Helping children carry their education forward

The Problem

Across Rural communities in Nigeria, some children attend public primary schools without a proper school bag. Books may be carried in nylon bags, old shopping bags or by hand. For a child, this creates a simple but very real problem: books can become damaged, difficult to carry and poorly organized while the cost of purchasing a school bag can represent another burden for a low-income household.

The Public Good

The Lil Nouns School Bag Initiative will provide 200 durable, purpose-designed school bags at no cost to selected children attending underserved public primary schools in Ogun and Abeokuta

The pilot will focus on children who genuinely need the intervention rather than distributing bags indiscriminately.

Who Benefits ?

Direct beneficiaries:

• 200 children
• Public primary and Secondary schools

Indirect beneficiaries:

• Teachers and schools
• Parents and caregivers
• Local communities

For Lil Nouns, this creates a tangible example of how a digital community can fund real-world public goods.

Why Now?

Education challenges in Nigeria are not limited to school enrollment. Children also need the basic materials that allow them to participate comfortably and consistently in school.

This project deliberately targets one small problem that we can realistically solve.

We cannot fix the entire education system with 200 bags. But we can make sure 200 children don't have to carry their school books in nylon bags.

The Reality Behind the Bag

Imagine a child leaving home for school.

It is early in the morning. She has her books ready for class, but there is no proper school bag at home. She puts her books into a nylon bag and starts the journey to school.

The books are difficult to organize and carry. If the nylon tears or rain catches her on the way, the materials she needs for learning are exposed. At school, she sees other children with proper backpacks.

Nothing about her ability to learn is different. What is different is the resources available to her family.

This is the kind of small, everyday barrier that the Lil Nouns School Bag Initiative is designed to address.

A real Nigerian example

In 2024, UNICEF documented the story of eight-year-old Faridah in Hong, Adamawa State, who received a school bag and learning materials. Her father said that after receiving the bag, she began waking earlier and became excited about going to school. UNICEF also reported that the materials reduced the financial burden on her family. (UNICEF)

Read UNICEF's full story: “A Treasured Bag in a Box”

There is an even more direct example.

In 2022, UNICEF reported the story of Isa Isubu, a student in Buni Yadi, northeast Nigeria, who had a physical disability and had never owned a school bag. He had only one book, which could become torn or lost. After receiving a school bag and learning materials, he explained that the bag would help him keep his books safe and clean. (UNICEF)

Read UNICEF's full story: “A school bag for Isa's dreams”

Another UNICEF account from Monguno describes children from vulnerable families receiving school bags and learning materials. One child explained that before receiving these supplies, staying in school was difficult; afterwards, having the materials they needed made it easier to remain in class. (UNICEF)

Read UNICEF's full story: “Keeping Falmata in school”

Delivery Plan

A. School & Community Identification

We will identify public schools in ogun and Abeokuta

Potential schools will be assessed based on:

• Community socioeconomic needs
• Number of pupils
• Number of pupils without proper school bags
• Number using nylon/unsuitable materials
• School accessibility
• Cooperation of school leadership
• Ability to verify beneficiaries

We will work with relevant school/community representatives during selection.

B. Beneficiary Assessment

Before distribution, each selected school will provide an estimated number of children requiring support.

Priority will be given to children who:

• Have no school bag
• Use nylon or unsuitable bags
• Have severely damaged bags
• Are identified by teachers/community representatives as needing assistance

The goal is needs-based distribution, not simply equal distribution.

The Bag

The bag will intentionally use a simple, affordable design.

Proposed specification

Colour: Black , white and Green

Material: 600D polyester or equivalent durable material

Main compartment: Books-focused storage

Front: Lil Nouns branding + official Noggles treatment

Back: Plain black

Straps: Padded and adjustable

Side: Subtle woven Lil Nouns/Noggles branding

Zipper: Simple zipper

The design avoids unnecessary pockets, accessories and expensive manufacturing techniques.

