Bouncing into a New Year: Celebrating Our BrightSpark Stars

In August 2025, we originally planned to host a celebration for the end of the school year. However, life had other plans. After the heartbreaking loss of two of our children, the joy we had been preparing for didn't feel right. We chose to wait, to heal, and to find the right moment to come together as a community. That moment arrived this past December. We gathered not just to mark the end of a school term, but to celebrate the resilience of our BrightSpark children and everything they achieved throughout 2025.

Children performing a traditional Gbagyi Dance

A Day of Achievement in Dobi

Fifty-two children filled the TeacherConnect Center in Dobi with energy and laughter. Among them were eight special students who have officially graduated and moved on to secondary school. We were also honored to have parents, teachers, community youth representatives, and our Head of Programmes join us to share in the magic of the day.

The highlights were truly unforgettable as the children performed a traditional Gbagyi dance that filled the air with rhythm and pride. Several students stood up to deliver speeches they had written themselves, showing incredible growth. We also took a moment to celebrate two of our outgoing students, Zarah Zakari Angulu and Sumaya Nasiru, who both won prizes for English at their respective schools. Watching children who began the year tracing letters in the sand now standing confidently to address an audience was a powerful reminder of why this work matters.

Zarah Angulu reading her speech

The Bouncy Castle: A Lesson in Joy

When we were planning the entertainment, a suggestion was made to rent a bouncy castle. Our team debated the idea at first. Some argued that the money could be used for something more practical, but one of our core goals is to expose these children to new experiences. Many of them have never left their community or seen a bouncy castle, let alone played on one. Ultimately, we decided to say yes.

When the castle arrived, the children were hesitant. They weren't quite sure what to make of this giant, inflatable structure. To show them the way, our teachers climbed on first and started bouncing! The children watched, giggled, and then, one by one, they joined in. By the end of the day, we could not get them to leave.

That moment captured the essence of BrightSpark. Education is not just about literacy and numeracy; it is about opening doors. It is about showing children that the world is bigger than what they currently know and giving them the permission to try new things, even when they feel a little afraid.

The children enjoying the Bouncy Castle

A Call to Grow

The day was filled with food, treats, games, and gifts for every child to take home. But the most impactful part of the day was the feedback from the parents. As they left, their message was clear: expand the classes and bring in more children. That is exactly what we intend to do as we move into 2026.

OneTeacher Staff with some Parents and Community Representatives

With Gratitude

This celebration, and every milestone BrightSpark achieved in 2024 and 2025, would not have been possible without our dedicated team and our generous donors. Thank you for believing in this mission and for showing up for these children. We ended the year with full hearts and we are ready for the bright future ahead.