Hello, TMA Superhero!

June gave us one of those moments you don’t forget in a hurry.

Two of our students got paid. For real work. For the first time in their lives.

That’s just the beginning of what happened this month — there’s iron rods on the ground, a new 3D printer in the classroom, bonnets flying off the shelf, and 150 children waiting to access quality education.

Let’s get straight into today’s newsletter.

Two Students Received Their First Salary. 💸

Last month, we launched an internship track inside our own school – placing students in supervised roles supporting day-to-day school operations. The goal: give children from underserved communities their first taste of real-world employability, long before they ever enter the job market.

Last week, that goal became real.

Our student interns got paid for their work. And the excitement on their faces was palpable.

This is what we mean when we say we’re not just teaching children — we’re preparing them for the real world. A free education is the first step.

Real-world experience is what turns that education into opportunity.

25 Tons of Iron Rods Just Arrived 🏗️

We are making progress every day on our school building project.

A few weeks ago, 25 tons of TMT iron rods were delivered to our school building site. Thank you so much to everyone who has donated and supported – your donation is making room for thousands of children to access an education that would change their lives, at no cost.

For anyone just seeing this for the first time: we are building a free school in Ota, Nigeria, for children whose families earn less than ₦30,000 ($25) a month. And you can be part of it.

You can donate a bag of cement — ₦11,000 per bag:
Account Number: 1023986519
Account Name: Talent Mine Foundation
Bank Name: United Bank for Africa (UBA)

Or you can build a classroom in your name, your organisation’s name, or in memory of a loved one. Learn more and sign up here → bit.ly/tmaclassroomsetup

This is an opportunity to build a legacy that will transform the lives of millions of children across many generations. Be a part of it today!

Our STEAM Students Now Have a 3D Printer! 🧑‍🔬⚗️

Science class is about to get really interesting.

Earlier in June, a 3D printer was delivered to our school. This printer will enable our students to bring their creative ideas to life by creating 3D models.

Talent Mine School is already known for project-based learning, where our students think critically and create solutions to problems in their communities. This printer will further strengthen our vision of raising the next generation of problem solvers.

The excitement on the children’s faces said it all.

This 3D printer was made possible by the incredible donation of Flashforge and Generativecad. We love you guys.

What do you think should be the first product we print? Share your ideas in the comments.

From Concept to Creation: Our Students’ First Real Design Session 🧑‍🔬

A week ago, our students at Talent Mine School had their first real introduction to 3D design and printing — made possible through a partnership with The STEAM Innovation Foundation, led by Roti Balogun (also a founding board member of Talent Mine Academy) and facilitated by Steven Loya.

Using the printer recently donated to our school, students moved through a full hands-on session – designing a phone holder from scratch, then printing a boat. The complete journey from concept to creation in one afternoon.

For children from low-income communities who often have little to no exposure to emerging technology, sessions like this do more than teach a skill. They expand what a child believes is possible for their own future.

This is the model we believe in at Talent Mine School: pairing free, high-quality academic education with hands-on, future-ready skills – so our students are prepared not just to participate in tomorrow’s economy, but to help build it.

We’re deeply grateful to The STEAM Innovation Foundation for investing in our students’ potential, and to every partner and sponsor who makes opportunities like this possible.

If your organisation is exploring ways to expose underserved students to STEM, design, or innovation — we’d love to talk.

One Month In, and Our Entrepreneurs Are Already Selling 🧵

We are officially one month into our entrepreneurship programme, and it feels like we’ve been doing this forever.

Our students have gained real mastery in their craft. In fact, they’ve already given out and sold some of their bonnets – actual products, made and sold by children who, weeks ago, had never touched a sewing machine.

We can’t wait for Talent Mine Store to be publicly open to everyone.

Who’s excited? 🙋🏽‍♀️

150 Children. One Chance at Better Education. 📝

For every child, education shouldn’t be a luxury.

This is why last Saturday, we held our entrance examination for the 2026/2027 academic session.

It was beautiful to watch the influx of parents and children walking through our gates, hopeful for a better chance at quality education.

This session, we are enrolling 150 children from low-income communities, providing each with access to high-quality education at no cost.

This is where you come in.

For just ₦500,000–₦600,000 a year, you can be the reason a child walks into a classroom every single day.

If this is the kind of change you want to be part of, we would love to have you with us.

👉 Register your interest today: bit.ly/tmasponsorship

We Are Hiring — And We Need the Right People 🚀

Talent Mine Academy is growing, and we are looking for extraordinary people to grow with us.

We are building something that matters: a free school where children from low-income communities become the kind of people who solve problems and change their world. And we need the right people in the room.

We are looking for:

🏫 Teachers — Early Childhood, Primary & Chemistry
You will design and deliver problem-based lessons that connect what children learn to real challenges in their community.

⚙️ Operations Officer
You will keep the school running — managing procurement, the feeding program, transportation, facilities, and events so that teachers can teach and students can thrive.

This is an invitation to work that is deeply purposeful. If you are skilled, driven, and ready to do the hard and rewarding work of building something that lasts — we want to hear from you.

Learn more and apply here → bit.ly/tmacareer

Please share with anyone whose skills and passion align. You might just connect them to the work they were made for.

See You Next Month! 🚀

What a read! We know. 😊

July is going to bring even more — the 2nd graduation ceremony, the Talent Mine Store launch, and, hopefully, many more first pay cheques.

Every update we share, every iron rod laid, every bonnet sold, every child who walks through our gates for the first time — it all happens because you’re in our corner.

Thank you for reading, for sharing, and for believing in what education can do.

Spread the word. Share this newsletter.

And we’ll see you next month. 😎

Hello, TMA Superhero!

May was one of those months where you’d walk through our school gates and not quite recognise the place — in the best way.

Our students were sewing. Others are creating innovative projects. Some were running operations within the school. A few of them took a trip back in time. And 900 bags of cement arrived at our school, carrying the future of 600 more children on their backs.

There’s a lot to share. Let’s get into it.

900 Bags of Cement Delivered ✅

This month, 900 bags of cement arrived at our school building site.

We want you to sit with that for a second—because this is such a huge milestone for our community and us.

With these bags of cement, we are underway in building more classrooms. When complete, 600 more children will walk through our gates every year.

We still need 2,840 more bags to get there. If you’d like to contribute a bag — or ten — you can donate here: → bit.ly/tmaschool

OR transfer directly:

Bank Name: United Bank for Africa (UBA)
Account Number: 1023986519
Account Name: Talent Mine Foundation

Every child deserves access to quality education. You can help make that possible.

Our Children Are Now Entrepreneurs.

This month, we officially launched TEEP — our entrepreneurship and employability program — and things got real, fast.

Our children are not just learning about business. They are doing business.

Here’s what May looked like inside TEEP:

🧵 Fashion Design — Our children have been designing and producing items, such as silk hair bonnets.

🔬 STEM & Science — some of our children are building and creating solutions. Prototypes. Products. Things that solve problems.

👩🏻‍🦱 Hair Dressing — yes, our children are producing wigs. Full tracks. Original music.

🧶: Crocheting — the kids have been mastering crocheting, and in just two weeks, they have made beautiful handmade scrunchies.

And we are happy to share that some of these products are being prepared for export. Very soon, they will be available for purchase at Talent Mine Market — our upcoming marketplace.

Watch out for that announcement. You won’t want to miss it.

Employment Pathway at TMA 🏫

As part of TEEP, we launched an internship track within the school itself. Two of our children are currently interning — managing the kitchen, checking classroom inventory, and working alongside staff to coordinate school activities.

This is what employability looks like at TMA — creating an environment for our children to take responsibility through experience.

We are proud of them!

History Class Left the Classroom. 🏛️

In May, our children visited the National Museum in Lagos, Nigeria, for their history class.

Everything they had been reading about in their textbooks — they got to see it, touch it, and ask questions about it in real life. You could imagine the look on their faces when the stories from the pages became three-dimensional objects in front of them.

This is exactly what education should feel like. Not just knowing — but experiencing.

A Visit to Covenant University 🏆

Early this month, our students were invited by Project One Million Souls at Covenant University to their Festival of Love.

For many of our children, it was their first time stepping outside their school and their community.

And they didn’t just show up. They showed out.

Across three game categories, TMA students took 2 first-place finishes and 1 third-place finish.

We already knew our children were brilliant. This day reminded us they are also bold, competitive, and completely unstoppable when given a stage.

But beyond the trophies — watching them laugh, run, interact with new people, eat good food, cut cake, and take what felt like a thousand pictures — that right there is why we do this work.

