At COEC Model Schools, we’re doing something different. Teachers and students are asking tough questions and reimagining what learning means for children in rural communities that often get left behind. In northwest Nigeria, where statistics say only about 38% of people can read and write (UNICEF 2022), our Literacy Amidst Violent Conflict (LAVC) program is working towards countering the narrative. Instead of sticking to usual school routines and standardized curricula, we’re using multimodal approaches such as stories, practical activities, and discussions to help students reflect on their lives, the problems they see around them, and how they can be part of the solution.
Dreaming with Eyes Wide Open
Our core study text in the LAVC program is Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani. In the first chapter, Big Dreams, we meet Ya Ta, a young girl who shares her hopes for the future. She dreams of simple things, like new shoes and a good harvest so her dad can pay her school fees. But she also dreams big—passing exams, going to university, becoming a teacher, and even having a sister to help with chores.
Ya Ta says something really beautiful:
“That is the good thing about dreaming with my eyes wide open. It’s like molding a calabash from wet clay. Some other time, some other day, I can always continue from wherever I stop or even start from the beginning all over again.” (p. 2)
This idea of dreaming “with eyes wide open” became the starting point for a classroom activity. After reading the chapter, teachers invited students to think about their own dreams and to imagine they were writing their own book through this prompt:
If you were to write your own book, how would you begin this chapter? What are your big dreams? Write a short paragraph. Begin your sentence with “I dream of…”
The results were amazing. Students shared dreams of becoming medical doctors, securing fully funded educational opportunities, and even becoming activists to fight against human rights abuses. This simple exercise helped the students move away from the dominant narrative that portrays marginalized youth as passive recipients of their circumstance. Instead, they started imagining their own futures and what they could achieve.
Why This Matters
This kind of activity isn’t just about reading and writing—it’s about helping students see themselves as people who can shape their own lives. By connecting Ya Ta’s story to their own experiences, they start thinking about their world in new ways. They begin to ask questions, dream bigger, and believe in their ability to make a difference. That’s what the LAVC program is all about: using stories to spark reflection, growth, and change.
What Would You Do?
How would you teach this chapter to your students? What activities or discussions would you use to help them connect with Ya Ta’s story and think about their own dreams?
If you’re not sure about tackling tough topics in your classroom, check out this post to see why it’s worth it and this one for some ideas to get started.
Let’s Keep Talking
School isn’t just about passing tests—it’s about helping students understand their world and believe in their ability to change it. By encouraging them to dream big and think critically, we can help them break free from the limits others might put on them and create a better future.
Find a more detailed guide to teaching Big Dream below.
Good luck, and happy teaching!
P.S. Take a look at some of our students’ responses below. Their dreams are proof of how powerful hope and imagination can be!
