Education
Investing in education is a cornerstone of our approach and is critical in allowing us to support the future of the communities we serve. Through our field work, we've developed deep relationships with communities, students and teachers, and we love seeing their progress through regular zoom calls and in-person visits. Our local education work includes supporting the Shine Kibera school in Kibera, Kenya and the Peace Perfect School in New Akrade, Ghana, as well as underwriting scholarships for students who's wish to pursue education is hampered by financial strain or home obligations.
Community Development
It is our core believe that investing in community development is an indispensable part of allowing local residents to lead self-sufficiently and with dignity. We hope that by providing assistance and training, we can provide a path that respects individual cultures while building crucial skills, knowledge and motivation. Our work has included building libraries and daycare centers, supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs, and providing employment opportunities to local populations. The City Chic Kriations Bead Shop in New Akrade, Ghana is a shining example of these efforts. It has resulted not only in employment opportunities for local women, but has also been fertile proving ground for our future community development plans.
Vocational Training
Inspired by our global travels, we have grown an unending appreciation for the tradition of creating handcrafted goods that tell deep and personal stories. As time marches on, however, many young people are losing interest in the unique handmade traditions of their communities due to declining demand. We have found that by investing in the teaching and sharing of these vital traditions, we not only create beautiful work that redefines luxury on a global scale, but we also support these challenged communities and imperiled handicrafts. In our Ghana bead shop, for example, we teach community members about glass bead making, sewing, and the creation of handbags and jewelry.
Some of our success Stories:
Peace Perfect School | New Akrade, Ghana
Opportunity
Poorly executed NGO efforts had destroyed the dignity of the people in New Akrade and eroded their trust for outsiders. I left my first visit there compelled to start my own nonprofit and do things differently.
There was a demonstrable need for education, both to give children a way up and to provide exponential employment and vocational training opportunities for adults. By partnering with Wilhelmina, who had a small school but barely a building to speak of, our three primary opportunities were to:
Invest in education in this rural area
Enable Wilhelmina to run a self-sustaining, female-run business
Employ local labor while training those locals in the construction trade
Milestones
Secured the school location
Engaged local contractors and creating a construction training program
Organized community effort to building the school
In keeping with our goal for long-term, continuous impact, we are currently working on a sustainability effort for staffing and paying teachers, and we speak regularly about future plans for the community.
Benefits
Increased attendance through the addition of a school building which allows children to go to school in the rain. Prior to the building, students could not attend school for approximately 30 percent of the year due to weather.
Increased total enrollment 5 percent in first year.
By improving consistency in both attendance and enrollment, more mothers were able to work.
Dignity and connection built through friendships with children abroad, including Sacred Heart Catholic School students and Mission & Movement Ambassadors.
Vocational Training | New Akrade, Ghana
Opportunity
Inspired by our global travels over the last decade, we have gained a deep appreciation for the tradition of handmade goods. Unfortunately, over time, younger generations began to lose interest in the handicrafts of their communities. As the practices were handed down generation-to-generation less often, skills were lost, and communities became less able to capitalize on the value of the products. The opportunity to provide consistent vocational training was apparent and combines the potential for local employment and revenue with the need for ongoing education in these trades.
Milestones
Opened City Chik Kriations bead shop where community members sell products and teach others about sewing and making glass beads, handbags and jewelry.
Sponsored program in nursing education.
Underscoring our belief in ongoing support that pivots as communities evolve, new programs for the shop now being finalized and will roll out in 2018.
Benefits
Created part-time employment for four artisans at City Chik Kriations, and the store has generated sustainable monthly income. We're beginning to see the initial stages of tourism and local recognition.
Hosted vocational training sessions in handbag design for community.
The local community trained alongside contractors/builders which generated consistent income during the store's development.
The global connections formed during our involvement have led to teachers collaborating on best practices, business processes and design pattern creation.
Kente design artisan brought into community.
Shine Kibera | Kibera, Kenya
Opportunity
In Kibera, one of the largest slums in Kenya, the Shine Kibera school had a structure, but struggled to generate consistent adequate funding. Mission & Movement tapped into the passion and values of several of our donors and participants to ensure the school was supported.
Milestones
Supplied students with back packs and school supplies provided through T. Rowe Price's corporate responsibility efforts.
Created connectivity between the school and the global community, particularly with Sacred Heart Catholic School in Palm Springs, California, which participated in pen pal and scholarship programs.
Sponsored more than two years' of the schools rent through donor contributions to Mission & Movement's 501(c)(3)
Benefits
Dedication and consistency has led to improved student scores on governmental exams.
Providing sponsorship for the school's rent has allowed children and teachers to get proper meals.
Two students received scholarships for further education.
Global connections with companies and schools have allowed students insight and inspiration through relationships developed via the T. Rowe Price and Sacred Heart Catholic School programs.
