Search Nonprofits

Diapalante believes that in any community, there is the understanding and expertise to identify and solve many local issues. In Senegal and Mauritania, United Nations least developed countries, it is often poverty and its consequences that hold back development. Diapalante's mission is to work with our long-term local partners in Africa to enable them to create projects that bring sustainable, realistic and effective improvement to the lives of their fellow citizens. Since 2005 Diapalante has carried out community-led development projects in Mauritania and Senegal, West Africa. Our role is to listen to our long-term local partners, Diapalante Senegal and Diapalante Mauritanie respectively, then through discussion and research select projects where our objectives, expertise and resources combine with theirs to produce a sustainable positive impact. Diapalante is a partnership - sharing knowledge and expertise. Where we can, in the UK and abroad, we use local volunteers but in Senegal the Diapalante Community Education Centre also employs three staff to enable the programme and a premises to function efficiently. All projects are delivered by our local partners in collaboration with the local community. These partnerships are the core of our work. We have set up a range of projects in Mauritania which now operate independently. These include a workshop and training to enable people with disabilities to earn a living making shoes and clothing, a programme implemented in several towns to address the health needs of children who live by begging on the street, and a cattle vaccination park to improve the sustainability of the livelihoods of nomadic herders. In Senegal we work with our partner Diapalante Senegal, to develop and deliver various educational projects under the umbrella of the Diapalante Community Education Centre which is located in Kaolack, one of Senegal's largest cities. The Diapalante Community Education Centre opened in 2010 as a drop-in Centre offering "Education for All" regardless of age or background. The Centre helps people gain the skills they need to succeed in education, work and life. Open in the mornings then from mid-afternoon though to 9pm the Centre allows people to attend around school, work and family commitments. The UN Human Development Index (2019) shows Senegal's population has an average of only 3.2 years of education and a literacy rate of 52% in adults. Enrolment in primary school has risen to 81% with 40% dropping out before completing primary education and 44% of children going on to enrol in secondary school. After a short initial period the teaching language in school is French (the national language) though this is no-ones mother tongue. This is a barrier to progress particularly for those children whose parents, having little education themselves, do not speak French. Diapalante addresses the great need for education and training opportunities which help children to thrive in school, give basic literacy and numeracy skills to children not in school or give adults the opportunity to gain skills useful in the workplace. The programme at the Diapalante Community Education Centre reflects both the strengths of the staff and volunteer teachers and the needs expressed by the community This year the Centre has 500 beneficiaries of which 250 attend the Centre's regular lessons and activities and an additional 250 children are in "outreach" projects. The Centre premises has a teaching yard, a small classroom, a stockroom, a computer room and a library. It is run by the Centre co-ordinator (Mamadou Kane aka Master P), assisted by two local staff, 2 British gap-year volunteers (not currently available due to COVID) and many local volunteers. The Centre's teaching programme is outlined below: Young Leaders Programme The successful teenage Young Leaders program trains young volunteers to run after-school French learning activities for small groups of primary school children. The Young Leaders grow in confidence as they gain skills in self-organisation, communication and presentation of ideas and management of others in a calm and positive manner while reaching set teaching objectives. Their commitment through the year is acknowledged in a certificate awarded annually, a greatly prized part of their portfolio illustrating to employers their skills and experience of both leadership and teamwork. Learning Boost: French after school activity primary school children Our project addresses the problem that French is the language of teaching in Senegal but not anyone's mother tongue. The lack of French skills is generally most marked in children whose parents have least education and so are less able to help their children gain the skills needed to succeed in school. This after-school project is attended by 160 primary school children. Our teenage Young Leaders each encourage a small group of children to practice their French skills while completing a variety of games, reading and craft activities. Analysis of school exam performance showed the 150 children who attended the pilot year of this after-school activity showed a significantly improved overall performance in their end of year exams by comparison with their peer group. Literacy for street children (talibes) A proportion of the children who do not enrol in primary school are talibes. These are boys who study the Koran and reside in koranic schools known as daaras. We have encountered starkly different attitudes and styles of running daaras which range from children living in the most deprived of conditions, who beg for their food and have little or no family contact, widely condemned as modern slavery, through to the modern daaras which offer education comparable with private boarding schools. This pilot programme gives talibes basic skills which help them towards a sustainable future. Sixty talibes learn to read and write in their mother tongue. They also become competent in the basics of maths and occasionally do STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, maths) activities. English With a Centre co-ordinator who is fluent in English and 2 British volunteers our project is well placed to teach English. English language skills are useful for local jobs, West African trade and international trade. English lessons are popular with adults and schoolchildren. Computer literacy Being able to use a computer is a valuable skill in the search for office work in Senegal today. This learning is available to those in the best private schools. The computer skills programme at Diapalante redresses this, giving our members the skills to take jobs where computers are used. The course follows the French curriculum for computer literacy (Brevet) and ability is assessed online. Success gives a certificate of achievement. Library We have a small library at the Diapalante Centre and this has an important role in introducing the value of books as both a learning resource and a leisure resource. Textbooks are generally shared and well-worn and book ownership is not commonplace so we are slowly building up a reference section of good copies. Other activities There are other activities and subjects which are offered by volunteers on a short or long-term basis including maths, French grammar, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and maths), preparation for work, environmental issues, citizenship. The Centre passes surplus donated computer stock to the education authority in Kaolack. We plan to expand the Centre's outreach and activities as opportunities permit. The Diapalante Community Education Centre: Possible future plans include: 1. Ensure funding of the current projects 2. Programme for women and girls a. Explore options and need to teach reproductive health and family planning b. Research period poverty - is there a serious problem? c. Trial the acceptability of re-usable menstrual pads. d. Enterprise training: creating re-usable menstrual pads 3. A more appropriate building for the Centre The current ground floor apartment has served the Centre well but is now limiting its activities and outreach. We also work with The Hillcrest Advisory Bureau and Bursary Fund in South Africa who support the underpriviledged community within the Valley of 1000 Hills near Hillcrest in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa by providing advice and access to education. We work together to develop their support of educational access to university and vocational courses. The in-country funding of this part of their programme was particularly hit by the financial effects of COVID19 so this year we have been involved in fundraising to sustain this work through the pandemic.

