Technological Empowerment
In our commitment to moving beyond basic donations and fostering long-term opportunity, The Gwags Foundation partnered with CODAM Technology, a Douala-based tech startup, to introduce under-resourced children to the world of innovation. This collaboration was grounded in a shared mission: to demystify technology and make it accessible, tangible, and exciting for children who are too often excluded from conversations about the future.
During one of our visits, CODAM brought a 3D printer and laptops into the orphanages — not just as novelties, but as tools for imagination and skill-building. The children were taught how to use basic coding platforms like Scratch to build their own animations and games. For most, it was their first experience writing code — watching simple logic turn into movement, sound, and interaction. Alongside this, they explored how a 3D printer works, witnessing their digital designs come to life as physical objects.
These weren’t just activities; they were moments of empowerment. For children who often feel left out of the digital world, this experience was a radical shift. The sessions sparked genuine curiosity, built confidence in their own abilities, and challenged them to see themselves not just as users of technology, but as creators and innovators in their own right. Many of the children, some of whom had never touched a computer before, found joy in solving problems, experimenting with code, and watching their ideas come to life on a screen or through a 3D print. It was hands-on learning that felt like play — where trial and error were not punished, but encouraged. More importantly, it reminded them that their imagination matters, and that they, too, can be part of shaping the future.
This partnership with CODAM exemplifies The Gwags Foundation’s broader goal: not just to support children in the present, but to equip them for the future. By integrating technology into our programming, we’re nurturing a generation of thinkers, builders, and leaders — proving that brilliance lives everywhere, even in overlooked spaces. Through partnerships like this, we continue to foster environments that nurture curiosity, knowledge, and hope — one child at a time.
