Angele Messa is a social entrepreneur, and the co-founder of EduClick. EduClick is a EdTech organisation which provides alternative learning methods for students who cannot access formal education. EduClick offers mainly e-learning, online revision and a Tech Lab for kids and young people.
Interview of Angele Messa for Geeky Girl Reality
I recently had the privilege of interviewing Angele Messa, a social entrepreneur, and the co-founder of EduClick. EduClick is a EdTech organisation which provides alternative learning methods for students who cannot access formal education. EduClick offers mainly e-learning, online revision and a Tech Lab for kids and young people. The inspiration for EduClick was Messa’s childhood. As a child, Messa was often ill and thus missed several days of school. As a result, she had to rely on her friends for school notes and had nothing to learn when there were no notes. This motivated Messa to create a platform for ill children, that could enable them to learn from anywhere and still pass their exams. With time, she realised that there were many communities without access to formal education and so she expanded her platform.
Messa’s journey into STEM has been unconventional. She studied humanities and she has a master’s degree in International Relations. After a business venture fell through due to a lack of technology focused skills, she decided to acquire the necessary skills and eventually completed an internship at a software development program. After which, she launched EduClick and firmly assert, “So, if you have always been told that STEM is difficult, take my example and don't listen. If you set your mind to learn, you will always learn new things and excel at it.”
EduClick has been able to serve over seven thousand young people in Cameroon and beyond. She is driven by the calls, text messages or emails she receives from parents thanking her for the services at EduClick, “that is what keeps me moving. The idea that our services are bringing hope to someone somewhere… motivates me to do more.” EduClick has received numerous accolades such as the African Union Education Innovation Award 2018, also becoming the Agenda 2063 Champion for the AUDA-NEPAD and been featured amongst Most Influential Young Cameroonians 2018. In 2019, Messa was selected to spend five weeks at the Silicon Valley in the American Techwomen program.
Read on and be inspired by Angele Messa’s journey, after all, it is just a click away.
Name: Angele Messa
Role/Occupation: EdTech Entrepreneur / Founder EduClick
Country: Cameroon
1. Describe what your work entails.
I am the co-founder of EduClick, an EdTech organisation which develops alternative learning methods for those who cannot access formal education. We offer mainly e-learning, online revision and a Tech Lab for kids and young people.
My job consists of designing and implementing Open Educational Resources (OERs) platforms and the development of digital content. It consists of analysing and researching the skills gap within institutions and small businesses, developing digital content (e-learning, video, graphics, platforms) and ultimately advocating for education for all. I also spend time teaching at our Techlab (EduClick Innovation Kitchen).
2. Describe your STEM journey.
I am a pure Arts student. I studied humanities at undergraduate level, and I hold a master’s degree in International Relations. I came into tech due to a disappointment and the failure of the first venture I founded. Kamer Big Bang was co-founded in 2016 with a friend who had a Tech background. When we faced the first major obstacle, he decided to let me down. The business went for months without website updates, social media marketing and Search Engine Optimisation. That is when I realized, there are some technology focused skills I needed to better manage a business which was required to be ninety percent Tech. That is how I started with Youtube tutorials and finally took an internship at a software development program. A year later, I was launched EduClick and since then, my team and I have achieved several milestones.
So, if you have always been told that STEM is difficult, take my example and don't listen. If you set your mind to learn, you will always learn new things and excel at it.
3. What excites you about your job? What motivates you to get out of bed every morning?
The main concept behind EduClick emanates from my personal story. As a child, I was often ill and as a result missed several days of school. I relied on my friends for notes and other news from school and had nothing to learn when they did not come to visit me. In the beginning, I just wanted to create a platform for ill children, that could enable them to learn from anywhere and still pass their exams. Later, I felt a similar need with other communities, like communities affected by conflicts or rural communities without any good schools. I often receive calls, text messages or emails from parents thanking me for our services at EduClick. That is what keeps me moving. The idea that our services are bringing hope to someone somewhere wakes me up from bed every day and motivates me to do more. I am passionate about what I do, and it enables me to pay my bills at the end of the month. This makes me feel happy and most of the time it is exciting, and I do not feel as if I am working.
4. How would you describe your experience as a woman in the STEM space?
The constant and rapid evolution of the STEM space makes it very challenging in general and two times more challenging as a woman. Basically, you will need to consistently produce results and stay focused. My experience in general has been good. My work speaks for me and that has easily enabled me to gain respect and opportunities for collaboration with my peers, both male and female. As a woman in STEM, so many stereotypes are attached to you, you are judged and condemned at the slightest mistake. Without wanting to be perfect, I have invested much time working on my emotional sanity and resilience. I know what I am worth and what I have to offer. Beyond always wanting to play on the safe side, I have broken some boundaries which 'real or good women' are not supposed, to come close to success and I do not regret it. I learn to occupy my space; I relearn and unlearn every day and produce results one step at a time.
