On a bright morning in Irrua, Edo State, a mother sat with flour-streaked hands, learning the art of making peanuts. A day before, she had brought her children to the center and eagerly watched from outside the classroom, fascinated by what they learned.

At the same center, it was a young girl's first time holding a clipper. Surrounded by other children and her instructor, she expertly learned the art of barbing.  Thousands of kilometers in the state of Lagos, another young girl’s feet patter to the rhythm of dance and drumming. She has always wanted to explore her love for drumming, but in church, she was told “girls cannot be drummers” until she found her tribe in the slums of Bariga during the Special Summer School Program. 

These moments tell the story of more than just a summer program. They capture the heart of a movement that reached over 12,000 children across 14 centers in 9 states this year. From basic cooking skills to coding to making beautiful bags and shoes with their own hands, this summer, the lessons and impact are poised to keep shaping lives long after the summer is past.

More Than a Program, a Movement

The Special Summer School has never been about simply filling time during the holidays. For thousands of children, it’s an opportunity to catch up on learning, develop new skills, and discover their own potential. But this year, it became a movement that reached across states, connected families, and opened new doors of possibility.

Children were given access to practical life skills, mentorship, and values that will guide them for years to come. In every lesson, game, and activity, the goal was clear: to ensure that no child is left behind, no dream is out of reach, and no talent is overlooked.

More Than Numbers

Numbers matter, but behind every number is a story. And the stories of transformation from this year’s Summer School reveal the true impact of the program. It can be seen in the faces of children who returned home brimming with excitement, parents who saw their children dream bigger, and volunteers who left inspired by the resilience of every learner.

Behind every statistic is a story of hope and resilience. And the end of summer does not mean the end of learning. The lessons gained, confidence, creativity, responsibility, and resilience, are carried into homes, classrooms, and communities. Parents are inspired to nurture their children’s curiosity. Teachers/Facilitators are encouraged by the progress of their pupils. Volunteers continue to champion the cause of education with fresh passion.

For The Special Foundation, the 2025 Special Summer School is not the finish line; it is a milestone. Each program is part of a bigger mission: to transform the lives of 100,000+ children by 2030. And as these young learners step into the next school term, they do so with stronger skills, brighter dreams, and deeper confidence.

The Work Continues

The flour on a mother’s hands, the hum of clippers in a young girl’s grasp, the laughter of children discovering new ideas, these are proof that education, when delivered with creativity and care, can transform generations.

The summer may be over, but the work of shaping futures continues. We are immensely grateful to all our partners who made this year’s edition of the Special Summer School program a rousing success. And with each one of you, we move closer to a world where every child has the chance to thrive.

Remember, every child is your child, and every child has a right to dream. Join us today. Together, let’s carry these lessons forward and keep transforming lives.