Parents are children’s first teachers, and our Parenting With Love seminars embrace this vital role. Over the past six months, through 10 different seminars, we have supported families across South Africa (Johannesburg and Gqeberha) and Uganda (Katwe, Bukerere, Nakivale, and The Kyaka Refugee Camps), offering practical tools and emotional encouragement for stronger family bonds.

Since its launch in 2024, Teaching With Love has become an inspiration for educators seeking to nurture inclusive learning environments where every child can flourish. Looking back at the first and second quarter of 2025, we continue to see the impact of our TWL seminars.

Each time a STEPi book is reprinted, we ask ourselves, “How can we improve the book?” The latest improvement for “Amani the Boda-Boda Rider” was to add a glossary. Do you know what a “solutionary” is?

STEPi’s books are more than stories, they are gateways to opportunity. We inspire children to enjoy storybooks while simultaneously building their vocabulary banks. Our goal is for every child to learn every word they can read and to use these words in daily conversations. We believe that reading is a tool for learning and growth.

Seek courage and happiness. Listen to your inner voice to find happiness. Happiness equates to success doing what you love because it brings joy. When happiness, creativity and innovation flourish, the doors to new ideas and knowledge are opened. Creativity is a vital leadership skill. Do not deprive yourself of your future. Make wise decisions and pursue your genuine passion. Decide your own path and career. Be courageous.

Our local languages have played a vital role in shaping a culture-centric education system in East Africa. Uganda’s thematic-based curriculum, for instance, relies heavily on indigenous languages like Luganda, Kiswahili, and Runyakitara. This approach has created more inclusive and participatory classrooms.

It was a sunny Monday morning in the Kyaka II refugee settlement when we engaged primary four learners of Itambabiniga primary school. As we entered the class with warm smiles and a stack of colorful STEPi storybooks in our arms, we were determined to make learners fall in love with reading and ignite a spark of inspiration among learners.

With literacy, transformative education, and a desire to strengthen communities, and build parent and teacher resilience, front and centre, Nelson Mandela University in South Africa recently signed an agreement with Utopia Foundation and Squaring the Education Pyramid Institute (STEPi) to help transform education and elevate the importance of early childhood development.