At just 14, Joshua Peters founded a not-for-profit organisation, GiveBack Backpacks, with a mission to bridge the education gap for young Nigerians. Three years later, his initiative has provided 200 laptops to students, including girls displaced from Chibok. This donation, valued at approximately $50,000, aims to enhance digital skills and learning opportunities for young people in Nigeria. The laptops were distributed during a Youth Empowerment Summit organised by the Society for Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN) in Ikoyi, Lagos. Each laptop came with a backpack containing educational materials, tech aids, and a water bottle.
Joshua Peters' conviction stems from the realisation that a student's future should not be determined by their place of birth. He believes that talent is widespread, but access to opportunities is not. His organisation seeks to address this disparity by providing technology-led learning to students who have been left behind. The recent donation is part of GiveBack Backpacks' efforts to equip young people with digital skills, expose them to new technologies, and enable them to solve problems in their communities. By doing so, Joshua hopes to create a more level playing field for students from diverse backgrounds.
The Youth Empowerment Summit, where the laptops were presented, brought together students, teachers, and partners to discuss ways to empower young people. Joshua addressed the gathering, emphasising that a young person's abilities should not be measured by the opportunities they were born into. He stated that widening access to learning would give talent room to grow. GiveBack Backpacks views a laptop not as a gift, but as a starting point for students to explore new opportunities. The organisation believes that a device can open doors to lessons, teach skills, test ideas, and give students a voice.
GiveBack Backpacks has a special focus on supporting young women displaced from Chibok, whose education has been disrupted. Through its partnership with SPAN, the organisation is providing access to digital learning and resources to help them get back on track. Joshua emphasised that these young women are not defined by the violence they experienced, but are students, learners, and future contributors with ideas and ambitions of their own. By investing in their education, GiveBack Backpacks aims to help them create a brighter future.
The laptops donated by GiveBack Backpacks are equipped with educational materials, tech aids, and a water bottle, to ensure that students have a comprehensive learning experience. Joshua believes that with practice and persistence, the tools received today can become opportunities created tomorrow. His organisation sees the laptop as a means to open lessons, teach skills, test ideas, and give students a voice. By providing these resources, GiveBack Backpacks hopes to empower young people to take control of their learning and create their own opportunities.
GiveBack Backpacks' work extends beyond the Chibok girls, as it also provides resources to other students with limited access to technology and school supplies. Joshua's initiative has made a significant impact in just three years, and he hopes to continue expanding access to learning for young Nigerians. The organisation's efforts have the potential to create a lasting impact on the education sector in Nigeria, by bridging the gap between students from different backgrounds.
The value of GiveBack Backpacks' work lies in the use of the laptops and resources provided. By giving students the tools they need to succeed, Joshua's organisation is empowering them to take charge of their learning and create their own opportunities. As the organisation continues to grow and expand its reach, it is likely to make a significant difference in the lives of many young Nigerians.
Key points
- GiveBack Backpacks provides 200 laptops to young Nigerians to enhance digital skills and learning opportunities.
- The organisation focuses on supporting young women displaced from Chibok, whose education has been disrupted.
- The initiative aims to bridge the education gap for young Nigerians, by providing technology-led learning and resources.
