When you open a book, who knows what new knowledge may be waiting for you inside? Or what ideas that knowledge may spark. The most important job of the teachers at Misiera Primary School is to infuse their students with knowledge - with excitement over new ideas and windows to the world. But without access to books, they felt a little stuck. They have some books. But not enough for every student. And certainly not enough for every teacher to have a copy, too. The teachers were struggling to make lesson plans - and the students don't have much time with the books they need to study. To really absorb the material. Giving wings to the mind is a whole lot easier when books are close at hand...So we got to work! We got the Misiera's teachers a bounty of books and the textbooks they needed - and they were so happy. "These books help us make lesson plans," said Phoebe, one of the teachers. "The textbooks are so exciting!" Books help to unlock potential. To lift … [Read more...] about Give Wings to the Mind

You know those things that you never really think about until you really need them? Things like socks. Stamps. Envelopes. Paper towels. They're not very exciting...but when you're searching for that matching pair of socks in the morning and coming up short, there's nothing in that moment you need more. For the teachers of Misiera primary school, that missing thing was tape and glue. They wanted to do arts and crafts with their students. But whenever they set out to get creative, they were limited with the tools to cut and paste. It was clear that for these teachers, tape and glue were sort of like those matching socks - not there when you really need them. Luckily for us, we could step right in. We supplied some glue, wood glue, and tape to these crafty teachers. Don't you wish someone could sweep in, just in the nick of time, when you can't find that pesky stamp? Or paper towel? That one matching green sock...? Today, we could be those people for the teachers of … [Read more...] about There When You Need It

There's a reason why teachers like posters in their classrooms. They're colorful and inspirational. They can spark a student's creativity and dreams. And, they're just fun. The walls of Misiera primary school were bare. The teachers saw this as a missed opportunity - an opportunity to add some life and excitement to their classrooms. “We use the charts for learning in class," said a teacher named Phiona. "When they're hung, people can keep learning even when a teacher is not around.” We loved Phiona’s idea - and thought it was perfect for 365. We found a local school supply store that had just the thing the teachers were looking for! Charts for learning to count, biological diagrams, and the alphabet all laminated and ready for hanging. As the teachers unrolled the new teaching materials, the classrooms began to brighten up and fill with color, just as the teachers had dreamed. There's nothing wrong with a little fun and color in the classroom. Especially … [Read more...] about Don’t be Afraid to Have Fun

A good night's sleep impacts everything. How you look at the day's challenges. How you spend your time. Even the quality of your work. For teachers, a good night's sleep helps prepare them to match the energy of their students. But without mattresses, their chances of that blissful eight hours weren't very high. Most of the teachers at Nakivale Refugee Settlement are sleeping on tile floors. These floors are hard and cold at night. Some teachers do have mattresses, but they're old, thin, and falling apart at the seams. So when the teachers of Nakivale asked for some mattresses, we jumped right on the case! We packed up a large truck of mattresses and brought it into the school. The faces of the teachers spoke volumes. Excitement and thanks washed over them as we unloaded the mattresses. “These mattresses are very helpful to us," said one teacher named Milly, "because our homes are very far away. Normally we can only bring a small mattress from so far. Now we can … [Read more...] about Sleep on It

Walking into a kids' classroom, there's always a certain feel to the place. Posters on the wall, coloring supplies stashed in the corner. Pencils and markers overflowing from desks. It just feels full. But in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, some of the classrooms were feeling empty. In many of the schools in the camp, these abundant supplies you normally see in classrooms are limited or even nonexistent. And teachers wanted to do something about it. At the request of Nakivale's teachers, we brought books, writing utensils, dictionaries, and posters! All of the things that make learning possible. The items were a huge hit. Especially the posters! One teacher held up a map of Africa poster and proudly pointed to Uganda. Every student deserves to be surrounded by the tools of learning. These teachers wanted that for their students. And today, we got to make that wish come true. This day of change brought to you by Edmentum's We Can Learn Foundation … [Read more...] about Adding a Little Means a Lot

