IM : Identities Media
TPP: Temi Phyllis Pratt
IM: Tell us about yourself.
TPP: I am Temi Phyllis Pratt, founder of Canon Education and an experienced Social impact / International development professional. I am very passionate about the sector. I think one of my career highlights so far has been having the courage to start Canon Education! It has been an interesting journey filled with twists and turns but also incredibly rewarding. The reward has been being given the privilege to create an enabling environment for young people to thrive. I would like to be remembered as someone committed to creating an enabling environment for young people. Helping them thrive.
IM :What makes you wake up in the morning?
TPP: I have a deep desire to see young people fulfil their potential and I see Canon Education, (with our focus on STEM Education) as a platform for young people from low income communities to utilise as they harness opportunities and their own talents. It is this passion that wakes me up in the morning and continues to be the fuel to the engine of building a social enterprise.
IM: What does being part of the ‘Top 10 Finalists in the Donors for Africa’s Social Innovators Bootcamp’ mean to you?
TPP: It was a surprise! And again a privilege. The training was very practical and relevant to our work and the wider sector. I think being a finalist is actually testament to the good quality training received during the boot camp. Puting the strategies we learnt during the boot camp contributed immensely to being selected as a Top 10 Finalist. Well donto to Chidi Koldsweat and the team for doing an excellent job.
IM :What do you see in the near future after this?
TPP: The near future for me is to continue to build Canon Education and to continuously ensure we offer best-in-class STEM training to our partner schools. We work in Nigeria currently but are planning to expand across the continent soon, especially as we implement our teacher training product. For my country and indeed the whole African continent, I hope the near future brings more investment in the education sector. I am looking forward to working collaboratively with stakeholders across the continent.
IM: What are your parting words or advice for the next class and Africa at large?
TPP: One of my Education Heros (Lanre Oniyitan Founder of SEED Nigeria) often says – Think BIG, Start Small, Start with what you have..be intentional. I love this charge! And to borrow Mrs Oniyitan’s words – this is also my charge to the next class. To Africa, hmm, I could probably write a poem! But I will end with this… Africa, you are beautiful, filled with passion, brilliance and endless beauty. Your potential is limitless.
Add comment