The MarBen Foundation has concluded its KIDS STEAM Bootcamp (Borno Cohort), a five-day intensive training program aimed at equipping children in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps with digital literacy, coding skills, and foundational 21st-century competencies.
Held from September 1–5, 2025, the program convened 102 children from two IDP camps in Borno State. Sessions took place at the ICT Centre of Ramat Polytechnic, supported through partnerships with The Destiny Trust, Gamsu, and Kingmakers.
According to the Foundation, children in IDP camps remain among the most digitally marginalized in Nigeria, prompting the launch of the bootcamp to bridge the widening digital literacy gap. More than 75% of participants were using a computer for the first time—an indicator the Foundation described as “disturbing” and reflective of broader educational inequalities.
Organizers reported heightened curiosity and increased interest in technology among participants, many of whom were introduced to coding, basic computing, and creative problem-solving for the first time. The initiative also underscored the importance of collaboration with community organizations and local institutions in delivering impactful educational interventions.
The MarBen Foundation called for a structured system of continuous learning for children in IDP camps, particularly those with no access to digital devices or online platforms. It also emphasized the need for sustainable funding models, stronger partnerships within the camps, and the establishment of community-based digital learning hubs to ensure long-term access to technology education.
The Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to expanding opportunities for underserved children and ensuring that geographical or socioeconomic barriers do not limit access to quality learning.