MU SHUKA IRI is an alternative education programme developed by Five Cowries Arts Education Initiative (FCI) in partnership with Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF). MU SHUKA IRI is a community based, community driven, learning programme, achieved by empowering women in the community.

MU SHUKA IRI evolved from an earlier pilot programme designed by FCI called “Ka Shuka Iri”. The Ka Shuka Iri pilot programme was developed with support from UNICEF and involved 50 teachers and educators and 7,000 children in 2 Local Government Areas (LGA) in Kano State (Kunchi & Tsanyawa LGAs).

MU SHUKA IRI is based out of a learning hub (Kankarofi Hub) in the former British Council office at the Emir of Kano’s Palace in Kano metropolis. Our “Aunties” are nominated by the Kano Emirate Council  and Ward Heads and drawn from the target communities.

Each Aunty is trained by FCI to become a community educator and deliver the programme, receiving a certificate on completion. The training involves monthly intensive training session and continuous learning through the 8 months of the programme duration overseen by FCI. The training includes hands-on training on the delivery of the programme within the designated households. At the end of the programme the Aunties are qualified to deliver subsequent phases of the programme, set up their own childcare facility/creche, and/or train other community educators.

Our MSI hubs are:

•   A training space for new “Aunties”.

•   A drop in/resources space for Alumni Aunties.

•   A controlled drop in learning space for children in the community.

•   If located in a school they become a drop in space for teachers in the school.