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DAC's Mission is to: protect children that have been abused and abandoned by their family; provide quality education to the needy, and take care of poor elderly women. Our Foundation has built and supports: Hogar San Jose: 35 girls between 4 and 17 live permanently at the home. They have been taken away from their families by a judge because they were victims of sexual abuse, abandonment of violence. We are their "Home away from home". A team of 20 care takers, 2 psychologists , 1 social worker, and 1 teacher assists them every day. More than 30 volunteers help them in their daily choresand with their school work and transportation. We all aim to help them recover their self esteem Hogar Santa Ana: 51 elderly ladies, mostly without family, live in our home. They each have a private bedroom, there is one bathroom every 4 bedrooms, and we provide them with breakfast, lunch and dinner. They only pay a symbolic amount. They can get involved in any of the workshops that take place at the home, such as choir, history, literature etc. Our Schools: We have 6 schools with more that 2400 pupils that can have access to bilingual quality education, with extended care so that the parents can drop them off prior to going to work and pick them up when they finish. We feed them, and educate them, completing the official curricula as well as 2nd language (english), sports, computer science. Two of the schools have an integration program and 20 % of their students are special needs students.

Mavi Kalem was formed at the aftermath of the 1999 earthquake, and founded in 2000, to respond the needs of the earthquake affected and migrated communities in particular of the disadvantageous groups of women and children in health and education. Since then, it has been implementing projects mainly assisting women and children since its establishment. Projects involving the empowerment, skill development, health services and information sharing have been implemented throughout 2000-2002 in Düzce area, mainly assisting women and children after the earthquake. Since 2002, Mavi Kalem has been implementing projects and activities concerning; educational support, awareness raising on health standards, awareness raising on domestic violence, psychological support, consultancy on health and legal issues for both local and migrated women and children in Fener/ Balat district in Fatih, Istanbul, addressing the needs of children, women and girls of the local community migrated from all regions of Turkey and since 2014 the Syrian children and women in Fener-Balat were included in its beneficiary group. Activities such as Turkish language courses, socialization activities with local population, help in admissions to schools and other official and administrative actions, and psychological support were provided to Syrian children and women. Mavi Kalem has worked toward the Syrian refugee influx related issues since 2011, by conducting needs assessments and gap analysis in Hatay, Gaziantep and Sanliurfa without-camp populations. Also on the national and international level; women' rights and health rights, children's rights, wide spreading of minimum standards in humanitarian aid, youth exchange programs are included in Mavi Kalem's actions. Dissemination and advocacy for humanitarian assistance standards and principles in disasters, emergencies and migration situations is one of Mavi Kalem's work areas. Since 2001 it has been part of Sphere Project, since 2009 INEE Workgroups and for 2 years now part of CHS Alliance. MAVİ KALEM has held the adaptation of Sphere handbook in Turkish successfully and been in cooperation with Ministry of Health, TRC, municipality health departments for its wide spreading, and implementing training programs. Similarly INEE and CHS basic humanitarian aid principal books have been adapted to Turkish and disseminated at national level by Mavi Kalem. It is one of the founding members of SITAP (Civil Society Disaster Platform, national). Mavi Kalem has organized Women in Disasters and Emergencies Workshop hosting women experts, academics, experienced NGO field workers from humanitarian organizations, NGOs, and women right based organizations in 2016. Gender specific issues, needs, and rights in emergency settings were discussed; field experiences and suggestions for improvement were exchanged toward strengthening and mainstreaming the gender perspective in disaster and emergency response. Mavi Kalem, has also delivered its services and expertise to disaster and emergency or poverty affected locations other than its primary implementation area through partnership with other local organizations, in other districts of Istanbul and other provinces such as during the Van earthquake response. Overall organizational strength and capacity lies within the Mavi Kalem's 17 years of implementation