Deborah Mogho, the Executive Director of Kids Resource Centre and Smart Kids Literacy Foundation, is a literacy specialist and educator passionate about helping out-of-school children build confidence through literacy and creative skills. In a recent interview, she shared insights into her work and her thoughts on critical issues affecting children’s education, including social media’s impact, teenage pregnancy, and the importance of parental engagement.
The Origin of Kids Resource Centre
Mogho explained that the Kids Resource Centre was born out of a need she observed in Bonny Island, Rivers State, where many children were struggling with basic reading skills. “It wasn’t just primary school children; even secondary school students had difficulty spelling simple words,” she said. This prompted her to start a book club in her backyard in January 2022, initially with just six children. Within weeks, the number grew exponentially, eventually requiring a larger space.
Today, the Kids Resource Centre is a fully established facility dedicated to empowering children from underserved communities through literacy education and mentorship programs. Mogho emphasized, “Our mission is to ensure every child, regardless of their background, has access to quality education.”
Goals and Vision
Mogho’s vision is clear: to break the cycle of poverty in Nigeria through education. “We believe that education is the light that can bring about a break in this cycle,” she said. Her long-term goal is to see Kids Resource Centres established in every state across Nigeria, providing children with the tools and resources they need to succeed academically.
Initiatives and Strategies
To achieve these goals, the Kids Resource Centre has initiated several programs, including the ‘Read Across Slum’ project, which targets children living in slums. According to Mogho, out of five children in these areas, four have either never attended school or have dropped out. “It’s heartbreaking to see children attending school but still unable to read,” she noted.
The centre also runs a weekly book club, a Spelling Bee club, and other literacy-focused activities designed to build children’s confidence in reading, writing, and communication. One innovative program, ‘Kid Tedx’, encourages creative thinking by allowing children to tell stories and act them out, which Mogho says has significantly boosted their communication skills.
The Impact of Social Media on Literacy
On the topic of social media, Mogho highlighted its negative impact on children’s reading habits. “Social media is highly addictive, and parents must limit their children’s screen time,” she advised, stressing the importance of parental control and the need for children to focus on academics and activities that foster their intellectual growth.
Challenges and Solutions
Funding remains a significant challenge for the centre, but Mogho has developed sustainable programs to keep operations running. These include partnerships with schools, income-generating projects like the Spelling Bee Club, and summer camps. Another major hurdle is poor parenting, with many parents in slums prioritizing market errands over their children’s education. Teenage pregnancy also contributes to the high number of out-of-school children. To address these issues, Mogho and her team go door-to-door, encouraging families to prioritize education.
Impact and Future Plans
Since its inception, the Kids Resource Centre has impacted over 3,000 children. Mogho envisions expanding the centre to every state in Nigeria, providing affordable literacy education to children in need. “When given the opportunity, children become excited to learn, and with the right resources, we can create a brighter future for them,” she concluded
Through her initiatives, Deborah Mogho is making a significant impact on children’s literacy in Nigeria, empowering them to dream bigger and achieve more, regardless of their background.