Ubongo Launches Nuzo and Namia: Empowering African Kids through Edutainment

Ubongo, Africa’s leading edutainment organization, has taken a significant step towards transforming the future of education for African children with the launch of its groundbreaking new show, Nuzo and Namia. This one-of-a-kind program, aimed at promoting inclusive learning and raising awareness about neurodiversity, holds the potential to revolutionize education across the continent.

Ubongo Edutainment, a pan-African non-profit social enterprise, has a strong track record of improving school readiness, learning outcomes, and driving social and behavioral change communication for children and their caregivers. Their latest venture, Nuzo and Namia, seeks to encourage learning through play and celebrate the diverse ways in which children perceive and engage with the world.

Neurodiversity, as recognized by research, acknowledges that individuals possess unique thinking, learning, and behavioral patterns. It celebrates these differences instead of viewing them as shortcomings or deficits. However, neurodivergent children in African households often face challenges, including parental concerns, labels of being slow learners, and even exclusion from schools.

Ubongo firmly believes that every child deserves a quality education, tailored to their unique learning style. In collaboration with The LEGO Foundation, a global leader in children’s play and learning, Ubongo has developed an early learning program specifically designed for African children aged 6 to 9. The partnership with The LEGO Foundation has provided invaluable insights and expertise in curricula, pedagogy, content creation, and product design.

Iman Lipumba, Ubongo’s Director of Communications and Development, expressed their commitment to inclusivity and play-based learning: “We have partnered with The LEGO Foundation to develop a groundbreaking early learning program that celebrates different ways of thinking and learning. Our aim is to improve engagement, learning experiences, and outcomes for all audiences, including neurodivergent children.”

At the core of Ubongo’s initiative is Nuzo and Namia, a captivating show that takes young viewers on a magical adventure. The story revolves around 7-year-old twins, Nuzo and Namia, who embark on exciting journeys across different African countries after discovering a magical bookshelf in their late grandmother’s house. Accompanied by a magical creature named Bubelang, they explore diverse cultures, develop character strengths, and enhance their reading and listening comprehension skills.

Lipumba emphasized the significance of Nuzo and Namia in Ubongo’s quest to revolutionize education: “The launch of Nuzo and Namia marks a significant milestone in our journey to create engaging, inclusive content that resonates with diverse learners. We plan to adapt the show to over 12 languages to ensure accessibility for audiences with different linguistic backgrounds and learning styles.”

Ubongo’s vision extends beyond Nuzo and Namia. Their organizational goal is to become Africa’s leading inclusive, play-based edutainment producer, aiming to improve learning experiences and outcomes for all children while increasing awareness of conditions such as Autism and ADHD. They strive to equip every African child with the necessary support to thrive and harness the benefits of Learning Through Play.

As Ubongo invites audiences to join them on this extraordinary journey, the magic of Nuzo and Namia promises to captivate screens across Africa, making quality education accessible to all.