For example, some people think as a woman, you need to charge less for services or work for free. Some even feel you cannot be up to the task. You must constantly prove yourself and be focused. The challenges are varied, ranging from your professional network and personal life. There are so many stereotypes attached to women in business. To thrive, you need to be consistently producing results and not pay attention to what people think of you, your goals, and ambitions.
5. What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter the STEM field?
To any young woman out there aspiring to enter the engineering and STEM field, know that you can do it. Let no one tell you are not good enough. This field requires resilience, focus and patience and I will say women were born with these gifts. All you need is to start somewhere. It does not matter if you write your first line of code at seven years or at thirty-five years. What matters is your resilience to not quit despite the difficulties that you will face on your way. Be proud of your small accomplishments, celebrate them and keep pushing. All those small accomplishments put together is what we call consistence and that is all you need to thrive in the STEM field.
6. As a STEM woman in Africa, how do you foresee the growth and progress of STEM on the continent? Is Africa a “land of opportunity”?
STEM is the current and next big thing in Africa. When we look at the future of work and digitalisation of nearly all aspects of our lives, it is evident that Africa is a land of opportunities. There are changes in all aspects of our lives with EdTech, FinTech, AgTech, 3D and Robotics becoming the new normal and the stakes are high for Africa. This holds a great opportunity for the African woman. This is her time to be a main actor in the development scene and to not be left out or relegated to the kitchen as has always been the case. I believe that, women must make a conscious decision to be main actors/players in the 4th Industrial Revolution. This begins by skilling up. That is the main role of our Innovation Kitchen, ‘demystifying STEM' and preparing women for this future of work which is moving towards digitalisation.
7. Have there been any milestone moments or eureka moments in your career?
My career so far has been highlighted by the achievement of several milestones. EduClick started as a self-funded initiative and later became a bootstrapped organisation with one full time employee. Today, we function as an organisation with constant return on investment (ROI) with five full time employees. We have been able to serve over seven thousand young people in Cameroon and beyond and we have received recognition both at a national and international level. We are proud to have received the African Union Education Innovation Award 2018, to be proclaimed as Agenda 2063 Champion by the AUDA-NEPAD and to be featured amongst Most Influential Young Cameroonians 2018. In 2019, I was also selected to spend five weeks at the Silicon Valley as a Techwomen, a program sponsored by the US Department of State.
8. How do you maintain a work-life balance?
Besides being an entrepreneur, I run a home as a wife and mother. It takes so much planning and motivation. Though I plan everything, I also leave room for flexibility. In the beginning, I oversaw every task in the organisation and that was challenging. I worked over twelve hours each day and it went on for over fourteen months. When I was able to build a foundation and start getting customers, I started building a team which helped me in the implementation and worked towards the achievement of our vision. I have a strong team which I trust, made up of people passionate about our work and that is one of my greatest strengths.
The outbreak of Covid-19, despite all its negative impacts on all the aspects of our lives, also had a positive impact on my family. Travelling has reduced, working has become remote to an extent, which enables me to spend more time with family.
9. Who is your role model? Who inspires you?
I am inspired by Afrilab's Rebecca Enongchong. She is my role model. Barack Obama's charisma inspires me and many of the women around me who are building their empires one step at a time in Africa and beyond.
10. Where can more information or insight into your work be found?
www.educlick.careers
Twitter Handle: @angelemessa @educlickafrica
Additional/Optional questions:
If you have started a business or a non-profit organisation, what advice do you have for women aspiring to start a business or a non-profit organisation?
I think there is space for everyone and there so many untapped opportunities out there. As a woman, you need to know that the business world is male dominated. You therefore will need to learn new skills and draft a strategy before you start. The start might never be perfect, but you must still start. Arthur Ashe says: "Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can. I go by that. The more you do, the better you get, and many more opportunities open for you. And when you face challenges, do not give up. Take a break, go back to the drawing board, and change your strategy, equip yourself better and start all over again. And remember to ask for help when possible. When you build networks, you must use them as stepping steps. Ask for help when you feel you cannot make it alone. It is a sign of strength and proof that you know what you are doing.
Angele Messa interviewed by Dhruti Dheda
Dhruti Dheda is a Chemical Engineer with a strong interest in media and communication. She is the editor of the Engineers without Borders South Africa Newsletter and the Community Manager – South Africa and Regional Outreach for Geeky Girl Reality. If you wish to collaborate or network, contact her at [email protected] or find her on Twitter @dhrutidd
