Public education provisions falls short in delivering adequate literacy and resources to children and youth across the nation. Those in rural and underserved communities are particularly vulnerable. MAYEIN’s mission is to support youths to build 21st century competencies, thrive and participate in the economic and civic life of their communities and the Nation. Our Vision is for youth competence and inclusion to form a major driver of national development and economic growth.

For 10 years MAYEIN has been implementing a compendium of solid literacy, e-Literacy and Positive Youth Development (PYD) programs reaching over 5000 educationally disadvantaged children and youth across poor communities and public school settings in Nigeria’s South-West region. They are still not able to serve the most vulnerable in rural underserved communities who are not able to access the city center location due to lack of infrastructure, family commitments, and economic requirements.

The interactive learning and outreach Impact Pavilion is an extension of the central site reducing inequalities in education and opportunity. An inclusive hub it offers the community at large passive and active educational, cultural, and enterprise opportunities. It is our goal that the Impact Pavilion will be the first SEED certified project in Nigeria. Not only will this serve as a source of pride for MAYEIN and community users it will position both MAYEIN and the pavilion users as innovative community leaders.

The design-build process provides an impactful opportunity for skills acquisition and civic engagement. Users, stakeholders, and community members are engaged in the design and construction phases both virtually and in person. Primary users receive the opportunity to experience the design and construction trades, develop critical thinking, and leadership skills. The community at large will feel empowered through a sense of ownership and identity as agents of decision making, leaders, and builders.

The Impact Pavilion provides the opportunity and space for MAYEIN to scale their impact and fulfill their mission by providing a self contained compact prototype that's easily reproducible and transferable to different communities. It will act as a youth and community hub with dynamic access to learning, enterprise, and cultural opportunities within its immediate neighborhood and wider MAYEIN and national communities.

The structure will be compact and simple to construct. Though there is a high level of detail to meet a variety of functions in the initial design it is also flexible enough to expand and evolve as the community takes ownership and expresses unique assets, wants, and needs. Innovative use of materials may be obtained locally and make use of discarded material reducing cost and environmental stress. The prototype may be replicated within other marginalized communities.

With the opportunity to be the first SEED certified project in Nigeria the Impact Pavilion will demonstrate innovative leadership through social, economic, and environmental design.

We are a collaborative team of friends, colleagues, and founders sharing the core belief and lived experience of education as a catalyst to empower lives and create opportunity. Through each of our businesses we strive to make it possible through education, engagement, and opportunity for others to reach their potential and achieve their personal visions.




Edem is the founder and executive director of MAYEIN (Mentoring Assistance for Youths and Entrepreneurs Initiative ) an educational NGO focusing on implementing a compendium of solid literacy, e-Literacy and Positive Youth Development (PYD) programs reaching over 5000 educationally disadvantaged children and youth across poor communities and public school settings in Nigeria’s South-West region. 




After teaching multidisciplinary design studios in the UK and returning to North Carolina Amanda founded Context Design Studio which exists to provide access to strategic project development and intentional design services to grassroots impact organizations addressing inequities and challenges in her home town. CDS’ practice is grounded in community engagement, participatory design, and the SEED Framework. 




Bassey is an architectural and product designer, and entrepreneur. He leverages this breadth of experience, education, and interests to create a new model for economic development through non-traditional equitable financial structures. He founded the lifestyle brand We Urban with the aim to connect economic opportunity and well-being.

MAYEIN Org
Context Design Studio
We Urban Sport