Education

When Joshua grows up

When Joshua grows up

When you sit down with Joshua, one of the first things you’ll learn is how much he loves to sing and write music. He will gladly rap for you an original song, and trust us, the boy has talent! When he grows up, he wants to be a gospel singer.

Joshua joined Fountain of Life Community School two years ago as a 4th grader. When he joined, he didn’t know how to read. Unfortunately, this is the reality for most children in Ng’ombe. They may be going to school every day, but never learn how to read while there.

Our Schools Say Thanks!

What a year this has been! There aren't quite words to describe what we've all been through, and how this pandemic has affected our lives. But there are words to say just how grateful we are that you've continued to walk with us and our partner schools through this crazy year.

Take a look at this short video below as our schools say thank you for all that you've made possible this year!

Responding to Covid

All around the world, our lives have been upended by the coronavirus. It’s been stressful, scary, exhausting, and confusing. (Just to name a few of the emotions I have felt in the last few months). But with schools in Zambia reopening to their 7th grade classes last week, we are back to work giving children life-changing educational opportunities.

Last week, while distributing reading books and cleaning supplies to all of our partner schools, we began to survey the challenges they are facing with reopening during the pandemic. This week we are following up with support.

Getting Teacher Resources into Eager Hands

Getting Teacher Resources into Eager Hands

With a class of 50 preschool students, Teacher Rhoida has her hands full! A typical day of learning in this class involves singing songs, reciting chants, and copying shapes and letters from the chalkboard. Unfortunately due to a lack of resources and the experience in how to use them, there is very little hands-on, interactive learning.

So last month, we packed up a box of teaching resources from our Center and visited Rhoida’s classroom to try them out.

The Difference We are Making

At the end of every year, we take time to reflect on our progress and dream of our future. Last week, we invited our partner schools to join us as we embarked on this process. We asked them one simple question… what does it mean to be a part of the Impact One Network?  

The first response… it means a lot! 

Then each person began to share story after story of how the Impact One Network has made a difference in their schools.

Ready for the Future!

Ready for the Future!

Over the past year, we have provided ongoing training and mentoring for our schools to implement a new e-learning program. They have been teaching math lessons to the 1st to 3rd grade students using interactive tablets. Through weekly mentoring sessions, the teachers developed skills to operate the technology, facilitate multiple lesson activities, and equip students to work independently to understand the content. This month, 8 teachers graduated from the Teaching with iSchool Program having mastered all of the required skills! 

Spreading the Love... And the Skills!

Spreading the Love... And the Skills!

Our core priority is training teachers with new skills, but that doesn't mean we are always the trainers! In our network of 9 schools, our teachers and directors are gifted with a variety of skills. One of our roles at Impact One is to give them a platform to share those skills with each other. One of those platforms is the Teacher Group Meetings, which are organized by our School Directors to encourage and equip their own teachers. 

This year, our School Directors have chosen to use the Teacher Group Meetings as an opportunity to build skills in Creative and Technology Studies.