Seeing The Vision, When Other's Don't.

I have the responsibility and privilege of visiting under-resourced schools. I witness the pure excitement of students engaging in subjects they enjoy and the joy in teachers' eyes when a struggling student finally "gets it."

However, I also see the immense strain these schools endure. Students line up for government-mandated lunches because many haven't eaten since the previous day. I've seen students walk kilometers to catch a taxi that takes them to another taxi, eventually leading them home. They often do their homework on empty stomachs, prepare for grade 11 exams, and manage household chores, only to wake up and repeat the arduous journey back to school.

We don't need to delve into how historical events have created these dire circumstances for thousands of students. This is their reality.

So, you might wonder, "Kamo, you're involved in coding and robotics—how can this possibly address the issues you've described?"

Good question, dear reader. The answer is: Not entirely. However, the opportunities that quality education provides can be a crucial key to helping learners step out of such dire situations.

Coding and robotics won't solve all the world's problems. They won't heal the wounds of the past, shorten the long commutes, or erase the legacy of Bantu education. But what they can do is open new realities for students who are just becoming familiar with technology. It allows students to develop skills they might never have encountered otherwise, making them highly sought after in the job and freelance markets. These skills can enable them to build and create online and, perhaps in the next 10-15 years, pull themselves and those around them into a better socio-economic environment.

I'm working toward a decade-plus dream. Amid grant applications, building case studies, compiling compelling impact narratives, budget meetings, rejections, progress and setbacks, watching competitors and collaborators navigate the same field, and dealing with doubts from management—the dream of 2035 and beyond is what drives me.

This vision keeps me moving forward, believing that the impact of coding and robotics education can indeed transform lives and communities.