experience with focus on public health and education, disaster, emergency and migration specialization, advocacy of women and girls health rights, mainstreaming gender equality perspective in its implementation, developing and designing projects and programs based on the needs and participation and feedback mechanisms of its beneficiaries, volunteers, and supporters, measuring quality and monitoring and evaluation of impact in action rather than quantity focus, integrity and commitment of Mavi Kalem, at all levels to organization's policies in regards to work ethics, preceding women and girls, and children protection, non-discriminatory approach, preservation of confidentiality and respect for dignity, transparency and accountability, anti-fraud and corruption. Since its foundation Mavi Kalem has been working with international donors and experienced in project budget management, and reporting accordingly. Mavi Kalem's administrative and financial system and its management are executed as per Turkey's finance law and associations' law and regulations. Grant agreements, contracts and partnership agreements are also reflected in its implementation and management. Annually Mavi Kalem goes through financial and administrative auditing of relevant governmental body and also independent financial auditing. Mavi Kalem prioritizes gender equality in the implementation and decision making steps of projects and decides and acts with accountability, transparency, participation and approaches differences equal as principal. Mavi Kalem, being a non-profit civil society organization for which 97% of employees are women, applies positive discrimination to women when recruiting, selecting and determining beneficiaries and target groups to promote gender equality. To eliminate social discrimination during stages of project content, project design and project implementation, working with women is prioritized in determination of the project team and selection of financial experts procured from the affiliated participant organization. In addition to being sensitive to gender discrimination in works and studies, Mavi Kalem acts responsibly and is in favor of vulnerable groups avoiding discirimination based on ethnicity, political views, religious beliefs, sexual identity and race in terms of target groups, beneficiaries and employees. Mavi Kalem does not define itself in politic, religious or ethnical personalities. Freedom, human rights, democratic rights, health rights, public gender equality, women rights, LGBT rights, children's rights and prevention of discrimination are supported. www.mavikalem.org ) In addition to all, Mavi Kalem has started a process of institutionalization at 2015 to improve on its experience in project development and implementation it has built last 18 years and aims to develop and improve its policies based on its long experience.

Fundacion Nativo is a non-profit organization, located in Caracas (Venezuela), which is dedicated to the socioeconomic and sustainable development of indigenous communities, without having to damage their environment or abandon their cultural or religious beliefs. Always favoring gender equality and integration of different sexual options. Vision: A world in which there is no inequality between the indigenous population and the rest of society. Where the native population is not considered as animals, pets or the disposable object of the fashion of the moment. Mission: Empower indigenous communities by promoting the conservation of their culture, defending the right to land and the preservation of their natural resources, promoting sustainable economic development in gender equality and sexual orientation, favoring access to communication channels to leave the information isolation and giving them a voice before the institutions to demand their rights and denounce the abuses to which they are subjects of. Our history: In 2014, investigating for a documentary, we made a stop in the mining area of Las Claritas. There we went to a brothel where a bingo was being held. The place was full of miners attentive to the draw, something that surprised us because bingo always seemed an activity for older people ... Until we saw the prize ... depending on the sexual orientation of the miner, the prize was a child or Indigenous girl no older than 10 years old, who waited to meet the owner of their destination inside a hole dug in the floor of the premises. When you see something like this with your own eyes, it is impossible to remain indifferent to the problem. We realized that, in this market of basic instincts, we could do little to diminish the demand (the illegal miners come from many countries and for them the Indians are less than animals), but we could have some possibility of diminishing the offer if we helped the development of indigenous communities. And that's how the Fundacion Nativa was born.

