Our Journey
We started with a simple belief: that every child in Africa deserves the opportunity to thrive through education and find their own voice within a supportive tribe.
From Campus Roots to Continental Change
Umbrella For the African Child was formerly known as Umbrella Ghana. The organization started as a student organization at African University College of Communications in Accra, Ghana. The aim was to educate Black students on the importance of being “African out loud” and to host interactive conversations and debates on how to contribute to the development of Africa and its communities.
With students from countries like Nigeria, Mali, Togo, and Kenya, the organization brought diverse voices together under one umbrella. Working with the Kwabena Nketiah Center of African Studies, the group organized powerful colloquies that shaped students’ growth. In 2020, the name and model evolved into Umbrella for the African Child, reflecting a renewed focus on children across the continent.
SDG 4 Commitment & Goals
We are dedicated to ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for every African child, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4.
Promote Literacy
We promote literacy and education so that every child, regardless of background, can access the tools to learn and thrive in a quality learning environment.
Fundamental Needs
We support children’s basic needs—such as nourishment, school supplies, and safe learning spaces—so they can focus entirely on their growth and education.
Nurture Leadership
We nurture leadership potential in young people, helping them build the confidence, voice, and skills to become the leaders their communities need for a brighter future.
A Message from the Founder
After graduating in 2017 from African University College of Communications with a degree in journalism, I moved to Kumasi for my national service at Ghana Broadcasting Corporation. In 2019, when I returned to Ajegunle in Lagos, Nigeria—the community where I grew up—I saw children facing drugs, hunger, gangs, and dropping out of school. I also noticed a deep gap: many young people had no mentors to guide them.Determined to respond to the challenges facing children in Ajegunle, I spoke with community leaders and friends, and we launched a mentorship program connecting teenagers with role models. Our first project welcomed 100 teenagers and four mentors from different fields. The feedback from parents and young people made it clear: this work needed to continue and grow.What began as a simple mentorship initiative has grown into Umbrella for the African Child, placing children’s well-being, education, and personal development at the center. Since 2020, our passionate team has been committed to keeping the dream of the African child in motion across communities and countries.