Reflecting On Our Recent Campaign: Breaking Barriers Through Education
It’s official – You helped us reach our goal, and you made a difference!
During our recent campaign, we had the honor to dedicate the entire month of May to supporting our education program, focusing on addressing the various challenges faced by children in our communities. Thanks to our incredible donors, every dollar that was donated throughout the month was matched up to $100k. Not only did we successfully achieve our goal of $100k, but we exceeded it by raising a total of $108,828!
But why do we need over $200k for education?
Displaced populations –– usually facing the aftermath of crises and disruption alongside their families –– often face significant educational barriers. When children’s education is put on pause as they grapple with displacement, poverty, or different barriers, it becomes incredibly easy for them to fall behind the public school standard. Additionally, overcrowded public classrooms (where teacher-student ratios exceed 30:1) make it impossible to provide individualized attention, affecting the progress of students with unique learning needs. As a result, students who are already behind may be denied admission to schools or given limited schedules, such as attending only two days a week. The lack of after-school support and additional resources further hinders their ability to succeed academically. These compounded issues not only widen the education gap, but they prevent students who are behind from thriving in school.
Additionally, the children in our community face other barriers. The lack of access to necessary supplies combined with limited financial resources can force children out of school when they’re not able to provide the supplies that they need. Transportation barriers also provide a challenge –– in many cases, public schools are located far away from our children’s homes. Limited or unreliable transportation options, coupled with financial constraints, make it difficult for children to attend school regularly.
But this is why we run our education program: And this is why it’s so important that we keep it running.
For every barrier that our children face, we are committed to alleviate each one. Our education program is designed to help the children in our communities overcome the challenges that displacement and poverty produces to achieve their full potential. Here’s how we’re making a difference:
First, our program runs year-round, providing extra support for the children in our communities. This means they can get help whenever they need it, even outside of regular school breaks.
Because of our smaller student-teacher ratio, our program ensures individualized learning for our students. This means that each student gets individual attention and support tailored to their own unique needs. This not only helps to bridge the educational gap, but it helps our students succeed in their studies and confidence.
Our program also goes beyond just academics: instead, it focuses on the whole child. Through our special programs, we help students develop strong communication skills, express their feelings in a healthy way, and learn to work well with others. We also teach important life skills like responsibility, empathy, and teamwork, empowering students to thrive in all areas of their lives. Our program is dedicated to nurturing the complete development of each child, ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed both academically and personally and break the cycle of poverty.
It’s also important to evaluate our teaching methods. We understand that one size doesn't fit all –– exploring different ways of teaching to find what works best for each student is not only important, but this helps make learning more enjoyable and effective.
We also ensure that our students have access to the necessary resources and supplies they need. We understand that many children face barriers in obtaining educational materials, so we provide the school supplies that our students need directly. We have a take-home library where students can borrow books not only for educational needs but also for them to personally enjoy. We’re also excited to share that we now have a washing machine! Students can now come and drop off their public school uniforms to have them washed and cleaned, which boosts self-esteem, creates a sense of belonging, and helps our students to feel ready to learn and engage in their education.
Student evaluations are also an important aspect of our program. It helps us to benchmark where they are, and how they are progressing. Through these evaluations, we gain valuable insights into each student's unique needs, strengths, and areas for growth. This enables us to tailor our support effectively, ensuring that students receive the appropriate resources and assistance to thrive.
With these efforts, this is why education matters.
We are committed to giving every student a chance to succeed and break down the barriers that hold them back from achieving their full potential.
And thanks to your incredible support and generosity, we’ve reached our fundraising goal of $200,000! This means that we can do so much more than just keep our programs running –– We’re now able to directly bring real, positive change in the lives of our students. With these funds, we'll be able to enhance their educational experience, provide students with the tools and resources they need to thrive, and offer additional support that will make a lasting impact. Together, we’re empowering our communities to thrive and break the cycle of poverty!
Although our campaign is over, its impact is far from it. Education is just the beginning of empowering our communities, and we’re so excited for the possibilities that lie ahead.