Who We Are: The need for a grassroots organization that would galvanize communities across Africa to positively contribute towards sustainable management of natural resources was an idea born out of a discussion by a group of environment and natural resource management practitioners gathered in Arusha Tanzania in 2010. The idea was subsequently shared with other like-minded individuals and culminated in the formation and subsequent registration of Africa Nature Organization as Non-Governmental Organization on the World Wetlands Day 2nd February 2012 in Kenya. Our focus has been to promote sustainable environmental and natural resource management best practices among grassroots communities working closely with civil society organizations, private sector actors and Government. Our Vision: A well-managed environment and natural resource base benefiting People and Wildlife. Our Mission: To enhance sustainable management of environment and natural resources by empowering grassroots communities, supporting development of effective natural resource management instruments, promotion of green innovations and the advancement of wise-use practices. Programmes: Our work is organized around three themes. These are conservation, people's organizations and livelihoods. 1. Environmental Education and Awareness Sustained environmental education and awareness campaigns have been known to change the behavior and attitudes of stakeholders towards environment and natural resources. Africa Nature Organization environmental education and awareness campaigns target both the young and the old through targeted campaigns such as the Young People4Nature Initiative, environmental demonstrations, environmental days, cross-site visits, workshops and seminars are some of the activities in this category. 2. Conservation of Species and Habitats With the threat of species extinction and habitat loss aggravated by climate change, Africa Nature Organization has taken a special interest in the conservation of species and habitats through rehabilitation, restoration and protection. Afforestation on terrestrial areas, coral transplant in marine ecosystems, dyke construction, development of management plans, support for community guards to protect and monitor species and habitats are some of the activities undertaken to reduce species and habitat loss. 3. Enterprise-led Conservation (ECO) Communities for ages have depended on natural resources for their livelihoods. However, with dwindling natural resource base due to extraction of natural resources for commercial purposes, population increase and climate changes, communities have trapped in a vicious cycle of destroying environment and natural resources for survival. To stem this downward spiral, Africa Nature Organization works with grassroots communities to empower them with business skills and knowledge to initiate nature-friendly enterprises and link them with markets. 4. Research and Innovation for Conservation (RI-Conserve): Relevant information to undertake important decisions regarding natural resources has been an impediment to sustainable management of environment and natural resources. This has been more profound with grassroots communities and organizations, including government, working to empower them to sustainably manage environment and natural resources. To bridge the information gap, Africa Nature Organization undertakes research and develops innovative ways of overcoming environmental challenges facing communities, civil society organizations, private organizations and governments. Baseline surveys, environmental impact assessments, documentation of indigenous knowledge on biological resources, and innovative mobile technology for conservation are some of the activities undertaken in this category. 5. Conservation Communication (COCO): Communicating conservation information to relevant stakeholders is key in to their engagement and involvement in our conservation effort. Conservation Communication maintains stakeholder interest through: Newsletter, Development and distribution of environmental documentaries, Production of other education, information and communication materials.

The Ombetja Yehinga Organisation(OYO) is a Namibian Trust (T109/09) that uses the Arts to create social awareness. All our projects have an Art component (dance, drama, films, publications), all address a social issue (including HIV, teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence, anti-bullying). Most of our projects are in school but we also work with offenders in correctional facilities. OYO believes that children and teenagers need to be reached more than once (to reinforce messages), using exciting mediums (to stimulate their attention) with simple, yet strong messages (to impact on their attitudes and behaviours). OYO suggests interventions to start a dialogue with the schools (whereby schools are recipient of an activity), followed by interventions at school level (under the form of a campaign where schools have to take a stand and become actively involved in the process). OYO believes that children and teenagers have the answer. All we need is to unlock their creativity. Among others, OYO has: Created the OYO dance troupe. This is the first and currently only troupe in Namibia employing dancers as performers. The troupe has reached over 200,000 children in schools so far, performing a vast repertoire. Produced various DVDs. Most DVDs are used in schools during evening sessions with learners, triggering discussion and challenging norms. 