When you're far from home, what are the things that bring you comfort? How do you make a place feel like home away from home? It's not always easy, but the teachers at Nakivale Refugee Settlement make home wherever they are. They live at the schools they work in, which means that they're far from family and those they hold dear. Their fellow teachers and students become their second family. But at Ruhoko Primary School, there were a few things missing that would make their school dwellings feel a whole lot more like their own. There simply weren't enough kitchen supplies. They were missing little things - like a good mug that actually keeps your tea warm, or enough plates for the whole staff to eat at once. Those details that add up to comfort and belonging. The fix was easy. Cups, mugs, plates, kettles, ladles, and cooking pots. A complete kitchen. A feeling of being whole. Making home wherever you are isn't always as simple as kitchen supplies. It's an … [Read more...] about Make Home Wherever You Are

The teachers at Kabahinda primary school had one more request for their school. Sometimes, they said, it's tough to just keep the school and the school's latrines clean. They didn't have the tools to make a clean environment possible. Sometimes, when you see a problem that needs solving, you have to take a situation into your own hands. That's what these teachers wanted to do. And we wanted to help them. We got new brooms to sweep away all of the dust that gets tracked in from all over Nakivale. We also got soap - for cleansing the latrine floors and sanitizing classrooms. “We need to protect our learners," said Edgar, the head teacher. "That's why this is so important." These teachers have a number one priority - and that's keeping their students safe. They give everything to their students. And now, that includes a cleaner classroom. This day of change brought to you by Edmentum's We Can Learn Foundation … [Read more...] about Keep it Clean

A pickup game of basketball, soccer, or football is one of the best ways to bond with friends - especially for kids. Whether it's getting out there and moving your body, or meeting new people, sports have a special way of bringing everyone together. The teachers of Kabahinda Primary School know how powerful group sports can be for their students. So they had a simple request. More sports! “Sports for teachers and students are important," said the head teacher Edgar. "When they're active, their minds are calm. When they play outside, they come back to class and think more clearly.” Now, both the students and teachers will be able to calm their minds with volleyball, badminton, and soccer! These teachers are such superheroes. Even in their requests for themselves, they are focused on making sure it can benefit their students. What a great example to the next generation they're helping to grow! This day of change brought to you by Edmentum's We Can Learn … [Read more...] about More Sports, Please!

One thing we hear a lot in refugee settlements is the need for sanitary pads. Especially when you talk to teachers - they're especially tuned into this need because they see first-hand what happens when students don't have access to them. Sometimes, it can mean the difference of whether or not a girl stays in school. One school in Nakivale told us just that. So today, we decided to show up with some help. We brought pads, underwear, and soap to the school. After everyone had their own set of supplies, the group let out a loud cheer of excitement! “These will make a big, big difference to the students,” one teacher told us. Pads and underwear can go a long way in making sure that these young girls are feeling confident and ready for class. For today, these students can rest assured that we've got them covered. This day of change brought to you by Edmentum's We Can Learn Foundation … [Read more...] about Staying in School

You know that story grandpa told you about needing to walk miles in the snow, just to get to school?That story is real life right now for school kids in Nakivale. There's no snow, but there are bumpy, dusty roads. Many children all over the settlement lives miles and miles away from their school. Getting there takes time. And it's also hard on your feet - especially if you don't have shoes. Today, at the request of the teachers of Kabahinda primary school, we set out to make that epic trek not exactly shorter, but definitely easier. We laid out all of the shoes for the children to see, and one by one they chose what pair and size they wanted. There was so much excitement - and pride - as they picked out their very own pair. “These kids travel long distances to school," said the head teacher. "And many of them don’t have shoes. These shoes will help protect theirs little feet and carry them to their school safely.” These kids will still have bragging rights when … [Read more...] about New Kicks