Rethinking Education: Why Muna Kalati is More Than Just an App

Late yesterday afternoon, some of our team members and I visited a few schools to connect with educators and parents about the Muna Kalati app — our Afrocentric digital library built for African children. These sessions are always enlightening, but something unexpected caught my attention at one of the schools.

On their notice board, there it was:

“Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.” — Malcolm Forbes

I stood there for a moment and smiled. That one quote captured everything I believe education should be.

What does it mean to have an open mind?

Too often, education is seen as a process of simply filling a child’s mind with facts and figures. But true learning — transformational learning — opens the mind. It encourages children to ask questions, consider different perspectives, and stay curious. It invites them to challenge assumptions and embrace new ideas.

For instance, what if we questioned the long-held assumption that English is the only “gateway” language to success? What if we dared to imagine a world where African languages are just as valued, celebrated, and even dominant in global spaces?

And what if we embraced the powerful possibility that Africans can educate their children using content created by Africans — for Africans?

This is exactly why Muna Kalati exists.

We’re building more than an app. We’re building a space where

African children can see themselves in the stories they read.

Our diverse cultures, languages, and values are proudly represented.

Local storytellers and educators can share their voices with millions of young readers.

Whether it’s a tale from Ghana, a folktale from Cameroon, or a language lesson in Swahili — every piece of content on Muna Kalati is carefully crafted to affirm identity, spark imagination, and strengthen cultural connection.

Maybe it’s time we take a second look.

The world is changing, and our approach to education must evolve with it. Let’s reconsider what we teach our children, how we teach them, and whose stories we use to shape their minds.

And if what I’ve shared here resonates with you — even a little — I invite you to take the first step with us:

👉🏾 Download the Muna Kalati App

👉🏾 Sign up and explore

👉🏾 Let your child experience the joy of learning in a way that feels like home

We’re open to your feedback, your ideas, and your collaboration. Let’s build a future where African children grow up proud of who they are — and where they come from.

Together, we can redefine what education means for the next generation. 🌍📖