Why?

Because:

Every unnecessary $1 spent on decoration is $1 that could potentially help another child.

The objective is to create something recognizable, durable and affordable.

Manufacturing

The process will be:

Step 1 — Final Design

Finalize dimensions, materials, branding and official Noggles artwork.

Step 2 — Prototype

Produce a sample bag.

Step 3 — Quality Check

Check:

• Stitching
• Zippers
• Handles
• Shoulder straps
• Material strength
• Printing/embroidery
• Overall dimensions

Step 4 — Production

Manufacture the agreed quantity.

Step 5 — Final Inspection

Inspect the finished bags before distribution.

Step 6 — Transportation

Move the bags from the manufacturer to the selected schools.

Step 7 — Distribution

Distribute directly through participating schools.

Community Participation

Teachers and school representatives can assist with:

• Identifying children
• Verifying beneficiary lists
• Coordinating distribution
• Collecting feedback
• Monitoring continued use

Parents/caregivers can provide feedback on the usefulness and durability of the bags.

Maintenance

Because this is primarily a one-time physical-goods intervention

One-time costs

• Bag manufacturing
• Branding
• Prototype
• Quality inspection
• Transportation
• Distribution
• Documentation

Budget

• 200 high-quality custom school bags: $15* 200 = $3,000
• Transportation & distribution: $150
• Documentation : $200
• Contingency: $50
• One Lil Nouns NFT for houseofdrey

Total: $3,400

Timeline

Phase 1 — Planning & School Selection

Weeks 1–2

• Identify candidate schools
• Contact school authorities
• Conduct needs assessment
• Confirm beneficiaries

Phase 2 — Design & Prototype

Weeks 2–3

• Finalize bag specifications
• Confirm official Noggles artwork
• Produce prototype
• Approve sample

Phase 3 — Manufacturing

Weeks 3–6

• Produce 200 bags
• Quality control
• Packaging

Phase 4 — Distribution

Weeks 7–8

• Transport bags
• Verify beneficiary lists
• Distribution events
• Documentation

Phase 5 — Follow-Up

Weeks 9–10

• Teacher feedback
• Child feedback
• Bag-use assessment
• Impact report

9. Measuring Impact

We won't only report:

200 bags distributed.

We'll report:

Before

X children had no adequate school bag.

X children used nylon/unsuitable bags.

X schools assessed.

After

200 children received bags.

100% of distributed bags accounted for.

Schools reached.

Beneficiary feedback collected.

Teacher feedback collected.

Photographic/documentary evidence collected with appropriate consent.

11. Risk Management

Risk: Bags cost more than expected

Mitigation: Obtain multiple manufacturer quotations and prioritize bulk production.

Risk: Wrong beneficiaries

Mitigation: School-assisted needs assessment and beneficiary verification.

Risk: Poor-quality bags

Mitigation: Prototype + quality inspection before full production.

Risk: Distribution leakage

Mitigation: Distribution register and documentation.

Risk: Child privacy concerns

Mitigation: Appropriate consent and safeguarding procedures.

Who is behind this ? Houseofdrey has been a prominent member 0f Nouns DAO, foodnouns , Lilnouns, Founding member of Internationouns , Nouns DAO Africa , Flows and Vrbs since the year 2022 - till date. he is a holder of foodnouns , Nouns DAO africa and Gnars.

Previous work done by Houseofdrey

Prop 257

Prop 240

Other Nounish Activities done by Houseofdrey

• Fed more than 1500 less priviledge , Orphans , elderyones , orphans and children through FOODNOUNS DAO , VRBS, FLOWS . since 2022 - till date.

• He has done more than 42 solar street light for his local community which was sponsored by /Noc , lilnouns and vrbs

• Borehole water system with solar pump for Orudu community which was sponsored by lilnouns

Thank you for reviewing our proposal. We sincerely appreciate your positive consideration in supporting the proliferation of Lil Nouns across Africa.