One Girl, One Lesson, A Lifetime of Impact

She didn’t know what a Gmail was, now she helps others open theirs.

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Not every story begins with a spark.

Sometimes it begins with a question.

"Aunty Gold, what is a Gmail account, and how can I open one?"

I turned slowly to the teenage girl standing next to me. She was 16, sharp, and curious but had never sent an email in her life. No one had ever shown her how.

That moment did something to me. It showed me how far teenagers in Nigeria are from ICT.

I realized that the society is so polluted that teenagers can hold an Android phone and all they do is TikTok, Facebook and Snapchat.

I realized the power of teaching right and what it could cause in the life of One girl in a community.

I realized again why I do what I do not because I know it all, but because I know a little more than someone else and I’m willing to share it.

I work in tech quietly.

I’m the woman in a small community in Nigeria, helping girls figure out how to use Google tools like Google Doc, Sheet, Keeps,Slide , how to search for scholarships, and how to stay safe online.

So many times, my heart is broken cus my society, my country doesn't even see this as a problem.

I didn’t start this because of a title. I started it because I couldn’t stand watching girls miss out on opportunities simply because no one took the time to explain how tech works.

We’ve had WhatsApp group training. I’ve stayed up at night drafting guides in simple English.

I’ve introduced girls to platforms like CodeFirstGirls, CodingBlackFemales, Coursera, Youtube channels, Udemy and even World Pulse Free Digital Course etc.

No certification. Some free certificates. Just digital exposure and someone who believes in them.

Now, that same girl who didn’t know what a Gmail was?

She’s the one helping her schoolmates open theirs.

She’s now asking questions about graphic design and YouTube tutorials.

She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s already walking in her digital journey.

People think supporting girls in ICT in Nigeria has to be fancy.

But sometimes, it’s just saying:

“Come, sit. Let me show you how to create your first Google Doc.”

Come, sit. Let me show you how to create a meeting using Google meet

If girls are going to thrive in a digital world, then we ordinary women, mentors, big sisters must light the first match.

We don’t have to be perfect.

We just have to be present, point these young ones to sites they can learn for free.

And that’s what I’ve committed to.

To all the girls rising through tech:You don’t have to start big.You just have to start.

Am right behind you.

This Girls in ICT Day, I’m celebrating the quiet power of teaching one girl at a time.

Thank you to all the Platforms Online that are created to help girls get into Tech.🙏❤️❤️

#GirlsInICT #WorldPulse #TechForGirls #DigitalSisterhood #SimpleSkillsBigImpact