Dear friends, W.TEC is fundraising for our 2019 She Creates STEM Camps for girls. Thank you for your support of W.TEC over the years. With your help, we have been able to reach out and inspire just over 27,000 girls and women to use technology in more meaningful ways for learning, entrepreneurship, professional development and leadership. As International Women’s Day approaches, we reflect on the theme for this year: “Think equal, build smart, innovate for change”. Nowhere is the need for balance more important than in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). Research shows that across the world, women make-up only 36% of STEM students at the tertiary level. In Nigeria, women make up just 22% of the total number of Science, Engineering and Technology university graduates each year.
Data from the World Economic Forum shows that, across industries, many job roles will be significantly based on and enhanced by the use of technology. Without the technical and creative skills to work in and thrive in these industries, women will be shut-off from these important economic opportunities. We can do something about that today by investing in girls who will become tomorrow’s scientists, engineers and technologists. Creating safe spaces, where girls are able to learn to use and create technology is important in nurturing their curiousity and creativity and help develop skills that lead them to further learning and maybe eventually careers in STEM.
W.TEC’s She Creates Camp brings Science, Technology and Engineering to life and teaches girls to develop useful technologies that solve everyday and pressing societal problems. This seems to be working, as 86.21% of our alumnae surveyed stated that participating in the camp inspired them to pursue a STEM-related career path. In 2018, we expanded from 1 camp in Lagos to 4 camps across Lagos and Anambra states. In 2019, we will add a 5th camp in Ilorin, Kwara State. From February 28 to March 14, we will be raising money for these camps and hope you will support us. Please donate to us on International Women’s Day (Friday, March 8) and your donation will be matched i.e. we will receive twice the amount of your donation to us. We look forward to you joining us on this mission by supporting us at: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/w-tec-girls-technology-camp
We thank you and our girls thank you too. Warm regards, Oreoluwa Lesi Founder & Executive Director - W.TEC