'Salute' is the first DVD produced in Namibian Correctional Facilities with inmates, telling their stories. Other DVDs include 'Kukuri' on child marriage, 'pap and milk' on sugar daddies (inter-generational sex) and the mini-series 'my best interest' on children's rights. OYO has worked with numerous out-of-school youth groups in many parts of the country, produced various drama and photographic exhibititons (including 'the caring Namibian man' and 'still life') and supported various school clubs and girls' camps. OYO uses the Arts because the Arts don't appeal to your intellect but to your feelings. It makes you feel and once you feel, you start reflecting. Programs appealing to your intellect provide you with knowledge, but the Arts, appealing to your feelings, impact your choices and subsequently influence your attitude and behavior. Some of our projects include: The San matter project: The rationale for San Matter Phase I was that only 67 percent of San children in the country enroll in school. And only 1 percent of those children complete secondary school. (OSISA Group report "Rethinking Indigenous Education,"). One of the reasons for the high drop out of San children from the education sector is linked to cultural bullying in schools. Since 2016 OYO implements an anti-cultural bullying project in twenty four schools across two regions of Namibia. Activities include intervention by the OYO dance troupe, training of the local out-of-school youth group, implementation of San girls camps, organisation of the San School friendly competition once every second year. Over 88% of the San children involved in the project have re-enrolled in schools in 2019. The growing strong in the Karas region: Since 2006, OYO has been supporting various youth groups, training them in the arts of drama, dance and songs and creating shows of social significance with them. In 2008, OYO established its OYO dance troupe. OYO is now developing packages involving both the dance troupe and youth groups working on the same issue from two different angles and visiting the same schools to reinforce messages. The 'In and out' project: this is project to work with inmates (called offenders in Namibia) in correctional facilities on issues around HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health. In a country where sodomy is still criminalised, offenders do not have access to condoms. Together with offenders OYO works towards addressing their needs, wants and fears and encourages them to know their status. Over 600 inmates have been tested as part of the project. "OYO's application of the performing and visual arts in a highly participatory and learner centred pedagogy represents a model of excellence and best practice." Hon. Nangola Mbumba MP, then Minister for Education, September 2009 (now Vice President of the Republic of Namibia)

Karuna Deutschland is committed towards ending caste-based discrimination, dedicating efforts for poverty-alleviation, and ensuring equality in India and Nepal. Our mission is to serve individuals and families of the poorest communities in India and Nepal. The women and children as well as people from lower cast backgrounds come under the most vulnerable population in India and Nepal. The former "untouchable" castes are still suffering from social exclusion and violence and also form the largest chunk of 'ultra-poor' in these countries. It is extremely difficult for them to access healthcare, education, housing and a dignified livelihood. Dalit women and girls particularly are subjected to gender-based violence and exclusion. Although caste-based discrimination has no legal premises, the stigma attached to the lower castes in India and Nepal hinder their dignified participation in all spheres of life. They are pushed further behind by a variety of forces such as existing discrimination, inequality, poverty, illiteracy etc. Therefore, we endeavour to remove the root causes of discrimination, exclusion and poverty. We seek to run our projects and activities based on the principle of inclusion, justice, diversity and equality in order to drive a positive as well as holistic change at the community level. The foundation of our work lies in engendering a dignified life for the people; helping them build a better future for themselves as well as empowering them to take their destiny into their own hands. To elicit lasting solutions to the problems we intend to address, our approach is based upon self-help, self-determination and self-reliance at the community level. The principle of 'leaving no one behind' as mentioned in the Sustainable development goals is enshrined in our core values. Changes often happen at the local level. Creative and innovative solutions are pertinent to reach our goals. Our activities are thus built upon a wealth of local skills and knowledge. We seek to understand the vulnerabilities, strengths and needs of our target groups. Evidence based approach rooted in in-depth analysis, research of ground needs and realities is extremely important for us to promote accountability and responsibility. The four pillars of Karuna Deutschland's work are made of Education, Health, Dignified Livelihoods and Gender Equality. These four pillars are the key focus areas of the work carried out by Karuna Deutschland in India and Nepal. More information about Karuna Deutschland's activities can be found on our website.

