Village
newsletter
July 27, 2023
Issue 010
Exploring the Pearl of Africa: A journey of education and inspiration
By Gerida Kalipinde
While in Uganda the team visited High Tech, Mukono, and Jollyland schools, where they had the opportunity to interact with students, parents and teachers. “We were fortunate on this trip to be able to spend a great deal of time with our learners, particularly at High Tech, where we spent nearly a week. From observing them in the classroom to talking casually with them for an hour at a time, spending time with our students is one of our favorite things to do. We genuinely want to know them as people and what life is like for them in and out of school. It’s for these kids that we do what we do each and every day,” she said.
During the trip, the team was also privileged to meet one of the first graduates of our mentor program, Joel, who is now pursuing a degree in engineering. He attributes the mentorship that he received through It Takes a Village to his success.
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Breaking Barriers and Building Dreams: The High Tech Library Takes Shape
By Gerida Kalipinde
In an effort to reimagine education across the globe, It Takes a Village is constructing a Library and a Tech Center in Uganda. The library`s comprehensive resources are expected to ease access to quality education for local students and the community who lack vital learning resources. As a school focused on science and technology, the new tech center will offer workshops in coding and cloud computing. The inclusion of modern technology such as computers and internet access will open up a world of possibilities for the learners who previously had little or no access to these resources.
The library will be located at High Tech Secondary School which serves 1600 students, and nearly 700 students reside at the school.
It Takes a Village Africa Director, Christopher Sitolo said the organization remains dedicated to ensure that every child has access to quality education in order to foster development and empower communities.
“We are determined to reach everyone everywhere with these libraries. One head does not carry a roof. We simply cannot do this alone! I call upon individuals, companies, and organizations which have education at the core of their corporate social responsibility to join us, ” he said.
High Tech Library will be among 3 other newly constructed libraries in Malawi and Ghana. Currently, over eight thousand students in 10 countries have access to our libraries.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: ISIDRO LOYO
By Claudia Janett Lugo
Isidro Loyo is from the rural village of Cuchapa in Mexico. He lives with both parents and has three older sisters. He enrolled for first grade in 2016 at Cuchapa School, but he was later withdrawn because he had to help his family on their farm. At the age of only 6 years old, Isidro`s future looked bleak, but with the help of teachers from his school, he was re-enrolled in school in 2017.
Hardworking and determined, Isidro learned how to read and write at the age of 7 years old. Over the course of the next two years however, Isidro’s attendance became intermittent. As the only son in the family, he was oftentimes required to help his family on the farm. His motivation to keep up with his studies diminished.
Understanding that education was the only way for Isidro to break his family’s cycle of poverty, his teacher recommended him for ITAV’s mentor program in 2022. At age 11 and with the guidance of a dedicated mentor, Isidro’s teachers saw both his grades and attendance steadily begin to improve. With his mentor’s encouragement, Isidro began to understand how education was the key to a better life for both himself and his family. This year he will be graduating from Cuchapa along with his classmates who are several years younger. Isidro says “I’m going to study hard and go to high school. I would like to achieve my dreams.”
A monthly donation of $30 provides quality education to five students. With over 20 libraries across the world we will provide your students with additional academic resources and learning opportunities not found in their classrooms or at home.Your support will help bridge the gaps in their learning journey.
