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www.ubongo.org

: Transforming Learning Through Edutainment.!

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What is Ubongo all about?

Ubongo started in Tanzania in 2013 with a goal of bringing kids all over Africa a fun, localised and top quality learning, no matter what school they go to or background they come from. We believe that kids learn best while having fun and so all of our shows use songs and stories to teach important topics.

Ubongo has expanded its broadcast media edutainment from Tanzania to over 40 countries, offering content in 12 languages through TV, radio, SMS, IVR, and digital platforms. Our vision is to equip Africa’s next generation with the foundational education, critical skills, and positive mindsets necessary to improve their lives and communities.

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UBONGO KIDS BRAND GUIDELINES 2020

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3

0 - 3

SUPPLEMENTARY CONTENT

TV, IVR, social media, games

While this age-group is not part of Ubongo’s target audience, existing content for parents and caregivers supports outcomes for kids in their early years

Learning outcomes are measured around Ubongo three core brands (shows)

Provide educational foundation

(pre literacy/numeracy) to prepare them for school

TV, Radio, eBooks

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Kids who watch Akili and Me, show a 13% improvement in early cognitive skills

Develop comprehension

skills to support cognitive development

TV, Radio, eBooks

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Empower caregivers to understand their child’s development and provide nurturing learning environment

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In order to credibly live into its intended impact; Ubongo will extend its evidence of programme efficacy across its 3 core shows

Build key life skills and knowledge acquisition

TV, Radio, eBooks

OUR PROGRAMS

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44%

of 3-4 y.o.’s in Africa have low cognitive or social-emotional development.

(McCoy et al., 2016)

250

million

kids are below minimum proficiency for literacy and numeracy respectively in Africa

2 billion

more babies in Africa will be born over next 35 yrs. (Unicef 2014)

We need effective, scalable & resilient innovations to ensure these kids get

quality learning & develop a strong foundation in education & life.

20%

of students across SSA have non-literate parents and

kids educational content is not fully adapted

to local context

High levels of exclusion prevent African kids from accessing quality education

THE CHALLENGE

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OUR SOLUTION ADDRESSES KEY CHALLENGES IN AFRICAN EDUCATION

1. Demographics

2. Inclusion

3. Quality

Ubongo reaches a large number of kids by distributing content via multiple mass media channels and platforms to reach as many kids as possible

Ubongo works with partners to reach underserved and last mile populations

Ubongo’s content is co-created with diverse groups of kids and has relevant characters that are inclusive of different African kids and cultures

Content integrates social emotional learning and is engaging for kids even with diverse learning needs

Ubongo invests in complementary programming to ensure content can reach last mile kids through multiple mission aligned partners

Ubongo’s content productively supplements formal education systems

to ensure kids can achieve improved learning outcomes in literacy and numeracy and foundational learning skills, emphasizing learning through play

Ubongo’s content is adapted into local languages to increase learning outcomes and retention

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OUR APPROACH

human centered research

content co-creation

distribution to millions

impact evaluation

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INCLUSIVE PROCESS AT UBONGO

@ubongotz

Conduct curriculum mapping and consult school textbooks to identify priority topics and gaps

Consult education stakeholders through roundtable events. This allows us to stay up to date with topical educational issues

Human-Centred Design with kids, parents, teachers, religious leaders, elders, community leaders and whoever else plays a part in educating a child!

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reach

(ratings / surveys)

engagement

(receptivity / observation)

outcomes

(rigorous studies)

replicability

(adaptation studies)

Media ratings show Ubongo content regularly viewed/ listened to by over 42 million learners

3/4 of urban and 1/2 of rural kids in Tanzania can name main characters from shows (Sagaci 2018, IPSOS 2019).

55% of kids with regular access can name 4 main characters after 12 weeks (Borzekowski 2020 - email to request access).

1 month of daily viewing leads to highly significant gains in numeracy, language & fine motor skills (Borzekowski 2016).

Knowing 4 main characters (indicating high engagement w/ content) accounts for 13% gains in cognitive skills (local language), 4% in English skills, 7% in SEL, 16% in health (Borzekowski 2020).

Long term exposure correlates to significantly higher math scores (Watson 2020,). Notable positive changes in gender norms and behaviours (Cherewick,et al.2021)

Ubongo content carefully adapted to other languages maintains strong learning outcomes (Borzekowski 2019), Borzekowski 2021

Kids watch & enjoy

Kids engage & return

Kids learn & Improve

We localize & engage

We distribute & expand

We design & create

Impact Evaluation & Learning

OUR EVIDENCE

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Our inclusive work.

  • Characters
  • Co creation and usertesting with children with disabilities.
  • Ubongo inclusive and disability framework.

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Ubongo advocates for inclusivity for kids in underserved communities who do not have access to devices to be able to access Ubongo edutainment content.

In 2021 Ubongo planned to reach 5 million kids by end of 2024 , we have managed to reach 4.3 million kids in East Africa, through different distribution channels.

OUR WORK AROUND DISTRIBUTION.

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To reach the last mile children we do use various distribution models such as.

  • Household distribution,
  • Schools,
  • Video shops/bandas,
  • Partnering with different organizations to facilitate kids in watching the shows (e.g Hempel, RTI-Jifunze Uelewe).
  • Roadshows to reach more kids in the last mile which have been conducted in Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, and in July a roadshow was launched in Tanzania .

CHANNELS USED IN REACHING LAST MILE CHILDREN.

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youtube.com/akiliandme

Anett Ngongi.

Email annette@ubongo.org

Mobile +255 758 55 04 21

Chat with us on WhatsApp +12349001234

Website www.ubongo.org

GET IN TOUCH!