This is definitely going to our memory bank.

We’re Hiring 🚀

Talent Mine Academy is growing, and we are looking for extraordinary people to grow with us.

We are building something that matters: a free school where children from low-income communities become the kind of people who solve problems and change their world. And we need the right people in the room.

We are looking for:

🏫 Teachers — Early Childhood, Primary & Chemistry You will design and deliver problem-based lessons that connect what children learn to real challenges in their community.

📋 Program Manager – TEEP You will run our vocational, employability and entrepreneurship program on the ground, helping our children build career readiness skills and actual businesses.

📚 Curriculum Implementation Lead You will spend most of your time in classrooms – coaching teachers, modelling lessons, and making sure our problem-based learning approach is excellent across the school.

⚙️ Operations Officer You will keep the school running — managing procurement, the feeding program, transportation, facilities, and events so that teachers can teach and students can thrive.

This is an invitation to work that is deeply purposeful. If you are skilled, driven, and ready to do the hard and rewarding work of building something that lasts — we want to hear from you.

Learn more and apply here → bit.ly/tmacareer

Please share with anyone whose skills and passion align. You might just connect them to the work they were made for.

See You Next Month! 🚀

June is going to be a big one. Keep an eye on this space — and especially on Talent Mine Market when it launches.

Every update we share, every child who sews a bonnet or produces a beat, every classroom that goes up — it happens because you’re in our corner. Thank you for reading, for sharing, and for believing in what education can do.

Spread the word. Share this newsletter.

And we’ll see you next month. 😎

Hello, TMA Superhero!

Welcome to another vibrant edition of our Talent Mine newsletter!

April was a celebratory month at our free school. The month started on a high note with our cultural day, which was colourful and culturally entertaining; the students also wrote their second-term examinations, and the month ended with Talent Mine School's 3rd anniversary.

There’s a lot to unpack; let’s dive in.

An Unforgettable Cultural Day 🥰

We said 'Cultural Day'. We didn’t say it was going to be THIS good.🔥

The decorations were beautiful. The student dance performances gave us chills.

Then the teachers and team members stepped up for the dance competition, and the whole place went absolutely lit.

And the food – amala, semo, donkwa, kuli kuli – not a single crumb was left. Everybody was licking their fingers and going back for more. 😋

We took so many pictures, we laughed so much, and nobody wanted to leave. This one’s going in the memory book forever.

Check our Instagram page for all the beautiful videos and pictures we took.

Double the Celebration! 🎂

April marked not one, but two major birthdays for us at Talent Mine:

• Talent Mine Academy (our non-profit) turned 7!

• Talent Mine School (our free school) turned 3!

We’re so excited and thought this would be the perfect moment to share a slice of our story with you.

Talent Mine Academy @ 7 years

On April 12, 2019, our visionary founder and executive director, Aramide Kayode, held the first Saturday lesson for children in her community. At the time, she was teaching in a government school where she noticed massive learning gaps among her students and met children who weren’t even enrolled in school. That Saturday, she invited all of them — enrolled or not — to learn.

That day planted the seed for what would become Talent Mine Academy.

This has resulted in:

• 500+ empowered children

• Over 60 partnerships nationally and globally

• Over ₦200M raised

• 100+ families reached

• A Tuition-Free School

Talent Mine School @ 3 years

Fast forward to April 27, 2023 — the official launch of Talent Mine School, a free school offering 15 years of quality education to children from low-income communities.

In just 3 years, we have:

✅ Enrolled over 113 children
✅ Moved from a rented space to our very own property
✅ Built a passionate team of 20+ staff members
✅ Graduated our first set of secondary school pupils
✅ Served 19,530+ nutritious meals across 210 school days
✅ Completed 40+ changemaking projects — from solar houses to USB-powered blenders
✅ Won 2nd place in a STEM competition — Suliat and Aliu made us so proud!
✅ Won 2nd place in a DEBATE competition
✅ Launched our secondary school, providing 15 years of free education from Kindergarten to SS3
✅ Currently expanding our learning facility to accommodate 600 children annually

What’s more? Our children enjoy free tuition, school uniforms, books, daily feeding, and entrepreneurship training.

Pretty amazing, right?

Well, this has been made possible by the incredible system of support behind our work — our teachers, student leaders, board of directors, ambassadors, donors, sponsors, and God Almighty.

Because you believe in the power of education, hundreds of once out-of-school children now come to school every day.

Thank you for believing in us.

We’re Hiring 🚀

We’re hiring across teaching and non-teaching roles for people who want to make a real impact through education.

Teaching Roles:
🟡 Business (Accounting, Marketing, Economics),
🟡 Food & Nutrition and Catering Craft,
🟡 Chemistry

Non-teaching Role:
🟡 Video Storyteller/Content Creator (In-Person – Ota, Ogun State):

We’re looking for a creative storyteller to capture and share the powerful, everyday moments happening in our school through video and content.

If you’re passionate about education, storytelling, and shaping the future, we’d love to hear from you.

Note that this is an in-person role and the location is Ota, Ogun State.

Apply here:
Teaching roles → bit.ly/TMATEACH
Visual Storyteller → bit.ly/tmacareer

Please share with anyone who might be a great fit.

Building a Free School in Nigeria

For the past three years, our focus has been on providing quality education to children living in low-income communities.

During this time, we have encountered many children who are unable to access this standard of education, particularly because of financial limitations.

The growing number of out-of-school and underserved children has strengthened our commitment to expand our school so we can reach more children and provide the education they need to rise out of poverty and become problem-solvers in their communities.

Last year, we moved into our permanent school property to create more space for out-of-school children to receive quality learning in a safe and conducive environment.

This year, we are taking the next step by expanding the facility to accommodate 600 children every year.

Our new facility will include:
✅ 20 fully equipped classrooms
✅ STEM laboratory
✅ ICT laboratory
✅ Music laboratory
✅ Arts laboratory
✅ Cafeteria
✅ Modern library with reading resources
✅Multipurpose hall

To complete this project, we are inviting individuals and organisations who want to leave a lasting legacy to sponsor this building.

Here’s how you can be part of this:

1. Build a classroom
Build a classroom in your name or your organisation’s name for ₦20 million (~$14,517), fully furnished.
Sign up here: bit.ly/tmaclassroomsetup

2. Donate bags of cement
Donate a bag of cement for ₦11,000 (~$8) per bag.
We need 3,740 bags to complete the project.
Donate here: bit.ly/tmaschool

You can transfer directly to:
Bank Name: United Bank for Africa (UBA)
Account Number: 1023986519
Account Name: Talent Mine Foundation

Every child deserves access to quality education. You can help make that possible.

A Special Shout-out!

Every month, we receive generous donations of food items to support our free, daily school feeding program.

Thank you to every superhero who makes this possible.

You’re the reason our children get to dream, learn, and grow.

See You Next Month! 🚀

Every update we share, every story we tell, every child who walks through our gates — it all happens because you’re in our corner.

Thank you for reading, for sharing, and for believing in what education can do.

Spread the word. Share this newsletter. And we’ll see you next month. 😎

Between you and me, don’t you think the year is flying fast? I can still remember January 1st as if it were yesterday.

Now, March is drawing to a close; truly, these are the days to count your blessings.

And that has been our posture at Talent Mine Academy—gratitude.

A lot has been happening within the school, including the following:

🟡 Expanding our team to deliver improved quality education to our students.

🟡 Our student leadership team is guiding the school and demonstrating the essence of servant leadership – it's so inspiring to see them grow in service.

🟡 Our students are engaging with STEM challenges and designing innovative solutions.

🟡 We have welcomed guests from around the world to visit our school and witness the impact of our work firsthand.

🟡 Strategic meetings have been held for fundraising and planning, all aimed at providing a world-class education for our students.

And then there is you, our superhero, who has been privileged to make all this possible for us. For these and more, we are deeply grateful.

Now, onto the highlights of the month…

We’re Hiring 🚀

We’re hiring across teaching and non-teaching roles for people who want to make a real impact through education.

Teaching Roles:
🟡 Business (Commerce, Accounting, Marketing, Economics),
🟡 Food & Nutrition and Catering Craft,
🟡 Chemistry

Non-teaching Role:

🟡 Video Storyteller/Content Creator (In-Person – Ota, Ogun State):

We’re looking for a creative storyteller to capture and share the powerful, everyday moments happening in our school through video and content.

If you’re passionate about education, storytelling, and shaping the future, we’d love to hear from you.

Note that this is an in-person role and the location is Ota, Ogun State.

