Ishango began with a simple desire: to provide youth with educational tools and skills to imagine, design, and build a future of their own making.

In 2016, we took LEGO Robotics kits, K’Nex sticks, KEVA planks, and Maker materials into classrooms and communities across Lomé, Togo. We regularly saw something inspiring — the spark that appears when a child creates something they love, the amazement in their eyes, a sense of accomplishment, and pride. Not from following written instructions, but inventing, experimenting, and realizing what they can do from within.

KEVA-planks-spark That spark drives our mission to infuse local cultural knowledge, indigenous technologies, mathematical traditions, and community practices into modern STEM teaching.

In 2017, Ishango became a recognized NGO in Togo, and we hosted Francophone Africa’s first Lomé Maker Faire, a two-day celebration of creativity and innovation for youth and adults. At the 2018 Lomé Maker Faire, young STEMpreneurs designed and sold their own handmade products, stepping proudly into entrepreneurship. Each event made one thing clear: the talent was already there. Young people only needed space, encouragement, and opportunity. In 2025, we became a registered US 501(c)(3) public charity — expanding our capacity to support youth and grow the movement.

Why the name “Ishango”?
We chose the name Ishango because it’s inspiring. The 20,000-year-old ancient Ishango Bone, discovered in 1950 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is one of the oldest mathematical artifacts in the world, often considered the first computing device and calendar. Carved with prime numbers and topped with a quartz crystal, it represents curiosity, creativity, and brilliance. We want young people to know that they are a part of a long history of mathematicians. Today, we use the spirit of discovery to help youth think, design, and build their way into brighter futures.

Ishango Today
Ishango provides hands-on, culturally grounded learning through:

STEM & Maker Education - Students learn to build with purpose — using robotics, circuits, engineering tools, and everyday materials to turn ideas into real creations.
Ethno-STEM & Indigenous Knowledge - We infuse local cultural knowledge, African technologies, and mathematical traditions into modern STEM teaching so learning feels familiar, relevant, and empowering.
Girls’ Innovation & Technovation - Girls develop apps, design solutions, and lead projects that address community challenges.
Financial Literacy & Youth Entrepreneurship - Youth learn to think like creators and micro-entrepreneurs.
Workforce Development “Genies” - We train local young adults as Genies (instructors, mentors, facilitators) so the work is community-owned and youth-led.
The Ishango Community Learning Space - An inspiring home located in central Lomé for all our programs — where youth build, explore, and grow.

Ishango is a human capital development pipeline grounded in culture, creativity, and possibility.

Be a part of the Ishango story!
Ishango is cultivating the next generation of African innovators, builders, and creators. This Giving Tuesday, if our vision resonates with you, we welcome your support. Your donation will help us expand services for young innovators growing in Togo's classrooms, neighborhoods, and markets. With you, we can keep building futures — one child, one spark, one maker at a time.

Ishango
www.ishango.org

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