The Youth Sport Trust is an independent charity devoted to building a brighter future for young people. We are passionate about helping all young people achieve their full potential by delivering high quality physical education (PE) and sport opportunities. Through 20 years of experience, we have developed a unique way of maximising the power of sport to grow young people, schools and communities. We believe in the power of sport to change young people's lives for the better. Our programmes focus on using sport as a vehicle to improve young people's: Wellbeing: Our work develops children's fundamental movement skills, equipping them with the confidence, competence and enjoyment of sport needed for a lifetime of activity, as well as good physical and emotional health. Leadership: Our work supports the personal development of young people and their progress at school, as well as preparing them for the challenges of life ahead. We support young people to develop a range of positive character qualities, such as: creativity, aspiration, resilience and empathy. Achievement: PE and sport delivered well is proven to impact positively on attainment and academic achievement. It can engage young people in learning and support the development of skills needed for success in the classroom, including: communication, teamwork and self-management.

The mission of ARTS is to empower communities without access to dental professionals to achieve and maintain a higher level of oral health by providing hygiene education, direct treatment, and dental supplies. Now, with nine trips, 3,000 patients, and 30 educated communities under its belt, ARTS has set its sights on increasing the impact of its work by increasing the budget, the number of volunteers, and the frequency of trips. ARTS recently set a vision for a world in which all people have reliable access to the treatment, knowledge, and supplies required to maintain dental health.

Ashinaga is a Japanese foundation headquartered in Tokyo. We provide financial support and emotional care to young people around the world who have lost either one or both parents. With a history of more than 55 years, our support has enabled more than 110,000 orphaned students to gain access to higher education. From 2001, we expanded our activities internationally, with our first office abroad in Uganda. Since then, we have established new offices in Senegal, the US, Brazil, the UK, and France to support the Ashinaga Africa Initiative. The Ashinaga movement began after President and Founder, Yoshiomi Tamai's mother was hit by a car in 1963, putting her in a coma, and she passed away soon after. Tamai and a group of likeminded individuals went on to found the Association for Traffic Accident Orphans in 1967. Through public advocacy, regular media coverage and the development of a street fundraising system, the association was able to set in motion significant improvements in national traffic regulations, as well as support for students bereaved by car accidents across Japan. Over time, the Ashinaga movement extended its financial and emotional support to students who had lost their parents by other causes, including illness, natural disaster, and suicide. The Ashinaga-san system, which involved anonymous donations began in 1979. This was inspired by the Japanese translation of the 1912 Jean Webster novel Daddy-Long-Legs. In 1993, Ashinaga was expanded to include offering residential facilities to enable financially disadvantaged students to attend universities in the more expensive metropolitan areas. Around this time Ashinaga also expanded its summer programs, or tsudoi, at which Ashinaga students could share their experiences amongst peers who had also lost parents. The 1995 Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake struck the Kobe area with a magnitude of 6.9, taking the lives of over 6,400 people and leaving approximately 650 children without parents. Aided by financial support from both Japan and abroad, Ashinaga established its first ever Rainbow House, a care facility for children to alleviate the resultant trauma. March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck the northeastern coast of Japan, causing a major tsunami, vast damage to the Tohoku region, and nearly 16,000 deaths. Thousands of children lost their parents as a result. Ashinaga responded immediately, establishing a regional office to aid those students who had lost parents in the catastrophe. With the assistance of donors from across the world, Ashinaga provided emergency grants of over $25,000 each to over 2,000 orphaned students, giving them immediate financial stability in the wake of their loss. Ashinaga also built Rainbow Houses in the hard-hit communities of Sendai City, Rikuzentakata, and Ishinomaki, providing ongoing support to heal the trauma inflicted by the disaster. Over the past 55 years Ashinaga has raised over $1 billion (USD) to enable about 110,000 orphaned students to access higher education in Japan.

Foster the progress of communities through positive business action.

Zahana in Madagascar is dedicated to participatory rural development, education, revitalization of traditional Malagasy medicine, reforestation, and sustainable agriculture. It is Zahana's philosophy that participatory development must be based on local needs and solutions proposed by local people. It means asking communities what they need and working with them collaboratively so they can achieve their goals. Each community's own needs are unique and require a tailor -made response

Protection and promotion of health and life; social inclusion; Prevention and emergency response; Promotion of International Humanitarian Law and International Cooperation; Youth development and culture of active citizenship.

Transparency International (TI) is an unincorporated, international coalition, which has the objective to stop corruption and promote transparency, accountability and integrity at all levels and across all sectors of society.

HI is an independent and impartial aid organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. We work alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, taking action and bearing witness in order to respond to their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.

.

to mobilise its members to reintroduce sustainable Sport for All and physical activity practices into everyday lives, using the Designed to Move physical activity platform.

To advance a just and inclusive approach to climate change by developing and promoting "pro-poor" and equity-based positions relevant to Africa in global climate dialogue.