Apply here:
Teaching roles → bit.ly/TMATEACH
Visual Storyteller → bit.ly/tmacareer

Please share with anyone who might be a great fit.

TMA is Now Fully Solar-Powered! 😎

We are beyond excited at Talent Mine Academy!

Earlier this month, we received an incredible donation from Mr A., one of our amazing donors, which helped us power our school with solar energy.

Before now, electricity had been a major challenge for us. Every week, we spend between ₦25,000 and ₦50,000 ($18-$36) to keep the classroom lights and fans on and ensure operations run smoothly at the school.

One of our goals this year was to reduce this cost by fully solarising the school.

At the start of the month, we received an incredible donation and purchased our solar system.

Now:
✅ Our kids learn in a more conducive environment.
✅ There is no hindrance to our digital skills classes.
✅ Our school team can charge their laptops and increase their efficiency and output.

Thank you, Mr A., for this generous donation. It means a lot to our kids and our team.

We invite you to be a part of the impact we are making here. You can check out our support list here.

Innovation Day was a blast. 💃🏽

Our students made eight impactful projects.

Yesterday, TMA students presented solutions to real problems in their community.

A talking robot. A windmill. A water dispenser. An electric fan. A recycling waste bin.

All built from cardboard boxes, batteries, paper, and recycled materials.

This is Innovation Day at Talent Mine Academy – and it’s one of the most powerful ways we use education to raise problem solvers.

Every term, our students identify problems around them and build models to solve them.

But here’s what made yesterday extra special: we challenged the parents to do the same thing.

This is what education looks like when it’s designed to raise thinkers, builders, and problem-solvers, not just to learn.

Cultural Day is Coming — And We Want YOU There! 💃🏽

Mark your calendar: April 1st is our Cultural Day — and this year, it’s going to be unforgettable.

We’re talking cultural dance performances, a fashion parade, storytelling and heritage awareness, a teacher’s & guest dance battle (yes, really), and the most delicious traditional dishes you’ve ever tasted.

You are specially invited.

Come and celebrate the children, the community, and the work you’ve helped make possible.

RSVP here → bit.ly/tmaculturalday

Building a Free School

3,513 more bags to go. 💪

We are progressively getting there – building a free school for every out-of-school child.

Thanks to your incredible donation, we have raised ₦2.5 million to purchase 227 bags.

But the journey is still a long one.

Here’s how you can be part of this legacy project:

1. Build a classroom in your name or a loved one’s name — ₦20 million

2. Donate bags of cement — ₦11,000 per bag (we need 3,750 bags total)

3. Give any amount — ₦20,000, ₦100,000, ₦1,000,000 or more.

Sign up here to build a classroom in your name → bit.ly/tmaclassroomsetup

You can donate online → bit.ly/tmaschool

Or give directly to our Naira account:

• Account Number: 1023986519

• Bank: UBA (United Bank for Africa)

• Account Name: Talent Mine Foundation

• Narration: School Building

Thank you for helping us build classrooms, opportunities, and bright futures.

See You Next Month! 🚀

Every update we share, every story we tell, every child who walks through our gates — it all happens because you’re in our corner.

Thank you for reading, for sharing, and for believing in what education can do.

Spread the word. Share this newsletter. And we’ll see you next month — or better yet, at Cultural Day. 😎

That is “Hello, Super Hero” in Uganda— and yes, that means you.

Something remarkable happened at our school this month.

We welcomed some extraordinary guests — Mr Iyin Aboyeji, Co-founder of Andela and Flutterwave; Mr Alphonse Nkunzimana, Founder of Papyrus International; the Teach for Nigeria team; and the global Teach for All team.

These are people who have built world-changing institutions. They have seen schools on six continents. And when they walked through our gates and saw our children, they were moved.

That reaction — from people who know what real impact looks like — tells you something. What we are building at Talent Mine Academy is something special. And you are part of it.

When Are You Coming to See Us?

Seeing is believing. Our visitors always leave changed — and our children love having champions in the building.

If you’ve ever been curious about what a day at Talent Mine looks like, we’d love to make it a date.

Sign up to visit us here → bit.ly/tmavisitors

We promise our kids will make you feel like the superhero you are.

Building more classrooms 🧑‍🏫🏢

Right now, there are 600 children in our community who are out of school. They have the potential, the curiosity, the drive — but no seat in a classroom.

That changes with this project.

Last year, we received approval to expand our school with additional classroom blocks. When complete, those 600 children will have safe, well-equipped spaces where they can learn, grow, and build futures that poverty tried to take from them.

To achieve this, we need to raise $375,000.

Here’s how you can be part of this legacy:

1. Build a classroom in your name or a loved one’s name — ₦20 million

2. Donate bags of cement — ₦11,000 per bag (we need 3,750 bags total)

3. Give any amount — ₦20,000, ₦100,000, ₦1,000,000 or more. Every naira builds contributes to our goal.

You can donate online → bit.ly/tmaschool

Or give directly to our Naira account:

• Account Number: 1023986519

• Bank: UBA (United Bank for Africa)

• Account Name: Talent Mine Foundation

• Narration: School Building

Thank you for helping us build classrooms, opportunities, and bright futures.

Cultural Day is Coming — And We Want YOU There! 💃🏽

Mark your calendar: April 1st is our Cultural Day — and this year, it’s going to be unforgettable.

We’re talking cultural dance performances, a fashion parade, storytelling and heritage awareness, a teacher’s dance battle (yes, really), and the most delicious traditional dishes you’ve ever tasted.

You are specially invited. Come and celebrate the children, the community, and the work you’ve helped make possible.

RSVP here → bit.ly/tmaculturalday

See You Next Month! 🚀

Every update we share, every story we tell, every child who walks through our gates — it all happens because you’re in our corner. Thank you for reading, for sharing, and for believing in what education can do.

Spread the word. Share this newsletter. And we’ll see you next month — or better yet, at Cultural Day.

I hope it is not too late to say Happy New Year!

As I sit with our 2025 Annual Report, I feel deeply grateful.

Not just because of what’s inside it (though the stories are powerful),

But because every single page exists because YOU believed in what seemed impossible.

This time last year, we had just moved into our new space — with insufficient classroom furniture, 67 students, 7 teachers, and a few bags of storybooks and hope for what the new year would hold.

Today, this is what we achieved in 2025, because of your support:

• 93 students enrolled, most of whom were previously out of school

• 20 full-time staff driving our mission

• 19,530 nutritious meals served across 210 school days

• 129,360 hours of structured learning delivered

• 14 graduates from Early Childhood and Primary School

• 33 changemaking projects completed — from solar houses to USB-powered blender

• 80% improvement in literacy and numeracy within just 3 months

• 2nd place in STEM competition — Suliat and Aliu made us so proud!

• Secondary school launched, providing 15 years of free education from Kindergarten to SS3

One of the most critical decisions we made in 2025 was to provide daily feeding to every child.

You might be wondering why.

In the first quarter of the year, we noticed one of our students, let’s call her A, withdrawing from class, her friends, and school activities. A child who was normally smart, curious, and outspoken suddenly became reserved.

That was when we realised: A was not eating at home.

In fact, that Monday, she had not eaten all weekend. Her mum, who is a single mother, was out of a job and was struggling to feed A and her three siblings.

That moment made it clear to us that free, quality education means nothing to a child who is hungry.

So we expanded our feeding program to reach every child.

Since then, our students have enjoyed one hot, nutritious meal every day.

Today, A is healthy, engaged, and thriving with a 95% academic average.

19,530 meals later, we are seeing the difference one daily meal is making in student attendance and engagement.

At the end of 2025, we asked our students what Talent Mine meant to them.

Here’s what they said:

“My school is the best school in the whole world. I am reminded I’m smart and beautiful every day.” — Shindara, Primary 2

“I love Talent Mine School because the teachers care for us... I feel safe and happy in my school.” — Modinat, Primary 4

“The teachers always ask us to give feedback. This makes us feel heard and important... At Talent Mine School, students are given what they need to grow and succeed.” — Mubarak, SS 1

As we step into 2026, we are ready to deepen our impact. Our focus this year includes:

• Enrolling 100 out-of-school children

• Building a purpose-built Primary School Facility that will enable us to enrol 500 children over the next 3 years.

• Installing a 10KvA solar inverter for our school

• Procuring 50 laptops for STEM, Coding and Design Classes

• Investing in our teachers, who are the backbone of everything we do

• Launching an Entrepreneurial Leadership Program to help our students start real businesses.
  

In our next letter, we will share specific ways you can partner with us in 2026.