Breakthrough is a unique global human rights organization and a recognized pioneer of innovative social change. Working out of centers in the U.S. and India, we create game-changing pop culture and multimedia campaigns - including video games and music videos - that bring human rights issues and values into the mainstream, making them real, relevant, and urgent to individuals and communities worldwide. Our in-depth trainings with young people, government officials, and community groups have ignited new generations of leaders to act for local and global human rights. Our most internationally-lauded program to date, Bell Bajao ("Ring the Bell"), calls on men worldwide to take concrete action to challenge violence against women and challenges them to take a stand against domestic violence. Together with emerging campaigns challenging early marriage and gender biased sex-selective elimination, our current initiatives seek to build a culture in which women's human rights thrive, enabling us all to be safe in our homes and limitless in our ambitions. Vision: A world where violence and discrimination against women and girls is unacceptable. Where all individuals and communities live with dignity, equality and justice. Mission: Our mission is to prevent violence against women and girls by transforming the norms and cultures that enable it. We carry out this mission by building a critical mass of change agents worldwide-the Breakthrough Generation-whose bold collective action will deliver irreversible impact on the issue of our time. Breakthrough is unique in its strategy - that of combining a sophisticated media campaign with grass-roots community mobilization efforts - to bring issues of human rights to mainstream audiences. Our five-pronged approach seeks to prevent and combat violence against women and effect behavior change by focusing on changing hearts, minds and actions of individuals and other actors to create social change and bring human rights home. For Breakthrough, 'individuals and other actors' could include a corporate entity, a non-governmental organization, state or other community actors, in addition to people who are agents of social change. How we Breakthrough? Breakthrough has a five-pronged approach through which we work towards our vision. These five strategies are highly integrated and should be understood as connected to one another at multiple levels. Breakthrough, in partnership with others, engages large audiences, particularly youth, through the power of attractive, persuasive and cutting edge media, popular culture and arts. We combine this use of media with on the ground and virtual community mobilization. Breakthrough then makes this approach and the lessons learned available to others. By doing this we catalyze broad public engagement, change social norms, and influence the public agenda. Breakthrough's five pronged strategy includes: 1. Create Public Dialogue through media, popular culture and varied forms of cultural expression - Breakthrough makes uses media, arts and culture to transform hearts, minds and actions. This includes the complete range of cultural expression from video to twitter to poetry to street theater. Breakthrough's 360-degree media campaign comprises of television and radio spots, print media, video vans, digital and social media like websites, blogs, facebook and twitter and mobile phones. Pro-bono partnerships with major advertising agencies to develop the campaign and with the government agencies to disseminate campaigns further leverage mainstream resources and create new audiences and stakeholders to support the issue. 2. Leadership Development - Breakthrough combines its mainstream communication and messaging strategy with leadership facilitation. It trains people from varied and diverse backgrounds and communities (such as youth from marginalized backgrounds, local leaders and opinion makers, service providers, staff of government agencies, teachers, health workers) to convey knowledge, share ideas and to reshape individual and community attitudes to VAW. The more intensive work done on the ground brings in new partners and gives depth to the media messages. Breakthrough, through its Rights Advocacy (RA) Training Program strengthens the ability of youth, community leaders and non-profit groups to become effective change agents in their own domains and enable individuals to act as human rights promoters and defenders. 3. Mobilize Communities, both on the ground and virtually - Breakthrough, along with trained Community Based Organizations/ NGOs /Stakeholders / Gatekeepers, undertakes community mobilization against VAW. The rights-based training attempts to change the attitudes and behaviour of the trainee and equip them to mobilize their communities to respect women and prevent and combat violence. Mobilization could include shifting mindsets, building awareness in communities, transforming individuals and other actors into advocates to take action to prevent abuse or demand redress for a violation, or advocating for policy changes to facilitate the promotion of peaceful and just societies. Breakthrough's edutainment tools and media messages are shared by the trained Rights Advocates at various community events and forums. Online community mobilization activities include micro campaigns, blogs, tweets etc, encouraging greater public participation, especially among youth. 4. Catalyze Partnerships across sectors and constituencies - Breakthrough partners with a wide range of individuals, entities and other actors to affect large-scale reach and impact, as well as leverage creative talent and critical thinking. Partnerships are strategic and

