Oprah Winfrey discusses issues of international concern with students representing South Africa in the 10th Annual Cornell University Model United Nations
During the annually hosted Cornell University Model United Nations, Oprah Winfrey treated participants with a surprise visit! Students traveling with Education Africa, representing the Continue reading
Oupa's organization focuses on education and environmental issues, photo courtesy of Deborah Terhune
I just want to say thank you for everything, being part of your project my life has change completely. … I do have an organization which I have started, the aim of this organization is based on education and environmental issues. I want youth to know that knowledge is power so without education you won’t survive on this planet earth.
- Oupa, friend and CUSD volunteer from Justicia, Limpopo, South Africa; founder of Swakoteka* youth development program
* “Swakoteka” is a Shanghani word meaning “it is possible”.
A dear friend and fellow CUSD volunteer, Oupa, teaches at a small school in Justicia: Happy Home School, a preschool founded in 2001 with a passion for educating local children. Last summer, he lived and worked side-by-side with student volunteers for 6 weeks. This homestay and skills exchange opportunity was arranged and encouraged by one of our project advisors, Deborah Terhune who is also Founder of Growing Up Africa, a USA based nonprofit, responsible for enhancing, developing and supporting Happy Home School. Upon returning to Justicia, Oupa founded Swakoteka youth development program.
This is Oupa! Photo courtesy of Deborah Terhune
Recently, Deborah shared more updates about Oupa and what he has been doing in his village, since returning to Justicia. See her email below:
… I want to share with you the impact you and your project has made on one young man’s life.
Oupa, returned to Justicia filled with hope and inspiration. Just recently he started a YOUTH GROUP (not the same as his church’s youth group). The mission: to instill the spirit of community, to learn ways to support one another in the community and to teach volunteerism. The first project on their agenda: keeping the community clean.
Hi all,
Hope everyone had a wonderful winter break (or summer for our readers in the southern hemisphere)!
It’s the first semester of school at our ECD center!! Here are a few photos James Urdang from Education Africa shared with the team. Thanks to Robyn Wienand of Play-With-A-Purpose, our ECD Center’s teachers are ready to take on our very first group of students. Check out the pictures Robyn sent us.
Photo credit: Robyn Wienand of Play-With-A-Purpose
photo taken by Stephen Smith for Designer Pages
A few weekends ago Tom and I had the amazing opportunity to present the Schoolhouse South Africa project at the IDNY Meetup in New York. Not only did it provide us with the perfect excuse to get out of Ithaca for a few days, but we were able to see and hear about some really inspiring work. The theme of the Meetup was Sustainable Design and the two other speakers were Robert Goodwin from Perkins + Will and Dan Kaplan from FX Fowle.
The Schoolhouse South Africa Communications Team had two more victories this month for sponsorships! The Cornell Council for the Arts (CCA) grant will support our Schoolhouse South Africa exhibition called Design, Build, Design. The PepsiCo sponsorship will be used to print the Schoolhouse South Africa book, led by editors Jeff Johnson ’15, Lexi Quint ’13, Allie Riggs ’13, and Emily Schuit ’14. We are now two steps closer to meaningfully concluding Schoolhouse South Africa.
Allie Riggs, our CUSD Communications team member who worked on the Cornell Council for the Arts (CCA) grant tells us a little about her work compiling the grant. Additionally, Allie was mentioned in the Cornell Chronicle here: “CCA Grant Competition.” Continue reading
