Because Every Learner Deserves the Chance to Shine
Welcome to the SHINE Foundation Blog
By Adeyemi P. Awomodu, Founder
I was seven years old when my parents made a choice that would change my life forever.
As the second of five children in a low-income family in Bariga, Lagos, I was the only sibling chosen to receive an education. Not because I was the brightest, or the most hardworking, or even the eldest — but because I spoke the best English.
In my predominantly Yoruba-speaking community, English proficiency was seen as the golden ticket to success. My parents, both monolingual Yoruba speakers who never attended school themselves, believed that my ability to speak English meant I was the most likely to “make it” in life. The unspoken agreement was clear: I would succeed, and then support my siblings who had sacrificed their educational opportunities for mine.
That decision came with both privilege and an unbearable weight.
The Hidden Cost of Language Inequality
Growing up in Nigeria, I witnessed firsthand how language shaped destinies. Yoruba speakers who didn’t speak English were often viewed as failures. Entire communities like mine, where Yoruba was the primary language, were considered to be at the bottom of the social ladder.
I carried this reality with me every single day. At school, I was told I was smart because I spoke English well. At home, I watched my siblings — brilliant, capable, creative — denied the same opportunities simply because they hadn’t mastered the “right” language.
Years later, even after I’d moved to the UK and earned my degrees, this inequality followed me. When I took my twin daughters to register at our local GP surgery, a staff member decided to swap their beautiful Yoruba names — Adeifeoluwa (the crown of God’s love) and Adeireoluwa (the crown of God’s goodness) — for their English middle names. The reason? The English names were “easier and better to pronounce.”
That moment crystallised everything I’d experienced growing up. Language wasn’t just about communication — it was about dignity, identity, and belonging.
From Personal Experience to Collective Action
My academic journey took me from homelessness in London to a BA at the University of Essex, then an MSt. in Linguistics at Oxford, and now a PhD investigating the relationship between language of instruction and educational outcomes in Nigerian primary schools.
But throughout this journey, one question haunted me: What about the children like my siblings? What about the brilliant minds being left behind because they don’t speak the “right” language? What about the students who have potential but lack the resources to access education?
In 2024, I founded the SHINE Foundation (Supporting Holistic, Inclusive, and Nurturing Education) to answer that question.
Education Is More Than Schooling
SHINE was born from a simple but powerful belief: every learner deserves the chance to shine — regardless of their linguistic background, socioeconomic status, or circumstances.
We know that education is more than just academics. A child can’t learn if they’re hungry. A girl can’t focus if she’s worried about her period. A university student can’t succeed if they can’t afford their exam fees. And a teacher can’t be effective without support and professional development.
That’s why SHINE takes a holistic approach through six interconnected pillars:
- Learning for All — Promoting multilingual education and literacy
- Educational Equity — Providing resources for students facing socioeconomic barriers
- Whole Learner Wellbeing — Supporting mental health, nutrition, and creative expression
- Empowering Families and Communities — Equipping parents to champion quality education
- Educator Support and Innovation — Building teacher capacity for inclusive pedagogy
- Advocacy and Research — Amplifying learner voices through data and storytelling
Our First Year: Small Acts, Big Impact
In just our first year, with the incredible support of partners like the RHF Foundation and the dedication of our volunteers, we’ve already begun to make a difference:
- 340 pupils received complete school uniforms through our Dress Them Up, Lift Them Up initiative
- 6 schools received stationery supplies, ensuring students have the tools they need to learn
- 500 girls are receiving dignity kits through our pilot programme
- 38 university students received tuition support through the SHINE Scholars Support Scheme (4S)
- 12 families received emergency relief for rent, food, and medical expenses
But beyond these numbers are real stories: the girl who can now attend school every day of the month, the volunteer-student who can continue their education while serving others, the child who walks into class with confidence because they’re wearing a proper uniform.
A Quick Update on My Siblings
Remember those siblings who sacrificed their education for mine? Today, two of my sisters are teachers in Lagos primary and secondary schools. Another sister is a nurse advancing her career. My brother is a stage actor and radio presenter hosting a Yoruba educational programme.
All of them thriving. All of them successful. All without speaking “good English.”
They didn’t need English to have value — they needed opportunity, support, and people who believed in them.
That’s what SHINE is here to provide.
Join Us in Lighting Up Learning
This blog will be a space where we share stories from the field, reflections on education and equity, voices from our volunteers and scholars, and updates on our programmes. We’ll celebrate victories, examine challenges, and explore what it really means to create inclusive, nurturing education.
Because every statistic has a heartbeat. Every uniform delivered, every scholarship awarded, every meal shared carries a human story.
And every learner — regardless of language, background, or circumstance — deserves the chance to shine.
Welcome to the SHINE Foundation blog. Welcome to our community.
Let’s light up learning together.
Have a story to share? Interested in volunteering or partnering with SHINE? We’d love to hear from you at info@weareshine.org
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