“Education is neither eastern or western. Education is education and it’s the right of every human being.” Malala Yousafzai.
The Background
Global Handprints believes that children all around the world should not only have access to education but that it should be an education in which the teaching
competes at an international level. There is currently a great deal of information in the media about global citizenship, a curriculum to promote it and it’s importance in schools. There is an emphasis on making children aware of different cultures, countries
and customs through the internet, pen pal links and Skype conversations. However, Global Handprints believes that in order for children to truly become global citizens, they first need to be global learners, being taught by teachers who share skills and experience
with their international colleagues.
This is an exciting time for education with primary education being the focus of one of the
United Nation’s Millenium Development Goals. As these goals are being assessed and coming to an end, the
Post2015 Development Agenda is taking over meaning that world leaders will continue to focus on education; improving access and standards across the world as part of their ‘ambitious, long-term agenda to improve people’s lives and protect the planet for
future generations.’
The Proposal
Global Handprints plans to bridge the skills gap currently occurring between schools in the western world and developing countries by implementing a volunteer project aimed specifically at international fully qualified teachers; Teachers teaching Teachers
(TtT). The Teachers teaching Teachers (TtT) project will enable teachers to spend time at schools in rural South Africa exposing locally qualified teachers to new ideas, techniques and approaches they can bring into their classrooms. This skills exchange project
will develop teaching standards and strategies in developing countries to more closely match those being used across the world. In turn children will benefit from a higher standard of teaching making them more likely to be able to compete as global citizens
with their international peers in the business and education world.
In order to launch the TtT project, Global Handprints plans to purchase a property within the Umkhanyakude Local Municipality and establish a Community Development and Upliftment Volunteer Centre amidst a small, local community.
We have chosen to roll out the TtT project in the uMkhanyakude District Municipality because of their vision for the education service being provided. In the Municipality’s IDP for 2014/15, they address the MDGs, setting their own targets in conjunction
with the goals;
- MDG Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education (KPA 1)
- UKDM Target 3: Ensure that by 2015, children everywhere, boys & girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling
- MDG Goal 3: Promote gender equality & Empower Women (KPA 1)
- UKDM Target 4: Eliminate gender disparity in Primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005 and in all levels of education by no later than 2015
Although there are no significant differences in education levels of the male and female population in this municipality, their statistics show high levels of adult illiteracy in the district;
- More than 27% of the adult female population and 22% of the male population who have not received any form of schooling. These figures are significantly higher than the comparative provincial figures of 13% and 8% respectively.
- The proportion of the adult population in the district with tertiary education is less than half the comparative figure for the province (approximately 2.5% of the adult population compared to provincial figure of 5%) which rate amongst the lowest of
the districts in the province.
By improving the standards of teaching at both primary and high school levels, we can work together to address these statistics making sure that when the municipality’s children grow up, they are able to compete as Global Citizens. We have already had meetings
with the Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal and they are keen to develop a partnership supporting the implementation of TtT. They understand that improving the standard of teaching carried out in the schools is part of the greater aim for the region.
In the long run, this Volunteer Centre will not only host TtT volunteers but will be a hub for projects that provide a holistic approach to uplifting the local community, addressing other areas in need of development; agriculture and income generating programs.
We will work alongside the community and the Municipality creating projects that focus on their mission to create “an enabling environment and sustainable development which promotes quality of life.” Running varied volunteer projects will enable us to offer
more employment opportunities to the community while also engaging international volunteers from different backgrounds and careers to spend time with us sharing their knowledge and experience.
Benefit to the area
The TtT placement will develop teaching standards in local schools enabling children to leave school with improved English, Math and Science skills in turn enabling them to become Global Citizens. By improving standards of teaching in schools, the adult
illiteracy rate will ultimately decrease as will unemployment levels. In schools Volunteer teachers will be accompanied by locally recruited Coordinators who will facilitate the placements. Coordinators will be paid in accordance with the hourly minimum wage
and will be invited to take part in budget and money management workshops encouraging a change in attitude enabling bills and expenses to be met.
Target Market
Having worked for a large volunteer organization, the most common complaint received from volunteers on ‘Education’ projects was that they felt over skilled for the work required of them. The TtT project enables volunteer teachers to undertake volunteer
placements that make use of their specific experience and training, making a long lasting impact on what happens in the classroom. While on a TtT placement, international Volunteer Teachers spend time working alongside locally trained teachers in rural schools
running workshops, observing lessons, modeling methods and strategies, and sharing their skills. Both local and international teachers are encouraged to identify their teaching strengths as well as areas that need developing in order for a two-way skills exchange
to take place.
Global Handprints aims to create volunteer placements that appeal to, and are accessible for, people with varied skills and experiences. While not excluding the student market, we are passionate about creating placements that cater for an older market; young
professionals who have varied career and life experiences, and skills to share. Where necessary, projects will target specific professionals for example, TtT accepts only qualified and qualifying teachers, providing a placement that ensures they are able to
use their professional qualification and experiences. However, we will also develop placements catering for a general audience who want to ‘do good’ and are enthusiastic about getting involved in community wellbeing. We believe that being located in a remote,
rural area of South Africa with plenty to offer in terms of adventure, culture and nature will attract clientele interested in these activities. Having links with a local tour operator will facilitate us being able to offer opportunities that combine such
activities with our placements.
The Plan
- Global Handprints is currently having discussions with the Department of Education in order to get their support to roll out the project across local schools.
- Global Handprints has already designed the TtT project and is in the process of meeting with community leaders and local teachers to ensure they are on board and understand the aims and objectives despite the fact that the
instruction to get involved will come down from a governmental level.
- Global Handprints is in the process of listing TtT volunteer placements as ‘coming soon’ on several volunteer opportunity databases.
- Once agreements have been confirmed the TtT placements will go live on the website and a social media campaign to highlight them will begin.
- At the start of the next academic year (September 2015) Global Handprints will begin to promote the TtT project to all educational institutes offering Teacher Training courses and will offer to hold talks about the placements
for interested teachers.
The Funds
Tipping Point Funds (£50,000) will be used to refurbish and renovate the property enabling Global Handprints to set up the Community Development Volunteer Centre there. We will also spend money on marketing and advertising.
Should we raise the full amount, the remaining funds will be used for;
- Purchasing the property in full meaning income generated will not need to be used to continue to pay rent on the property, therefore more money will go back into the community, sooner.
- Two full time salaries for one year enabling staff to live and work in the community, focus on launching the TtT project, get volunteers to the schools and then work alongside the community to design additional development
projects.
- Purchasing a vehicle to transport volunteers to / from placements ensuring their safety and comfort
- Property utilities for 12 months ensuring that more profit can be made at this early stage that then goes back into the community.
Previous Successes
Global Handprints worked with small, independent projects in Uganda from 2010. Over the years, we have raised funds through annual fundraising events (Auctions, Black Tie / Masquerade Balls) as well as
through volunteer placement fees. These funds have ben used for a variety of community
developments including building and furnishing a library, emptying pit latrines, supporting a children’s home netball team to compete at national level and funding a school to stay open for an extra academic year.
Learn More
Global Handprints website: http://www.globalhandprints.co.uk/
Global Handprints on Twitter:
@globalhandprint