For now, I invite you to explore our 2025 Impact Report —

32 pages of metrics, beautiful photos, student voices, and inspiring stories of what we built together in 2025.

If it moves you, please share it with everyone you know.

Every shared story helps us reach more children and give them the gift of education.

Thank you for 2025!

Now, we are ready for 2026.

Let’s go! 🚀

With deepest gratitude,

Aramide Kayode
Executive Director, Talent Mine Academy

Download our 2025 Annual Impact Report

Merry Christmas, TMA Superhero!

How is the festive atmosphere on your side? I trust you’re having a beautiful time celebrating Christ, the reason for the season.

Just a couple of weeks ago, Talent Mine School wrapped up the year with a colourful Christmas party.

We were overwhelmed with joy as we sang and danced together. The children watched a movie that highlighted the importance of Jesus’ birth to the world.

The day ended with warm hugs, delicious food, and lots of pictures.

Truly, Christmas brings so much joy, and it was beautiful seeing everyone excited.

Great nventors school here 👨🏻‍🔬

Every child at our free school is an innovator.

With simple waste materials, TMA kids create working solutions to problems they identify in their communities.

At our recent Innovation Day, Talent Mine kids showcased a functional blender that they built in just three months.

Our Primary 6 class built this blender using a can, a blade, a USB cord, and plastic. This is part of our problem-based learning approach, where every student creates solutions to real issues in their community.

This is possible because of the high-quality education they receive at our school. In their classroom, they are taught how to apply what they learn in maths, science, and more to create real solutions.

Every child deserves this kind of education, and we are determined to make sure they get it.

Currently, we have 25 children on our waitlist who desperately want to go to school.

With ₦66,000 monthly, you can ensure that one of these children resumes at Talent Mine School in 2026.

Your gift of education covers:
✅ Tuition
✅ Daily school feeding
✅ Weekly vocational and entrepreneurship classes
✅ Weekly life and leadership skills development

Would you like to change the life of a child today?

Register your interest here.

Let’s make sure every child gets the best education possible. 💪

₦2.7 Million to go! 🚌

We are filled with so much gratitude to everyone who has given towards ensuring our kids get their school bus.

However, the journey is far from over—we still need an additional ₦2.7 million.

Many children in our free school have to walk long distances because transportation is either too expensive or unavailable.

Some of our students, as young as 5, 6, and 7 years old, are walking for hours just to get to school.

As a result, we are beginning to see negative effects on their health and academic performance.

As a free school committed to providing everything a child needs to thrive, this has become a significant burden for us.

This is why getting a school bus for them has become urgent.

We still need your help to drive this goal.

Your support of ₦20,000, ₦50,000, ₦100,000, ₦500,000, ₦1,000,000, or any amount you can contribute will help us reach this target in time for the new year.

Want to help us drive change?

Give here or donate directly to our Naira account:
Account Number: 1023986519
Bank Name: United Bank for Africa (UBA)
Account Name: Talent Mine Foundation

Kindly use the narration “School Bus.”

Your donation will not only help us purchase a school bus but will also keep children in school, protect their health, and ensure they receive the education they need to rise out of poverty.

Please share this with a friend today. All our kids are counting on you. 💛

Thank you for 2025!!!!

2025 was a year of growth and impact, and it wouldn’t have been possible without YOU— our donors and supporters.

Because of you:

• Talent Mine kids don’t have to worry about education for 15 years.

• Talent Mine kids eat nutritious meals every day.

• Talent Mine kids receive the best quality education.

• Talent Mine kids gain the vocational and life skills needed to thrive in the world.

There truly is no Talent Mine Academy without you.

Thank you immensely for investing in the lives of our children, either through donations, sponsorship of a child in school, sharing our work with a colleague, or mentioning us for opportunities in rooms we may not even know about.

We love you deeply. ❤️

See you in 2026! 🚀

We hope you were glued to your screen all through the read.

Stay tuned for next month’s updates—and don’t forget to spread the word!

See you in our next newsletter!

Hello, TMA Superhero!

I’m writing to you today with great excitement.

We are less than 4 million naira away from purchasing a school bus for our kids!

On behalf of ALL our children, I want to say a big THANK YOU.

Thank you for donating!
Thank you for sharing our flyers with friends!
Thank you for reposting our content on social media!

While we are grateful, please remember that we haven’t reached our goal yet.

Our target is ₦20 million. This will enable us to buy the bus and cover all necessary repairs.

So, we still need your support to make sure our kids get to ride a school bus before the end of the year.

We need ₦3.8 million more to reach our goal.

Your support of ₦20,000, ₦100,000, ₦500,000, ₦1,000,000, or any amount you can give will bring us closer to putting smiles on our pupils’ faces and getting them safely to school every day.

Would you like to help us drive change? 🚍

Give here or donate directly to our Naira account:
Account Number: 1023986519
Bank Name: United Bank for Africa (UBA)
Account Name: Talent Mine Foundation

Kindly use the narration “School Bus”

ALL our kids are counting on you.

Please share this newsletter with at least 2 people today.

Together, we can make sure our pupils ride their school bus this month.

Talent Mine Academy is hiring! 🥳

We are seeking passionate educators for multiple teaching roles:
🟡 Early Childhood: Kindergarten
🟡 Early Childhood: Nursery 1 & 2
🟡 Secondary School: JS1 and SS1

Our mission is to provide quality education to children from underserved communities and help them achieve their full potential.

We are looking for teachers who are passionate about education and have experience working with children.

If this sounds like you, visit bit.ly/tmateachers to apply or share with someone who is a great fit.

Sarah’s Journey at TMA 👩

Sarah’s only formal education was at a school that hit her constantly because she couldn’t read.

Her teacher flogged her whenever she couldn’t spell or read well.

There was little her mum could do, as it was the only education she could afford.

It wasn’t until one day, when Sarah’s teacher beat her so badly that she was taken to the hospital, that things changed.

This incident forced her mum to withdraw her from the school. Sarah decided she was never going back to school.

Later, Sarah’s sister invited her to our weekly Saturday lesson. There, we started to teach her how to read and comprehend.

Within months, we noticed a significant improvement in her reading. All Sarah needed was literacy teaching at her level and some patience and love.

To reinforce what she was learning, we enrolled her in a private school, supported by a donor committed to paying her school fees.

When we transitioned into a free school, Sarah joined Talent Mine School and has since grown into a brilliant student leader.

She is now in JSS 1 and dreams of becoming a teacher, hoping to make an impact in her community.

Stories of transformation like Sarah’s are only possible because of the gift of education that our donors provide.

Every child at Talent Mine School is sponsored by individuals and organizations who believe in the power of education to change the world.

You too can make this impact in a child’s life.

With ₦66,000 monthly (₦600,000 yearly), you can give a child access to quality education, providing the tools needed to rise out of poverty.

There are currently 25 kids like Sarah hoping for someone like YOU to take a chance on them.

Ready to be that person?

Register your interest to sponsor a child’s education here: bit.ly/tmasponsorship

Share this post with someone in your network today. Let’s ensure no child is robbed of their right to education.

Thank you!

Celebrate Christmas with TMA kids.

This December, our children want to celebrate Christmas.

As we prepare for the end of the year, we’re planning a Christmas party for our kids.

If you’ve ever wanted to support or celebrate with our children, now is the perfect chance.

To give our kids the best Christmas party ever, we’re hoping you can donate whatever you can to ensure our children go home happy.

Our budget is ₦600,000, which will cover:

• Food and drinks

• Canopy and chairs

• Party packs for all our children

• Christmas decorations

Guess what? We plan to surprise the kids with Father Christmas! We can’t wait to see the look on their faces.

Any amount you can give will help us make this a truly unforgettable Christmas for our kids.

Kindly donate:
Account Number: 1023986519
Bank Name: United Bank for Africa (UBA)
Account Name: Talent Mine Foundation

Use the narration “Christmas Party”

See You Next Month! 🚀

I hope you enjoyed this newsletter from start to finish.

Stay tuned for next month’s updates—and don’t forget to spread the word!

See you in our next newsletter!

Hello, TMA Superhero!

I know what you’re thinking—it’s not the end of the month yet!

Well, consider today’s newsletter a special delivery message. I was sent by one of our pupils to deliver a letter to you.

Her name is Oke.

Oke recently heard that we are getting a school bus, and she’s been asking us excitedly, “When is the school bus coming?”

We’ve been assuring her that she will soon be riding in her brand-new school bus this November.

She was so happy, but she also had something to say. A message she hopes will inspire everyone who sees it to support in any way they can.