The Sathirakoses Nagapradipa Foundation (SNF) was founded by Thai intellectual, writer and social critic, Sulak Sivaraksa, in 1969. SNF is one of the first social organisations set up in Thailand - with a broad mission of supporting struggling artists and writers, and facilitating educational, cultural and spiritual activities that encourage detachment from consumerism. Named after two prominent writers and scholars of Thai culture, the foundation has acted as an umbrella for a number of sister organisations, which have sprung up under its auspices, through the encouragement and support of Sulak Sivaraksa. Together, they have been working modestly for social transformation and an end to structural violence, as well as promoting peace and justice in the region. What distinguishes SNF and its sister organisations from other social organisations is a deep commitment to social change through combining spirituality with social action. This approach is guided by the practice of 'engaged spirituality'. The main objectives of the foundation are as follows - (1) To support and promote persons who create art and cultural work, and to promote any activity which makes progress in the fields of arts and culture. (2) To support and give assistance in activities which will bring about the progress of Thai literature and arts. (3) To support and promote the conservation and/or development of arts, culture, education, as well as environmental and antiquity preservation for the progress of humanity. (4) To publish news concerning domestic and international issues. (5) To support and collaborate in social work for the benefit of society. (6) To support and promote all work of the foundation without political aims. The following is the broad organizational structure of SNF - Patronage SNF is under the patronage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama SNF Sister Organizations Wongsanit Ashram Santi Pracha Dhamma Institute (SPDI) International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB) INEB Institute School for Wellbeing - Studies and Research Spirit in Education Movement (SEM) Social Enterprises Suan Ngen Mee Ma Publishing House and Social Enterprise Siam Baandin Natural Housebuilding Social Enterprise SNF is closely associated with - Foundation for Children and Moo Baan Dek (Children's Village School) Buddhika Suksit Siam and Kled Thai Publishing Houses Komol Keemthong Foundation Institute for Contemplative Learning Sekhivadhamma Areas of engagement Some key themes being addressed through the foundation and its sister organisations include: Alternative Economics Through the School for Wellbeing, SNF is collaborating with the Centre for Bhutan Studies and Chulalongkorn University on theoretical and practical applications of Gross National Happiness in Thailand. Two social enterprises have also grown out from the Foundation, providing models of social engagement that contribute to new paradigm thinking and sustainability. Art and Culture SNF continues to support local artists in their contribution to commentary on social and political issues, aesthetics, and their own personal journeys of exploration and expression. INEB is also supporting the rediscovery and exchange of Buddhist art traditions across the Mekong region and beyond. Youth Activism INEB's Young Bodhisattva programme includes exchange of youth among partner organizations, and a foundational Socially Engaged Buddhism training integrating spirituality with social analysis. Strengthening Civil Society Grassroots empowerment has been a foundational approach across many of the programmes under SNF's organisations. The Assembly of the Poor - a social movement representing vast networks of grassroots people across Thailand - continues to be supported through the Santi Pracha Dhamma Institute (SPDI). Both the Spirit in Education Movement (SEM) Laos and Myanmar programmes focus on grassroots empowerment, community organizing and public awareness raising as a means to strengthen capacities of civil society and create platforms for social change. Sustainable Living and Environmental Integrity Wongsanit Ashram is a core member of Global Ecovillage Network - Asia and Oceania, and with its partners, has facilitated the International Ecovillage Design Education training since 2007, which seeks to provide models for sustainable community living. The 'Towards Organic Asia' programme under the School for Wellbeing also focuses on sustainability and wellbeing of communities through supporting organic agriculture farming and mindful markets across the Mekong region and Bhutan. INEB is also involved in recent initiatives on interfaith approaches to Climate Change and biodiversity conservation, which seek to bring a moral voice to the growing urgency for action to stem the current climate crisis. Gender SPDI and the Assembly of the Poor continue to organize capacity building activities for women groups within the network. INEB also contributes long-term thematic work on gender regarding women's' ordination and women's empowerment across Asia. Peace and Justice The 'Cross-Ethnic Integration in Andaman' project is working with migrant workers from Myanmar, including upholding and advocating migrant worker rights at policy and practical levels, and building trust and solidarity among migrant workers and local communities through cultural and social celebrations. INEB and its partners have collaborated on peace and justice initiatives in the Asian region for decades. Over the last years, focus has been on roles of the Buddhist Sangha in communal violence in Myanmar, Sri Lanka and restorative justice for Tamils during and after the civil war, and the impacts of the devastating Fukushima disaster of 2011. Alternative Education SEM Thailand works specifically on empowerment education for the Thai public, focusing mainly on inner growth and relationship building; and with organisations, government agencies, universities and private businesses to build workplace environments that support wellbeing. Under SEM Myanmar, the Coalition for the Promotion of Monastic Education is supporting local schools to become more open and democratic in their management, alongside encouraging holistic child-centred learning, engaging parents, and breaking the walls which separate the school, monastery and community by becoming starting points for wider community-driven development. Media SNF continually publishes books and magazines in both English and Thai languages, including the long-running Pacasaraya magazine, Puey magazine (in memory of Dr. Puey Ungpakhorn), and the Seeds of Peace. SEM Laos has also continued providing materials in Lao language on Buddhism and social engagement.

