Our Story
From rural Ondangwa to a full robotics league, it all started with one little idea.
The Story of FLL Namibia
FLL Namibia grew from a collaborative robotics initiative in northern Namibia. In 2024, a research team of undergraduate students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) partnered with Africa Productivity Specialists (APS) to run a week-long, FIRST® LEGO® League–style robotics bootcamp at Chris Junior Private School in Ondangwa.
The bootcamp hosted 24 learners, grades 6-10. Over four days, students completed hands-on robotics and programming challenges, many with little to no prior experience using computers or robotics tools.
Using a self-guided curriculum, students learned algorithms seen in WPI’s sophomore-level courses!
Students showed remarkable growth in problem-solving, collaboration, perseverance, and self-confidence. Many spoke about robotics redefining what they believed they were capable of:
“[This program] made me feel like I was more capable than I thought I was.”
“I want to build robots when I grow up!”
Inspired by the students’ talent and determination, WPI team member Reilly Desai chose to continue the mission by establishing FIRST® LEGO® League Namibia. Today, FLL Namibia is powered by partnerships with:
Africa Productivity Specialists (APS)
Physically Active Youth (PAY), an after-school program in Windhoek that provides academic support, life-skills development, and extracurricular enrichment—including robotics workshops
Genius Robotics, home of the Namibian FIRST Global Team
FIRST South Africa
Together, these partners are bringing world-class robotics education to learners across Namibia—expanding opportunity, building confidence, and proving that innovation belongs to everyone.
“When the robot did the right thing, it filled me with so much pride.”
“Exciting, because... hey, I learned how to program a computer. Not a lot of people can say that.”