A Letter from Oke:

Hello, my name is Oke Ismail. I’m a Primary 3 pupil at Talent Mine School. Yesterday, it rained and everywhere was muddy. This made transportation very expensive for me and my friends. My mum said I should stay at home because she doesn’t have the money to take me to school. But I cannot stay at home, because I really love coming to Talent Mine School to learn. If I don’t come to school, I cannot become a soldier and help my community fight bad people.

Many of my friends and I have been trekking, and our houses are very far. But we still come because we love school, even though there is no money to transport us. My school is buying us a school bus, and we are really happy. We cannot wait to start riding the school bus to school. Please support our school and help us get a school bus. All of us are counting on you

Now you can see why this message couldn’t wait. Because children like Oke, Memunat, Olayinka, and many others are counting on your support to help them get a school bus.

We have already raised ₦9.2 million towards our school bus! 🥳

A big thank you to everyone whose donations have brought us this far. It truly means the world to our children.

However, the journey isn’t over yet. We still need ₦10.8 million more to reach our goal.

Your support of ₦20,000, ₦100,000, ₦500,000, ₦1,000,000, or any amount you can give will bring us closer to putting smiles on our pupils’ faces and getting them safely to school every day.

Would you like to help us drive change? 🚍

Give here or donate directly to our Naira account:
Account Number: 1023986519
Bank Name: United Bank for Africa (UBA)
Account Name: Talent Mine Foundation

Kindly use the narration “School Bus”

Oke is counting on you. We are counting on you!

Please share this newsletter with at least 2 people today.

Together, we can make sure our pupils ride their school bus this month.

Best regards,
Praise Adeola
Partnerships & Fundraising Associate
Talent Mine Academy

How have you been? Did you know that tomorrow marks 60 days until the end of the year?

And this newsletter is the 12th newsletter we are sharing with you this year. We have truly come a long way together!

Thank you for reading, sharing with a friend and donating towards our mission.

It is exciting to co-build with you!

We were awarded a grant! 🥳

During the summer, we received a prestigious grant from the Pan-African Professional Alliance Organization at The Pennsylvania State University, USA.

The grant enabled us to make a tangible difference in the lives of 100 children, giving each one their own textbooks and the tools they need to thrive academically.

Because of this support:

• Our students no longer have to share books and can study independently

• Classroom engagement and homework completion have improved

• Our students are growing in confidence and achieving better academic results

Here is what one of our student had to say after receiving his personal textbook:

“Before now, I couldn’t do my homework because I didn’t have my personal workbook. I had to use my teacher’s copy in class. Now I have my own workbook, and I can read at home and do my homework easily. Thank you, PAN-APA.” — Albert, JSS 1

It is through resources like this we are able to give every child the education they deserve.

Looking to make an immediate impact in the lives of our kids? Kindly visit bit.ly/tmapartners to support an item on our school’s wish list.

Every donation makes a difference in a child’s life.

Reflecting on 6 years

From weekly Saturday lessons to a free school for out-of-school children.

Talent Mine Academy began in 2019 as a Saturday lesson program to educate children living in low-income communities in numeracy, literacy, and essential life and leadership skills.

To help the children deepen what they learned during the Saturday lessons, we enrolled them in a school.

Talent Mine Academy partnered with donors (many of whom are still with us today) to sponsor their education.

In 2023, we transitioned into a free school, enrolling even more out-of-school children whose parents earn less than ₦15,000 monthly, providing every child with a holistic education that enables them to solve problems in their communities and rise out of poverty.

This year, we have hit many milestones, including graduating our first set of primary school students and starting our secondary school.

All these achievements have been made possible by the donors who give the gift of education to each child at our free school, enabling them to access a high-quality education.

We currently have 25 kids on our waitlist who are waiting to be enrolled into school.

With ₦55,000/₦66,000 monthly, you can help these kids start at our free school and receive the academic and non-academic support needed to break the cycle of poverty in their communities.

Can you enrol a child today?

You can sign up here — bit.ly/tmasponsorship and you will be paired with a child in a week.

School Bus Donation

Last week, two kids were absent from school.

When we asked why, he said:

“The transport cost is too high, and my mum can only afford to pay for one of us”

So only one came.

And because of transport fare, a child missed all the lessons for the day 🥹

This has made school bus a priority need at our school.

Thanks to your donations, we have raised 7.6 million, but we still need your help in getting this school bus before the end of November.

Your support of ₦50,000, 100,000, ₦500,000, ₦1,000,000, or any amount you can contribute will help us reach this target.

Want to help us drive change? Give here or donate directly to our Naira account:
Account Number: 1023986519
Bank Name: United Bank for Africa (UBA)
Account Name: Talent Mine Foundation

Kindly use the narration “School Bus”

Your donation will not only help us purchase a school bus but will also keep children in school, protect their health, and ensure they receive the education they need to rise out of poverty.

Please share this with a friend today. Together, we can drive change. 💛

See You Next Month! 🚀

I’m sure you were glued to your screen all through the read.

Stay tuned for next month’s updates—and don’t forget to spread the word!

See you in our next newsletter!

Across the world, millions of organizations are celebrating Customer Service Week, and we immediately thought of YOU, our superhero who enables us to provide free, high-quality education to out-of-school children living in low-income communities.

Because of you:

• Talent Mine kids don’t have to worry about education for 15 years.

• Talent Mine kids eat nutritious meals every day.

• Talent Mine kids receive the best quality education.

• Talent Mine kids gain the vocational and life skills needed to thrive in the world.

There truly is no Talent Mine Academy without you.

We want to take this special opportunity to thank you immensely for investing in the lives of our children, either through donations, sponsorship of a child in school, sharing our work with a colleague, or mentioning us for opportunities in rooms we may not even know about.

We love you deeply ❤️

School Bus Donation

We have raised ₦7.6 million for our school bus! 🥳

A big thank you to everyone whose donations have brought us this far. It means a lot to our kids! However, the journey is far from over; we still need an additional ₦12 million.

Many children in our free school have to walk long distances because transportation is either too expensive or unavailable.

This situation has significantly impacted our students. Some of them, as young as 5, 6, and 7 years old, are walking for hours just to get to school.

As a result, we are beginning to see negative effects on their health and academic performance. As a free school committed to providing everything a child needs to thrive, this has become a significant burden for us.

This is why getting a school bus for them has become urgent.

We still need your help in driving the goal.

Your support of ₦100,000, ₦500,000, ₦1,000,000, or any amount you can contribute will help us reach this target.

Want to help us drive change? Give here or donate directly to our Naira account:
Account Number: 1023986519
Bank Name: United Bank for Africa (UBA)
Account Name: Talent Mine Foundation

Kindly use the narration “School Bus”

Your donation will not only help us purchase a school bus but will also keep children in school, protect their health, and ensure they receive the education they need to rise out of poverty.

Please share this with a friend today. Together, we can drive change 💛

Best regards,

Praise Adeola
Partnerships & Fundraising Associate
Talent Mine Academy

Hello, TMA Superhero!

We have exciting news— Talent Mine School has fully resumed for the 2025/2026 academic session with our very first set of secondary school students! 🥳

Just a few weeks ago, these children were either on the streets hawking or left at home with little hope of ever being in a classroom. They resumed school last week, brimming with joy, and this is still so surreal to many of them.

What brings us even more joy is the number of students we’ve recently enrolled. At the start of the year, we set a goal to enrol 100 out-of-school children, and we’re pleased to share that many have joined us.

We are grateful to our amazing donors for making this happen. Thank You!

We’re Getting a School Bus! 🚌

Recently, one of our teachers shared an experience from last session that deeply touched us.

When the pupils were preparing for their project presentation, “My Community, My Story,” one of our teachers wanted them to truly connect with the topic.

To help bring their stories to life, she decided to visit each of their communities, taking pictures and creating slides for their presentations.

What she didn’t expect was the journey it would take her on. Yes, they boarded a bus, but once they got off at the bus stop, the real trek began.

The children lived deep inside streets where even motorcycles couldn’t pass, so she had to walk. She walked and walked until her legs began to shake.

She got tired, but the children? They just kept walking with joy, talking and laughing as if the distance was nothing.

At one point, she asked them, “Don’t you feel tired?”

They simply smiled and said, “We’re used to it.”

Right there, she was almost moved to tears.

She thought to herself,

“If it were me walking this distance every morning, I would get to school, too tired to learn, too tired to play and too tired to speak up in class.”

But the children? They arrive at school every day full of energy, full of life, and eager to learn.