Kenya Keys unlocks the potential of students in impoverished Kenyan communities, raising awareness and bridging cultures to provide education, mentorship, leadership development and girl empowerment opportunities. In the rural Kinango District of Kenya there are many obstacles to education, but there is one organization working hard to remove those barriers for as many young Kenyans as possible. That group is Kenya Keys and its purpose is to unlock the enormous potential of young people in Kenya. Kenya Keys is a vibrant demonstration that one person really can make a big difference. In June 2005, Rinda Hayes and her daughter traveled to the remote village of Bahakwenu in the impoverished Kinango District in Kenya. Rinda was stunned by the extreme poverty she found in Bahakwenu. She was also inspired by the tenacity of the children in the village, who longed to get an education. She had never observed such a single-minded desire to learn. Perhaps no Kenyan impressed Rinda more than Joseph Mwengea, the Headmaster of Bahakwenu Primary School. Joseph is an intelligent and driven man and a determined advocate for his students. As he and Rinda met together during her first visit to his village, he pleaded with her to help him help the students of Bahakwenu. He watched bright and capable students leave primary school with little or no hope of attending secondary school due to their inability to pay the required fees. After her visit, Rinda was determined to share her stories of this community and the people who had so impressed her with her friends in the United States. She believed she could find caring American individuals and families that would be able to provide financial support for top Kenyan students, enabling these students to complete a secondary education. The Kenya Keys sponsorship program began with 14 students. Five years later it became the nonprofit organization of Kenya Keys. Kenya Keys has supported hundreds of students - to secondary school and now into college and university. And that's not all. Kenya Keys' work has expanded to include multiple worthwhile related programs. Kenya Keys works with local communities to improve educational infrastructure and resources, such as libraries, dormitories, classrooms, desks, and more. The Kenya Keys Boards of Directors (one in the U.S. and one in Kenya) also provide financial and other support to grassroots organizations run by local Kenyan community leaders and councils. Each of these components of Kenya Keys' efforts in rural Kenya is described more fully in the following section. Everything Kenya Keys does is guided by its founding principles: First, education is the primary key to unlocking potential, both for the individual and for the community. Second, cultural awareness and exchange is vital and enriching for all participants. We live in an increasingly connected world, and exposure to new cultures and ideas is key to creating understanding and appreciation for one's own culture and for the cultures of others. Third, opportunities, not handouts, are what make a lasting difference. There should be no giving of things that run out or wear out. Giving such things only increases dependency, invites discontent, and isolates the givers from the receivers. Instead, giving should empower the receiver and provide an enduring benefit. Fourth: volunteerism is fundamental to the success of an organization. Nonprofit groups run by volunteers remain strong and dynamic. Volunteerism also connects global citizens in a meaningful way. Fifth, education provides the best defense against the ranges of poverty and hopelessness, and is the greatest catalyst for change and growth. Sixth, all critical decisions should be made by local leaders and councils. Local leaders and community members know their own needs and circumstances far better than any outsider, however well-intentioned. Allowing local people to make key decisions gives them vital ownership and accountability. It also provides the opportunity for these individuals to develop crucial leadership skills. Kenyans will always find the best solutions to the deep-seated challenges in their communities. Finally, education and the development of leadership skills in today's youth is critical to building the future leaders of Kenya.

