Hannah Kabrang is a software developer and executive director of Bloom Innovations.
Bloom Innovations, a Nigerian-based social enterprise, was established in the year 2020, with the sole aim of fostering interest in Science, Technology, Engineering Mathematics (STEM) careers among young people, particularly young girls living in the North East region of Nigeria.
Hexa: Tell us the story behind your enterprise and the impact so far
Hannah: The proliferation of global access to technology, the internet, and other innovations indicates that future generations should be (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) and STEM literate. In Northern Nigeria today, the science and tech sector has little or no structures that support and encourages the active participation of young girls in STEM-related fields. My passion for STEM literacy among young girls from the North East led me to establish Bloom Innovations. Bloom is a social base enterprise that is fully committed to the growth and development of STEM across North East Nigeria. Our goal is to empower young girls by tilting their interest toward these 21st-century realities by bringing everyone forward for sustainable and equitable development.
Hexa: Celebrate your wins. What is your greatest achievement so far?
Hannah: Since we began operations in 2020 Bloom innovations has so far empowered about 100 girls in Gombe State through our STEM club programs. One of our greatest achievements as an organization is hosting a Mathematics challenge for girls only, which was said to be the first of its kind with the maiden edition in 2021 and the second in 2022, perorations are currently ongoing for the third edition sometime around July this year.
Hexa: Apart from your social enterprise what other passions do you have?
Hannah: I have a passion for helping young people achieve their dreams, so when am not doing that am taking care of myself and my family. I have a baby so my life, for now, is dedicated to taking care of him with love. And with whatever time have left I write codes for money.
Hexa: Can you share some success stories from your programs, and how you have impacted students and their communities?
Hannah: Well there are lots of stories some directly or indirectly, I think the most recent is I believe I have been able to inspire young people, by telling them hey you can be a mother, and wife and still have a successful career in tech. And coming from a disadvantaged region in times of technological advancement I have been able to inspire more girls to Love MATHEMATICS through the Bloom Mathematics Challenge.
Hexa: How do you ensure that your programs are accessible to girls from diverse backgrounds and with varying levels of prior knowledge?
Hannah: Our curriculum and approach are designed to accommodate different types of learners, based on there are of interests by providing them access to mentors and resources to guide them on the right path to choosing a career in STEM and sustaining their interest as well.
Hexa: Can you share any challenges that your social enterprise has faced in promoting STEM education, especially in the NORTH East region of Nigeria, and how you have overcome them?
Hannah: Our major problem is acceptability, it’s quite a challenge introducing other STEM careers aside from medicine and pharmacy to these girls and actually convincing their parents and schools to register them in some of our programs. For us to create an impact we have to offer our services at a very subsidized fee and sometimes we offer free training, just to encourage people to key in.
Hexa: What are your future plans for expanding and improving your STEM education programs, and how do you see your social enterprise contributing to the field of STEM education in the years to come?
Hannah: Our activities are targeted at girls between the ages of 7-18 years of age we believe early exposure is paramount in the development of STEM in North East Nigeria. We are currently running a project called project 500, It is a training platform that seeks to engage 500 teenagers precisely girls within one year, the target group will be inspired and exposed to what is STEM and what it has for them in the future.
Hexa: Any specific projects you’ll like to get support on?
Hannah: Yes, we would love to have some financial support for project 500.
DONATION DETAILS:
Acct No: 7822805274
Acct Name: Bloom Innovations Enterprises
Bank: WEMA Bank
Contact email: info@bloom4Stem.com.ng
Website: www.bloom4stem.com.ng
Social media handle on Facebook, Twitter LinkedIn, and Instagram @Bloom4stem