Now imagine what would happen if they had a school bus:

✅ No more long, exhausting treks.
✅ More energy to participate in class.
✅ Safer journeys to and from school.
✅ And a chance for many more out-of-school children to join our free school because distance would no longer hold them back.

This is why we are raising ₦20 million to get our kids a school bus. 🚍

Your gift of ₦100,000, ₦500,000, ₦1,000,000, or any amount will help us bring children from hard-to-reach communities straight into the classroom where they belong.

You can give here or donate directly to our Naira account below:

Account Number: 1023986519 
Bank: United Bank for Africa (UBA) 
Account Name: Talent Mine Foundation 
Swift Code: UNAFNGLA204 
Sort Code: 033150066 
Bank Address: 57, Marina Road, Lagos Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

Kindly label your transaction ‘School Bus’ so we can allocate your donation accordingly.

Every amount counts and goes a long way. Thank You!

See You Next Month! 🚀

I’m sure you were glued to your screen all through the read.

Stay tuned for next month’s updates—and don’t forget to spread the word!

See you in our next newsletter!

Hello, TMA Superhero!

We’re reaching out to you at this time because we want you to be part of a bold step in living out our mission of providing free, high-quality education to out-of-school children.

We are getting a school bus! 🎉

During our recent scholarship selection process, we met hundreds of brilliant children whose families live on less than ₦15,000 ($10) a month. Many of them were overjoyed when we called with the good news: they had been admitted into our free school!

But almost immediately, another barrier became clear— transportation.

For many of these children, getting to school daily is either too expensive or simply impossible because they live in remote, hard-to-reach areas.

We strongly believe distance should never be a barrier to accessing quality education.

That’s why we are determined to break this barrier by acquiring a school bus that will transport these children directly to the classroom, where they belong.

Our goal is to raise ₦20 million in the next 2 months to buy the bus, handle necessary repairs, and hire a driver.

With this, no child will have to stay home because of distance.

As our superheroes, your help and support are really needed this time.

Here’s how you can help today:

• Give ₦50,000, ₦100,000, ₦500,000, or ₦1,000,000. No amount is too small.

• Share this appeal with friends, family, and colleagues. If 1,000 people gave just ₦20,000 each, we would reach our goal.

You can donate online or directly to our Naira account below:

United Bank for Africa (UBA) | 1023986519 | Talent Mine Foundation

Kindly label your donation “School Bus”

Every amount brings us closer to ensuring that distance never robs a child of education.

Thank you for standing with us. Together, we can make this possible.

I hope you are doing well.

The last four months have been adventurous for us.

In May, we began our scholarship selection process and to our greatest surprise, we met hundreds of out-of-school children whose families survive on less than ₦15,000 ($10) a month 🥹.

Yes, in this Nigerian economy and with the current food prices, some families still earn less than ₦15,000 ($10) monthly.

This is a sobering reminder of why we exist: to give the gift of quality education to children who might never see the inside of a classroom.

After our review process, we called some of the families to share good news: your child has been admitted into our free school!

But their biggest challenge wasn’t tuition alone. There is also a transportation issue.

Getting to school daily is either too expensive or simply impossible because many of them come from remote, hard-to-reach areas.

I remember discussing this with my team, and one of them said:

"Distance should never be a barrier to accessing quality education"

That stayed with me.

Now, we are breaking this barrier by getting a school bus that will bring the children who truly need the education we provide straight into the classroom where they belong.

Our goal is to raise ₦20 million to buy the bus, fix any pending repairs, and hire a driver.

Your gift of ₦20,000, ₦50,000, ₦100,000, ₦500,000, or ₦1,000,000 will go a long way in making this possible.

You can donate here - bit.ly/tmaschool Or donate directly to our Naira account below:

Account Number: 1023986519
Bank: United Bank for Africa (UBA)
Account Name: Talent Mine Foundation
SWIFT: UNAFNGLA204 
Sort Code: 033150066
Bank Address: 57, Marina Road, Lagos Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

Kindly label your donation "School Bus" so we can allocate funds appropriately.

Every amount counts and every donation ensures no child is left out of school because of distance.

Our kids are really counting on your support. Thank You!

Best, 
Aramide Kayode. 
Executive Director, Talent Mine Academy. 

Hello, TMA Superhero!

Happy Summer! Well… technically, summer is wrapping up. 😎 But here at Talent Mine Academy, we’ve been using this season to rest, recalibrate, and prepare for the exciting new session ahead.

Looking back at the past academic year, we can’t help but feel wowed:

• Moving into our new school property

• Winning second place in a national STEM competition 🥈

• Harvesting corn and beans from our student-led planting project 🌽

• Watching new students grow in character, academics, and confidence 📚

It’s been a year of impact,, and we can’t wait to return in September to double our impact together!

Summer Learning Program 🧑‍🏫

This year’s summer program is designed to reinforce foundational literacy skills with a strong focus on:

• TaRL (Teaching at the Right Level)—to help students catch up on essential reading and numeracy skills.

• Phonics—to strengthen early reading and sound recognition.

• Spelling Bee—to build vocabulary, improve spelling, and boost confidence through fun competitions.

The children have been fully engaged and have benefited from this program. This program is part of the continuous, high-quality education we provide our students to make sure they can compete in our fast-paced world.

We’re Getting a School Bus! 🚌.

During our recent student enrollment, we met many out-of-school children whose families are surviving on less than ₦15,000 a month. Their biggest challenge? Distance. Transport is either too expensive or simply unavailable.

We believe distance should never be a barrier to learning. That’s why we’re acquiring a school bus to bring these children from remote communities straight into the classroom where they belong.

Our goal: ₦15 million. 🎯

Your ₦100,000, ₦500,000, or ₦1,000,000 donation will go a long way in helping us convey these children.

Want to help us drive change? Give here or donate directly to our Naira account:
1023986519
United Bank for Africa (UBA)
Talent Mine Foundation

Every amount counts and every support goes a long way to ensure no child is out of school.

Welcoming New Students This September 📚🎉

This September, we’re welcoming children from low-income communities—children who would never have seen the four walls of a classroom.

And here’s even bigger news:
Our first-ever secondary school resumes this September 2025!

As we welcome these amazing children, providing them 100% free uniforms, books, meals, transportation, and tuition, we need your help.

This mission is bigger than us. It needs you.

Here’s How You Can Help:

1. Support a Child’s Enrolment – Contribute towards school supplies, daily school feeding, furniture, or other school expenses. Here’s a detailed list of the current needs of our free school.

2. Sponsor a Child—Cover tuition for an out-of-school child monthly or yearly. Sign up here.

3. Become a Talent Mine Ambassador. Are you passionate about education in rural communities? Join us here.

4. Spread the Word—Share our mission with your friends, family, and colleagues.

See You Next Month! 🚀

I’m sure you were glued to your screen all through the read.

Stay tuned for next month’s updates—and don’t forget to spread the word!

See you in our next newsletter!

Hello, TMA Superhero!

We always say it: “There is never any dull moment at TMA!”, and this July proved that louder than ever!

From winning big at a STEM innovation competition, to heartwarming donor moments, to cheering on our very first set of graduates... July was packed with emotions, celebrations, and unforgettable milestones.

Buckle up! You're about to relive the magic.

Second Place in STEM Competition—We Did It! 🏆🥈

One of the core missions of Talent Mine Academy is to cultivate students who can identify problems in their communities and create solutions. This is why we have implemented a problem-based learning model.

The model is simple: students identify challenges in their communities and develop practical solutions to address those issues.

Recently, our students had the opportunity to showcase one of their many innovative projects: a solar panel house they designed in the classroom. They demonstrated how this solution can help make life easier for the communities they live in.

Not only did they present their innovation with brilliance and confidence, but they also earned second place for their creative solution. This achievement is a testament to the kind of students we are nurturing at our free school—free thinkers and innovators.

We are immensely proud of their accomplishments!

Innovation Day at TMA 🧬 🎨

Every term, our students take on real-world questions like:
How can we reduce environmental waste? 🌍
How can we conserve water and build sustainable communities? 💧
What does the future of work look like? 👩🏽‍💼

Together as a class, they research, brainstorm, and design practical model solutions that address these real-world issues.

On Innovation Day, they got to showcase their solutions. From upcycled product models to visionary leadership plans and community development projects. Parents, donors, and teachers were blown away by the insights and brilliance displayed.

These kids aren’t just learners; they’re future leaders, equipped to shape their world.

Donor Appreciation Week 💌

Every child at TMA has a donor: a real superhero who makes their education possible.

