, the initiative fostered teamwork and leadership, as seen in group assignments and peer recaps. The post-training survey results indicated increased proficiency across key learning areas, validating the effectiveness of the training.

Conclusion

Girls Tech 1.4 has proven to be a transformative learning experience that continues to fulfill the vision of equipping vulnerable girls with digital skills for the future. As the fourth installment in a five-year roadmap, this edition reaffirms Tabitha Home’s unwavering commitment to digital inclusion, education, and gender equity. With one more year remaining in the project, the foundation has been firmly laid to produce a generation of confident, tech-savvy young women ready to take on the digital world.

Links:

• GIRLS TECH 1.4 ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS
• GIRLS TECH PROJECT OVERVIEW