English Access Micro Scholarship Program

 

The English Access Microscholarship Program (Access) provides a foundation of English language skills to talented 13-20-year-olds from economically disadvantaged sectors through after-school classes and intensive sessions. The program equips students with the English skills that can lead to better jobs, educational prospects, and the ability to participate in future exchanges.

Objectives

  1. Enhance English Language Skills
    • Provide high-quality English language instruction to economically disadvantaged youth.
  2. Develop Leadership and Life Skills
    • Foster leadership, critical thinking, and life skills through interactive and participatory learning activities.
  3. Promote Cultural Understanding
    • Increase understanding of American culture and democratic values, while also promoting the participants’ own culture.
  4. Prepare for Future Opportunities
    • Equip students with the language and soft skills needed for better job prospects, higher education, and participation in exchange programs.

Program Components

  1. After-School Classes
    • Regular classes held after school hours focusing on English language acquisition and practical usage.
  2. Intensive Sessions
    • Short, concentrated learning experiences often held during school holidays to enhance language skills and cultural understanding.
  3. Community Service Activities
    • Projects that engage students in community service, fostering a sense of civic responsibility and community involvement.
  4. Cultural Enrichment Activities
    • Activities that expose students to American culture, as well as help them appreciate and share their own culture.

Program Outcomes

  1. Improved English Proficiency
    • Participants gain a strong foundation in English, enhancing their communication skills and confidence.
  2. Leadership Development
    • Students develop leadership abilities and critical thinking skills through interactive learning and community projects.
  3. Cultural Exchange
    • Enhanced cultural awareness and mutual understanding between participants and people from different backgrounds.
  4. Increased Opportunities
    • Improved prospects for participants in terms of education, employment, and exchange programs.

Location

  • Kilifi County
  • Kwale County
  • Mombasa County

Donor

U.S. Department of State

Program Beneficiaries

  • Economically disadvantaged youth aged 13-20
  • Schools and educational institutions
  • Local communities through service projects

 

Click here to get a copy

FOUNDATIONS FOR LEARNING (F4L)

The Foundations for Learning (F4L) project is a comprehensive initiative implemented by Connect To Retain in Kilifi County. Its goal is to improve educational systems at the pre-primary and primary levels to enhance women’s empowerment and gender equality. 

Objectives:

  1. Transform Unequal Gender Norms: Address and transform gender norms and power dynamics within the education system.
  2. Increase Educational Opportunities: Provide more gender-responsive and pluralist quality educational opportunities.
  3. Enhance Professional Knowledge and Skills: Train teachers and school leaders to create gender-responsive, pluralist learning environments.
  4. Design Inclusive Education Models: Develop and implement new inclusive models for educational improvement.
  5. Engage Families and Communities: Mobilize families and communities to support gender equity and equality in education.
  6. Influence Education Policies: Use evidence generation and communication to influence education policies and practices.
  7. Empower Girls: Reduce barriers to educational access, transition, and performance for girls.
  8. Connect Schools with Health Resources: Link schools with health and nutrition resources to promote healthier lives for learners, especially girls.

Project Outcomes:

  1. Strengthen Delivery of Quality Education:
    • Improve the technical capacity of professionals to deliver gender-responsive and inclusive services.
    • Enhance the ability of governments to design and implement quality, gender-responsive policies and programs.
    • Increase the availability of quality gender-responsive educational materials and resources.
  2. Reduce Gender and Social Barriers:
    • Increase equitable access to resources and services for all community members.
    • Enhance community structures’ and leaders’ ability to address and respond to gender and social barriers.
    • Promote knowledge among community members about equitable development practices and benefits.
  3. Enhance Engagement of International Stakeholders:
    • Provide robust gender-sensitive evidence and research to inform decision-making at various levels.
    • Increase opportunities for learning and dialogue around gender-sensitive evidence with stakeholders.

Location:

Kilifi County

Donor:

Aga Khan Foundation East Africa

Project Beneficiaries:

  • College Tutors
  • Student Teachers
  • Primary Schools (Including Practicum Schools)
  • Pre-primary School Teachers
  • Primary School Teachers
  • Headteachers
  • Education Officers
  • Local Government Authority (LGA)