Last week, our donors had the opportunity to virtually interact with the student(s) they sponsor one-on-one. They shared words of encouragement, received progress updates, and strengthened their bond with these young learners.

The best part of sponsoring a child is that you get to walk their journey of becoming with them, witnessing their growth and transformation firsthand.

Want to be part of this impact? Sign up here to sponsor a child!

Graduation & Prize-giving Day 🎓

On July 25th, 2025, Talent Mine School celebrated a historic milestone—our very first primary school graduates!

It was an incredibly emotional day. Some of our graduates fought back tears as they stood before parents, teachers, and friends, sharing how their journey began at TMA.

For many, this day once felt unreachable, a distant dream. But there they were, walking across the stage with pride as primary school graduates.

They talked about how TMA opened a door that had been closed for so long—a place where the burden on their families was eased and learning became possible.

Our Nursery 2 class also took a big, joyful step forward, proudly graduating into Primary 1! 🥳

And the celebration didn’t end there. All our students were promoted and honoured with awards in key categories:

🏅 Most Improved

🏅 Overall Best in Class

🏅 Most Punctual

🏅 100% Attendance

We are extremely proud of every single child. Their stories are inspiring, their growth undeniable, and their futures full of promise.

What If Your Next Impact Story Started Here? ❤️

This September, we’re enrolling 100 children from low-income communities—children who would never have seen the four walls of a classroom.

And here’s even bigger news:
We’re launching our first-ever secondary school by September 2025!

The education we provide is 100% free—uniforms, books, meals, tuition—everything is free! Because poverty should never be a barrier to learning.

But this mission is bigger than us. It needs you.

Here’s How You Can Help:

1. Support a Child’s Enrolment – Contribute towards school supplies, daily school feeding, furniture, or other school expenses. Here’s a detailed list of the current needs of our free school.

2. Sponsor a Child – Cover tuition for an out-of-school child monthly or yearly. Sign up here.

3. Become a Talent Mine Ambassador. Are you passionate about education in rural communities? Register here.

4. Spread the Word – Share our mission with your friends, family, and colleagues.

See You Next Month! 🚀

I’m sure you were glued to your screen all through the read.

Stay tuned for next month’s updates—and don’t forget to spread the word!

See you in our next newsletter!

Hello, TMA Superhero!

Welcome to another fun-filled edition of the Talent Mine Newsletter — your front-row seat to all the joyful, meaningful, and inspiring moments happening at our free school!

June was a month of smashing goals and reaping rewards — quite literally. From harvesting the crops our students planted to opening our doors to welcome a new class of learners, we’re super excited.

And if you've ever thought, “I may not have much, but I want to support Talent Mine Academy’s work,” we’ve got good news: there are so many ways you can make a difference.

Let’s dive in!

Admission Day at TMA 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦👫

Two Saturdays ago, we welcomed dozens of out-of-school children and their parents to take part in our assessment and interview process for new enrollments.

As we listened to their stories, we were reminded why we do what we do — many families are fighting hard just to give their children a chance at education.

It was inspiring to see our dedicated volunteers on hand to support our staff, ensuring the smooth operation of the day and that no parent or child felt unattended or alone.

Our goal this year? Enrol 100 new students from Early Childhood, Primary, and Junior Secondary levels — providing free education, meals, and a nurturing learning environment for every single child.

It’s Harvest Season! ☘️🌺🌽

Talk about a-maize-ing! 🌽

Our incredible TMA students are reaping the rewards of their hard work.

Early this month, our students harvested the maize they planted last term as part of their sustainable feeding program project.

Our thriving school garden is an incredible way for our students to learn about sustainable practices while directly contributing to their nutrition.

We’re so proud of what they’ve accomplished and can’t wait to plant and harvest even more produce from our garden soon!

You’re Invited: Innovation Day is Coming! 👩🏻‍🔬🧑🏻‍🔬

Mark your calendars for Innovation Day — our quarterly showcase of creativity, brilliance, and problem-solving!

🗓 Date: July 11th, 2025
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM
📍 Location: Talent Mine School, Ota

This is a day when our students shine. From science experiments to community-driven innovations, each class will present real-world solutions they’ve been working on — and trust us, they’ll blow your mind.

You’re officially invited to attend. Comeet the next generation of innovators, leaders, and changemakers.

Kindly RSVP here

What If Your Next Impact Story Started Here? ❤️

There are over 18 million out-of-school children in Nigeria (UNICEF, 2024).

Each one of those children has a name. A dream. A future worth fighting for.

At Talent Mine Academy, we’re boldly rewriting that story — one child at a time.

This September, we’re enrolling 100 children from low-income communities—children who would never have seen the inside of a classroom.

And here’s even bigger news:
We’re launching our first-ever secondary school by September 2025!

The education we provide is 100% free – uniforms, books, meals, tuition - free everything! Because poverty should never be a barrier to learning.

But this mission is bigger than us. It needs you.

Here’s How You Can Help:

1. Support a Child’s Enrolment – Contribute towards school supplies, daily school feeding, furniture, or other school expenses. Here’s a detailed list of the current needs of our free school.

2. Sponsor a Child – Cover tuition for an out-of-school child monthly or yearly. Sign up here.

3. Become a Talent Mine Ambassador. Are you passionate about education in rural communities? Register here.

4. Spread the Word – Share our mission with your friends, family, and colleagues.

See You Next Month! 🚀

I’m sure you were glued to your screen all through the read.

Stay tuned for next month’s updates—and don’t forget to spread the word!

See you in our next newsletter!

Hello, TMA Superhero!

Welcome to another fun-filled edition of the Talent Mine Newsletter – your front-row seat to all the exciting things happening at our free school!

May opened with fireworks as we celebrated the 2nd anniversary of our free school! And that was just the beginning.

From a celebrity visit to garden projects and Children’s Day crafts, May had us asking, “Is there ever a dull moment at TMA?”

Strap in, because you’re in for a read!

Grace Idowu visits TMA 👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏽🎈

On Friday, May 2nd, we had the incredible honour of welcoming award-winning gospel artist Grace Idowu and the Grace Idowu Foundation Team to TMA. She had come to celebrate her birthday with the students of Talent Mine Academy— and what a day it was!

Highlights included:
✅ Joyful worship sessions
✅ Cutting of the cake
✅ A surprise birthday performance by our students
✅ Hand-designed birthday cards
✅ Memorable pictures and videos

And just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, Grace Idowu showered the children with gifts and donations. It was truly a day to remember!

TMA @ 2 years 🥳 🎉

It was “party after party” at our free school this month!

Coincidentally, Grace Idowu’s visit was on the same day as our second-anniversary celebration. Talk about enjoyment.

We got a cake to specially mark the day and worship God for how far He has brought us.

Alexa, please play me “See How Far You’ve Brought Me” by Victoria Orenze

Two years of providing free and quality education to children. When we really think about it, we can only thank God.

Emotions were flying high that day, but in the end, we all went home grateful.

It’s Planting Season! ☘️🌺🌽

At the height of food inflation, Nifemi, a student at Talent Mine Academy, noticed many families in her community were struggling to afford one square meal a day.

She brought this concern to school, and inspired by what she was learning in her Science class, she decided to start a small school garden. With the help of her teachers and classmates, they planted corn, vegetables, pumpkins, beans, and more.

Today, we’re building on Nifemi’s vision. Our garden is a vital part of how we sustain our free school feeding program, ensuring that children at Talent Mine receive the nutritious meals they need to learn and thrive.

Last term, our Primary 4 students planted corn as part of their class project — and it is growing so beautifully!

Now, the entire school is involved – planting corn and vegetables too – and we’re excited for the harvest ahead.

Awarding Best Students 📚🏅

Last week at Talent Mine Academy, we proudly recognized five exceptional students for consistently embodying the core values of Responsibility, Integrity, Service, Hygiene, Creativity, Teamwork, and Kindness.

These students remind us that true excellence goes beyond academics—it’s rooted in character, compassion, and a meaningful contribution to our school community.

By celebrating these values, we not only honour their efforts but also inspire other students to follow their example.

Join us in congratulating these future leaders! 👏

Tie & Dye for Children’s Day 👩🏼‍🎨🎨

This year’s Children’s Day was a splash of fun — literally!

The children were taught to make Adire, a process popularly known as Tie and Dye.

It was an educational and hands-on experience for the children. They learned how to mix dye, create patterns, and transform plain fabric into stunning, colourful designs.

The children went home with beautiful outfits to their delight. This is another skill in their toolbox and a memory they’ll cherish forever!

