2025: WHAT A YEAR!
Medium | 30.12.2025 23:09
2025: WHAT A YEAR!
The Luminary Foundation for Education
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First of all, can someone play me, “And with that, the 2025 season has come to an end”?
As the year winds down, like most people, these past days have found me introspective — looking within and behind, counting our blessings, if you may.
For an organization that set out to capture the stars, it gladdens my heart to trace the many things we achieved this year. And I’m here because… well, I didn’t want to be the only one having all the fun.
1. LUMI AT THREE
Yes, I’m starting with something sentimental (please grab tissues).
On the 3rd of January, The Luminary Foundation for Education turned three. Now, technically, the organization kicked off with the Watercolor Project in August 2022, so one could argue that August should be our anniversary. However, our boss insists — and rightly so — that it was on the 3rd of January that we got our birth certificate (a.k.a. CAC registration documents). That was when we became official, so that’s the date. In case you were wondering… you’re welcome.
We celebrated with a virtual party, and it was exactly what you’d expect when creatives gather in one place; wildly chaotic in the best way. There were questions, answers that had us holding our ribs from laughing too hard, games, and most importantly, a reminder of why we joined and remain with TLFE.
At TLFE, we believe volunteers are the first beneficiaries. We are not only changing lives out there; our own lives are being transformed too.
I’d love to get romantic and tell you about how an Adam found his missing rib during the party… but that happened much later. I know your aproko side is itching to know who but I won’t tell you. FOCUS.
2. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF EDUCATION
On the 23rd of January 2025, TLFE marked the International Day of Education in grand style. In collaboration with the NYSC SDG CDS Abuja and Teens Launch Africa, we visited Government Day Secondary School, Abuja.
There, we acted out our belief that education is the right of every child and that no child should be left behind.
There is nothing more profound than meeting a child where they are and helping them become who they ought to be. It was an honour to do this with — and for — the students of Government Day Secondary School.
3. OUR TWITTER (X) SPACES: WHERE THE HARD CONVERSATIONS HAPPENED
This year also marked a stronger presence for TLFE on Twitter (X). We hosted seven Twitter Spaces, where we didn’t just talk about the problems facing education in Nigeria — we proposed solutions.
These conversations covered topics such as learning poverty, the limitations of exam-focused education, and the urgent need to prepare students for life beyond the classroom.
We were not a group of jobless people gathered to gripe about the state of the nation. We were — and still are — people committed to creating the future we long to see.
Many things from those sessions stayed with you (that is, if you actually attended — internally giving you the stink eye). But one statement from our very wise founder deserves repeating:
“Education is not just delivering a curriculum. It is a nurturing of the minds of the learners, while also ensuring that their bodies are not weak.”
4. SPOTLIGHT ON OUR VOLUNTEERS
Yes, we called it “Meet Our Volunteers.” Terribly cliché, but hey, it got the message across.
This mini-series gave us the opportunity to shine a light on the people who keep the wheels of TLFE turning. We avoided the usual questions — age, gender (just in case you couldn’t already tell from the videos), relationship status.
Instead, we asked the heavy questions:
What do you love most about volunteering with TLFE?
What has been your favourite event so far, and why?
Which part of our vision and mission resonates with you most?
The answers? Thoughtful. Passionate. Hope-filled. These people will change the world. I’m convinced.
5. TLFE ON MEDIUM (YES, MEDIUM)
This year, we launched our blog!
For an organization so deeply given to writing, this felt like a natural step. For a brief moment, we courted Substack… until we realised she was a complicated lover. We moved to Medium, and honestly? We’ve lived happily ever after.
Now, I know we’ve been a bit MIA on the blog lately. I promise there’s a reason — and no, it’s not an excuse. If you’re looking for someone to blame, blame me.
I got tired of being jobless and decided to get a job. Unfortunately, that job turned out to be a jealous mistress, demanding all my affection and attention. Since I don’t do paranoid lovers, we broke up. So yes, I’m jobless again — which means there’s now plenty of affection and attention to lavish on this blog.
And don’t worry, I’ve learned my lesson. Once is one time too many.
The point is: just because 2025 is ending doesn’t mean our blog is going with it. We’re committing to more consistent writing in 2026.
6. THE WATERCOLOR PROJECT AT TABITHA HOME
For TWP 2025, we had the privilege of executing the program at Tabitha Home and what a beautiful experience it was.
Every week, we engaged about twenty children, introducing them to 21st-century skills — what they are, why they matter, and how they can be applied in their own spaces.
The children were delightful, stealing our hearts with their smiles, their dreams, and their eagerness to learn.
TWP ’25 at Tabitha Home was a testament to the endless possibilities children can create when they’re given a brush, a canvas, and the freedom to dream.
7. JOY AT CHRISTMAS
On the 27th of December, TLFE partnered with an NGO called From Slum to Runway. From the name alone, you might already guess that they’re fashion-focused — and you might also be wondering what TLFE had to do with such a collaboration.
From Slum to Runway runs an annual December outreach called Joy at Christmas, aimed at providing quality clothing for the less privileged. This year’s edition featured a clothing drive, and this time the organizers didn't want to focus on only clothing their bodies. From Slum to Runway decided it was just as important to clothe their minds — and that’s where TLFE came in.
The joy on the children’s faces when they realised they could answer questions and win prizes was unforgettable. While this outreach was slightly different, with the children were younger than our usual beneficiaries, the mission remained the same: to remind them that they are capable of more than they imagine.
Whether it’s answering a question to win a prize today or graduating at the top of their class tomorrow, the message was clear. They can achieve whatever they set their minds to.
LOOKING BACK AND MOVING FORWARD
So there you have it: seven landmarks of God’s faithfulness, our vision in action, and your unwavering commitment to us.
One thing 2025 taught us is this: no imagination can ever fully capture the reality of what happens when you step out to do something meaningful. The work is harder, the impact deeper, and the lessons richer than you ever expect.
What we’re carrying forward is simple but powerful: no matter how small our efforts may seem, we will keep showing up. Consistently. Faithfully. Boldly. Because we know and believe that every child has a right to quality education.
As we draw the curtain on 2025, brace yourself because 2026 is coming with depth, consistency, and impact.
After all, at TLFE, it is from glory to glory.
Written by Chinaza Agom
