Project News
With the tools gained through the Kisa Project, Kisa Scholars, Sponsors and Leaders are undertaking service and entrepreneurial activities in their local and global communities. Check here often for highlights from the most recent projects, or sign up to receive the latest news!
Kisa Scholars share their experiences with two of AfricAid’s new partner schools!
Last week, a few of AfricAid’s current Kisa Scholars of Arusha Secondary School traveled to two of our new Kisa partner schools – Edmund Rice Secondary School and Enaboishu Secondary School – to share their experiences in Kisa with the incoming Form 5 students. The Scholars explained what Kisa is about and encouraged younger students to apply!
“In Kisa, you will learn skills giving you gateways to success,” Kisa Scholar Neema told the students. Another Kisa Scholar, Nice, said, “We girls have great dreams to make change in our communities. Opportunities are there; we should grab them with our two hands. Kisa is an opportunity!”
We are so impressed with the presentations our Kisa Scholars delivered to the group and hope their wonderful stories inspired the girls to be future Kisa Scholars themselves!
Kisa Scholar's Article Featured on Huffington Post!
In March of 2011, Kisa Scholar Elizabeth David wrote an article about girls' education and women's leadership, which was featured on Huffington Post! Many thanks to Elizabeth's Kisa Sponsor, She's the First, for working to make this a possibility! We are so proud of Elizabeth. Please take a look at Elizabeth's full article here.
Kisa Scholars Present Year One Portfolios!
In December of 2010, the Kisa Scholars at Moringe Sokoine and Arusha Secondary Schools presented what they have learned during the first year of Kisa to a panel of community leaders that included heads of school, Kisa mentors, and members of the NGO community.
During their presentations, students shared what they had learned during the first four units of the Kisa curriculum, including lessons in Personal Leadership, Developing an Innovative Vision, Establishing Powerful Relationships, and Creating Opportunities for Exponential Empowerment. Many of them also shared their vision of the future projects they hope to lead, including selling agricultural products, running a general store, starting a chicken cooperative, and establishing an internet café. Needless to say, these girls impressed everyone in attendance!
Kisa Scholar Visits Colorado!
This past December, AfricAid celebrated a special occasion – the visit of AfricAid Kisa Scholar, Chausiku Mkuya, to Colorado!
Chausiku is a Kisa first-year Kisa Scholar at Arusha Secondary School, and has struggled with many family challenges in her life. Yet, Chausiku has worked hard to excel in school, and with the support of the Kisa Project, she plans to increase awareness about HIV/AIDS in her community. Because of her amazing accomplishments and commitment to her community, Chausiku was accepted to participate in a prestigious, month-long leadership training program through BoldLeaders. While in Colorado, Chausiku further developed and practiced her leadership skills, spent time teaching American students about life in Colorado, and joined AfricAid supporters at our holiday party to share with them the incredible impact that their support has made in her life. In the process, she inspired hundreds of Americans with her far-reaching vision, strong commitment, and unwavering graciousness.
Sponsor Spotlight - Professor Joan Desilets
Kisa Sponsor Joan Desilets provides an inspiring example of how one person can creatively and powerfully support the education of a young Tanzanian woman! For the second year in a row, Joan held a year-end plant sale at Farleigh Dickinson University, where she is a professor. She collected baby plants and grew them all year long, and sold them this past November along side framed photography. She even gave her students extra credit for participating – and, in the process, learning what working for an NGO is all about!
Kisa Scholars Launch KisaNet at 1st Annual Kisa Internship!
Only July 12th, the first annual Kisa Internship came to an exciting end as parents, teachers, business people, and community leaders from the Arusha region watched 21 Kisa Scholars, poised and confident, present their business plan for the enterprise they created in just over week. In the span of 10 days, the 21 secondary school girls learned the ins and outs of project planning, marketing, and budgeting, created their own digital stories, co-authored a children’s book, played more than a few team building games (summer camp favorites), held a talent show and a dance party, and most significantly, launched a small business of their own -- KisaNet! Read More.
Kisa at eLearning Africa 2010
"Kisa IT Manager Louis Gutierrez was a featured speaker at the eLearning Africa 2010 International Conference in Zambia, discussing how Kisa and AfricAid have used new and innovative technology to bring computers to Tanzanian classrooms. Check out this video, which features our Kisa partners, and which was played in the opening welcome address to the thousands of participants!"
Girls Who Rock
Two girls for two years. The GIRLS WHO ROCK concert, sponsored by She's The First and benefitting AfricAid, on June 10th was a smash hit. The seven recording artists and over 400 in attendance raised enough funds to provide two Tanzanian girls with two years of secondary education and leadership training through the Kisa Project. A benefit concert is a great, fun, and inspiring way to raise funds for Kisa Scholars. Watch a short video showing the concert here:
Grant Applications - For Kisa Scholars
Upon successful completion of the Kisa training program, Kisa Scholars are eligible to apply for small loans and grants for community service projects, businesses, or social enterprises. If you are a Kisa Scholar and would like to apply for a small grant or loan, please download the following application and return it by email.
Download Application Here (80 KB)