Currently Ubeci serves approximately 600 children, many who live on the streets of Quito, with an educational break during the day, at six different markets. Each day staff and volunteers get on a bus and go to a market, carrying canopies, mats, toys, school supplies and sports equipment; and set up an area to provide educational, social and recreational services. The market children are often required to spend up to 12 hours a day in a stall at the market helping bag produce and keeping the stall clean. Due to a lack of ability to earn adequate wages in the market to pay for basic needs, children often work so enough money can be earned to survive. Children first wash their hands with soap and water, both from necessity and to learn basic hygiene. Children between the ages of 1 and 17 engage in various activities each day, sometimes with younger siblings in attendance, because a 5 year old will be responsible for caring for a one or two year old sibling. Volunteers and staff assume responsibility for the young sibling while the older child participates in the program. Children are provided with educational toys, such as legos, puppets, etc., and are encouraged to play with others. Play allows children to develop creativity and imagination while developing physical, cognitive, and emotional strengths. Play is essential to developing social and emotional ties, and allow children who have been working to once again be a child. Older children will receive help with homework if attending school or have the opportunity to draw or read. Next. children are divided into three age groups in order to engage in appropriate learning activities. Younger children can engage in coloring a worksheet that may describe various objects, feelings, or activities which is then incorporated into a lesson which helps the young children gain a better understanding of basic elements of math, hygiene, health, language, self-respect and self-awareness. Worksheets and activities are more challenging for the older groups of children. All activities employ fun as a way to build interest, maintain interest and focus and increase success. After sitting, they are often in need of movement at this point, which is offered in the form of organized, cooperative, and fun games and activities. Children may engage in a three legged race, play different versions of tag, or a game of soccer. Organized games teach important life lessons from play that is often missing from work in the market. Children engage in a song that involves movement and another lesson often in relation to self-awareness and positive self-concept. Children are then allowed to choose an activity or receive additional help with school work. Many children are able to walk from their parents stall to the program on their own. However, others are picked by staff at their parents stall at the beginning of the program and then are returned to the stall after the program ends, a short but important form of transportation, to help all the children in the market participate. Goals of the Play Do and Learn Program Provide street children and at-risk children with a needed break from working in the stall and/or having to provide care for a younger sibling. Provide educational services to children who are either not in school or have limited school, to augment their learning and promote the importance of learning. Foster a positive self-concept in at-risk/street children who have experienced many challenges including various forms of discrimination including gender and class; lack of basic necessities: food, shelter, health care, clothing and education and a time and place to be a child. Provide an opportunity for parents to see and understand the value of education, many who have not had the opportunity for school, in a manner that provides an step between full time school and working full time in the market. Provide support so that children are able to enroll in and stay in school, so they have more and better options for earning a livable wage. Offer girls, who often have less options than boys in Ecuador, a more level playing field in terms of self-concept, educational opportunities and the ability to be more self-sufficient. Program Accomplishments Approximately of all the school age children in the Play Do and Learn program enroll in school and stay in school during the year due largely to the services provided before school age and ongoing support once enrolled in school. Services have been increased over the years so that over 600 children in 6 different markets receive program services. Due to the strength of the program and support from around the world, the program has survived for 20 years. Have employed three direct service providers whose energy and dedication to the program is evidenced by working long hours in the markets of Quito, regardless of conditions, and always placing the needs of the children first. Have developed and nurtured a relationship with IVHQ, which results in over 250 volunteers a year spending between two and twelve weeks a year, providing 15,000 hours of service per year at a value of a donation of $300,000 per year, keeping operating expenses to $60,000 per year. Have developed the local support and partnership with the best university in Ecuador, The Universidad of San Francisco who provides, student interns and materials for student supply kits each year. Christmas Campaign: Each December students in the Play, Do, Learn Program receive a gift from Ubeci consisting of food (such as candy, juice, cakes, sandwiches, etc.) and clothing. Children participating in the program often are unable to celebrate Christmas as many children around the world, due to lack of resources to obtain basic day-to-day living necessities. The total value of the food and clothing given to each child is approximately $15.00. School Supplies: In October, each child who participates in the Play Do and Learn Program will receive a kit of student supplies, which includes notebooks, pencils, pens, colored pencils, crayons, erasers and glue. The value of each kit is approximately $12.00. The kits are distributed to the child and parent.

Our mission is to expose a diverse population of young girls to a high-quality STEM academy that inspires confidence in their pursuit of learning throughout the year.

Education for All Girls in the Slums in Ghana