“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water and create many ripples.” – Mother Theresa
This summer, we are picking up our pebbles to make ripples in West and North Africa! We are strongly persuaded that with the right preparation and work, those ripples will one day be tidal waves and we will see the fruit of our efforts reap dividends in generations to come.
EDGE Institute is an educational NGO focused on Global Education and Education in Conflict. We are passionate about using education for peace-keeping and peace-building as well as community development and growth. We believe that a way we can make a difference in the world is to share our excitement and passion for education with schools around the world.
This summer, we will embark on a trip to the Gambia, Senegal, and Egypt to conduct more than thirty hours of teacher training as well as an intense three day student summit which will seek to give students tools to engage in global conversations and share their voice and stories with the world.
By presenting seminars and conferences for teachers in developing countries, we know that many more students will benefit for years to come. We have seen this happen in Senegal as we traveled there in 2012 and have now seen the educational initiatives in the schools we worked with explode! Last year, two of the teachers we worked with closely were chosen to take part in a teacher exchange program which led them to start developing their own program proposals in their home city. Within the last month they have launched their programs and crowned a Miss Math and Miss Science in Saint-Louis! While it was not a direct effect of EDGE’s efforts, we can see the correlation of empowering and encouraging teachers to use the resources available to them and the subsequent successes they achieve because of that empowerment.
You can be a part of helping to make ripples in African education this summer. Partner with us and see what a difference your contributions make when you see new leaders emerging and new initiatives being born out our efforts to empower local teachers.
Visit our website to find out how you can get involved, whether by funding our team, joining us as a teacher, or donating books or technological devices.
—————-
Follow our journeys or connect and say hi on any of our social media sites! And keep your eyes out for our podcast hoping to air in March 2015 #linkdbyedge!
twitter: @EDGEinstitute
facebook: EDGE Institute
Instagram: @EDGEInstitute
EDGE Institute is a legally registered 501(c)3 organization currently operating out of Washington D.C. All donations will receive a tax-deductible receipt.
About Kylie Barker
Kylie is the Founder and Educational Director of EDGE Institute. She is a writer, traveler, and teacher. She’s taught on four continents since 2010, working with students from kindergarten to middle school, university, and adults. She has a passion for using education to make an impact that will empower future generations to make a difference. She is a wife and mother of one very cute little boy. Kylie has completed a B.A. in Cross-Cultural Education, M.A. in Applied Linguistics, and CELTA.
About Jeremy Barker
Jeremy is passionate about seeing engagement that makes a difference happen between cultures and people. He serves as the Communications and Operations Director of EDGE Institute. He has also worked as a journalist, human rights advocate, and aid worker. Since 2010 he has lived or worked in the Middle East working especially on the protection of basic rights and freedoms, with a particular focus on religious minorities. He has a Bachelor’s degree in History and Masters degrees in Cross-Cultural Studies and International Relations. He is a husband and dad of one very cute little boy.