TaRL Class – and it’s a Wrap 👩🏽‍🎓👨🏼‍🎓

After three months of engaging sessions, the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) program came to a close — and the results are nothing short of amazing!

Implemented in early March, the TaRL program focused on improving literacy and numeracy through fun, effective methods:

• Rhyming

• Dictation

• Counting with sticks and bundles

• Number recognition games and other effective learning methods

The program concluded this May and over 80% of students showed remarkable improvement!

Students who once struggled with reading, comprehension, and numeracy are now confidently teaching their classmates, and that’s the power of quality education right there!

Now, let's Give 1,000+ Kids a Brighter Future 📚👩🏽‍🎓💫

With our expanded space, we can now accommodate 1,000+ students. But with this growth comes greater responsibility— and we need your support.

Here’s how you can help:

1. Support a Child’s Enrolment – Contribute towards school supplies, daily school feeding, furniture, or school feeding. Here’s a detailed list of the current needs of our free school.

2. Sponsor a Child – Cover tuition for an out-of-school child monthly or yearly. Sign up here.

3. Spread the Word – Share our mission with your friends, family, and colleagues.

See You Next Month! 🚀

I’m sure you were glued to your screen all through the read.

Stay tuned for next month’s updates— and don’t forget to spread the word!

See you in our next newsletter!

Hello, TMA Superhero!

Welcome to another vibrant edition of our Talent Mine newsletter!

April was a slightly laid-back month — but still filled with meaning and milestones. After completing their second-term examinations, the children began a well-deserved three-week holiday.

During the break, our dedicated teachers took time to reflect on their impact and gear up for the final term of the academic year. Even though the school was on holiday, the celebrations were in full swing!

Double the Celebration! 🎂

April marked not one, but two major birthdays for us at Talent Mine:

• Talent Mine Academy (our non-profit) turned 6!

• Talent Mine School (our free school) turned 2!

We’re so excited and thought this would be the perfect moment to share a slice of our story with you.

Talent Mine Academy @ 6 years

On April 12, 2019, our visionary founder and Executive Director, Aramide Kayode, held the first Saturday lesson for children in her community. At the time, she was teaching in a government school where she noticed massive learning gaps among her students and met children who weren’t even enrolled in school. That Saturday, she invited all of them — enrolled or not — to learn.

That day planted the seed for what would become Talent Mine Academy.

This has resulted in:

• 500+ empowered children

• Over 60 partnerships nationally and globally

• Over ₦200M raised

• 100+ families reached

• A Tuition-Free school

Talent Mine School @ 2 years

Fast forward to April 27, 2023 — the official launch of Talent Mine School, a free school offering 15 years of quality education to children from low-income communities.

In just 2 years, we have:

✅ Enrolled over 80 children
✅ Moved from a rented space to our very own property
✅ Built a passionate team of 15+ staff members

What’s more? Our children enjoy free tuition, school uniforms, books, daily feeding, and entrepreneurship training.
Pretty amazing, right?

Third Term Begins

We’re back to school — and the joy is contagious!

The children returned full of stories from their holiday adventures. Some killed their first chicken for Easter, while others travelled to their hometowns.

Hearing their stories reminded us that learning isn’t only done in classrooms — life teaches too!

Now, it’s back to uniforms, sharpened pencils, and focused minds.

Red, Yellow, Green, Blue - Let’s go! 🚀

Wednesday was a splash of colours at Talent Mine Academy!
The children received their long-awaited sportswear — and let’s just say, TMA has never looked brighter!

Until now, they have participated in extracurricular activities in their regular uniforms. Seeing them proudly dressed in their new house colours was heartwarming.

We’re patiently anticipating our first Inter-House Sports Day.

P.S. I’m secretly Team Blue… but don’t tell the kids. 😉

Meet Our New Intakes

This term, we welcomed three new changemakers to our free school! These children had been on our waitlist, and thanks to generous heroes like you, they now have access to quality, life-changing education.

At TMA, we match each child with a donor — an individual or organization who chooses to sponsor them through primary and secondary school.

Sponsors become a real part of these children’s lives through:

✅ 1-on-1 check-in and mentorship calls
✅ Termly academic and impact reports
✅ Personal stories and updates

Want to sponsor a child and become part of their journey? Sign up here

Other ways you can support our work include:

1. Support a Child’s Enrolment – Contribute towards school supplies, daily school feeding, furniture, or school feeding. Here’s a detailed list of the current needs of our free school.

2. Spread the Word – Share our mission with your friends, family, and colleagues.

Also, you can learn more about our story and impact here

See You Next Month! 🚀

I’m sure you were glued to your screen all through the read.

Stay tuned for next month’s updates— and don’t forget to spread the word!

See you in our next newsletter!

Hello, TMA Superhero!

Welcome to another exciting edition of our Talent Mine newsletter!

March was FULL of back-to-back activities, and trust me, you don’t want to miss the highlights— from Cultural Day to Career Day to Innovation Day, the kids had an unforgettable time learning, growing, and creating memories.

So, grab a seat (and maybe a snack) and let’s dive in!

Cultural Day! 🇳🇬

On Friday, March 7, our students turned up in a grand style for Cultural Day, rocking vibrant traditional attires representing Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo cultures. They looked absolutely stunning!

The day was filled with exciting activities:

✅ Cultural Dance Performances 💃🏽

✅ Fashion Parade

✅ Storytelling & Heritage Awareness

✅ Teacher’s Dance Battle- – Rumour has it that the Head of School won! 🏆

✅ Delicious Traditional Dishes

Yes, I’m still thinking about that mouthwatering Amala and Ewedu 🤤

They got to embrace their roots in the most fun way possible.

Career Day!

We hosted our first-ever Career Day and the excitement was off the charts!

The students dressed up as Doctors, Accountants, Farmers, Lawyers, Teachers, and more— living out their dream careers. We also had experienced professionals in these fields share their journeys— inspiring the kids to dream beyond their environment and believe in possibilities.

The highlight was seeing the kids confidently share their career aspirations and what they learned about each profession. The future is bright!

Of course, the day ended with loads of pictures. Say cheese! 📸

Innovation Day – Young Problem Solvers at Work! 🔬

Our Innovation Day was a showcase of brilliance!

Students presented projects ranging from a solar-powered house and soap-making to upcycling plastic bottle caps into bags.

Parents were in awe as they watched their children bring ideas to life—some even shed tears of pride. For families where education once seemed like a luxury, this was such an emotional moment.

Each class took on a problem-solving challenge:

• Early Childhood – Community Kindness Project & Family Storytelling

• Primary 1 – Understanding community roles (e.g., barbers, policemen)

• Primary 2 – Kindness challenge (daily acts of kindness, recorded & presented)

• Primary 3 – Eco-friendly environment models

• Primary 4 – Solar-powered house

• Primary 5 – Liquid soap production

• Primary 6 – Paper waste recycling (handbags, calendars, paper crafts)

This is how Talent Mine Academy nurtures problem-solvers.

Every student is encouraged to think critically and create solutions for real-world challenges!

Donors & Their Students! 🦸🏽‍♂️💙

At Talent Mine Academy, every child is paired with a donor—a real superhero who makes their education possible.

Last week, our donors had the opportunity to meet with the student(s) they sponsor one-on-one. They shared words of encouragement, received progress updates, and strengthened their bond with these young dreamers.

The best part of sponsoring a child is that you get to walk their journey of becoming with them, witnessing their growth and transformation firsthand.

Want to be part of this impact? Sign up here to sponsor a child!

Second Term Examination Begins! 📚✏️

After all the excitement, it’s time to get serious!

Second-term exams are in full swing, and the kids are focused, determined, and ready to ace their papers.

Wish them luck! 🤞🏽

Let's Give 1,000+ Kids a Future.

With our expanded space, we can now accommodate 1,000+ students. But with this growth comes greater responsibility— and we need your support.

Here’s how you can help:

1. Support a Child’s Enrolment – Contribute towards school supplies, daily school feeding, furniture, or school feeding. Here’s a detailed list of the current needs of our free school.

2. Sponsor a Child – Cover tuition for an out-of-school child monthly or yearly. Sign up here.

3. Spread the Word – Share our mission with your friends, family, and colleagues.

A Special Shout-out!

This month, we received generous donations of food items to support our daily school feeding program.

Thank you to every superhero who made this possible. You’re the reason our children get to dream, learn, and grow.

See You Next Month! 🚀

I’m sure you were glued to your screen all through the read.

Stay tuned for next month’s updates— and don’t forget to spread the word!

See you in our next newsletter!