Be Storied Project is a Yolar Initiative that documents the stories of everyday people finding ways to conquer in places where media representation is low, and empowering the next generation of storytellers in their communities in line in with the global Sustainable Development Goals on education.

It’s launching its debut storywalk on the 24th of October, 2020 at the Ijora Badia Community in Apapa axis, Lagos State Nigeria.

Ijora is a community that literally lives on waste, not because they desire it, but because their soil is swampy, and since the government wouldn’t do anything about it, they ‘waste-fill’ the ground so they can walk on it, and go about their daily lives. The BSP storywalk at Ijora aims to listen to the stories of members of this community – their struggles, hopes and dreams, and in partnership with Yolar Magazine, The Yolar Podcast, and other media partners, tell the stories of these people, and bring to light the challenges they face, with the hopes of bringing the desired communal development.

Sustainable Development Goal Integration

BSP is working inline with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (4.3 and 4.4) on Quality Education which states:

• By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university.

• By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.

The BSP team will visit these communities with educational materials for the children: books, crayons, pencils, pens, drawing books. The project includes listening to the children tell their stories, dreams and prospects, and then equipping them with the primary tools and skills for their goals.

Call for Volunteers

BSP is looking for volunteers with necessary skills for the upcoming project. We welcome passionate, creative people with Lagos Nigeria, across Africa, and in the diaspora to apply.  It doesn’t matter your profession or educational background. As long as you have a passion for storytelling, and you have an internet access, we’ll consider your application. We have a virtual office, so a good amount of the work will be done online.

Some required volunteer skills and expertise:

1. Language: Someone with a fluent understanding and speaking of the Yoruba Language.
2. Adventurous: Ability to move via water, land and through bushes.
3. Photography: Expert use of a mobile device for amazing storytelling shots.
4. Videography: Stable recording and coverage of power sessions.
5. Entertainment: The ability to integrate actively as part of a team, and engage the community.
6. Writing: Ability to telling stories creatively.

To Volunteer, click here.