Africa Education & Leadership Initiative
Africa Education and Leadership Initiative (Africa ELI) formerly known as New Sudan Education Initiative (NESEI) is a non-profit organization that is based in Knoxville, TN focused on bridging gender gaps in southern Sudan through education. Africa ELI is registered as an international non-governmental organization through the Government of southern Sudan (GOSS) Ministry of Legal Affairs. Operations in Sudan are based in Yei, south Sudan.
Africa ELI is dedicated to educating young women in southern Sudan to take the lead in creating healthier families, sustainable livelihoods, and constructive social interaction. The organization believes that educated women remain in their communities to lead in crucial areas; family life, health and hygiene, sustainable agricultural practices, and business enterprise.
Name Change
Africa ELI was renamed from New Sudan Education Initiative Ltd (NESEI) in April 2010, due to the political interpretation of “New Sudan” ideology.
History
Africa ELI was first conceived in January 2004, on a plane ride from East Africa to Vermont, when Robert Lair, a faculty member at Saint Michael's College, and Atem Deng, a former Sudanese refugee and student at the University of Vermont, decided that they needed to make an impact in southern Sudan, after witnessing the poor living conditions and lack of education opportunities affecting Sudanese in refugee camps across East Africa. The organization was created after a Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed in 2005, bringing the conflict in southern Sudan to an official close. The CPA created a critical opportunity for development to take place in this region. In January 2006 Africa ELI was founded.
Since its founding Africa ELI has established itself as an effective, credible entity in southern Sudan by forming lasting relationships, creating in-country partnerships and surpassing yearly education goals. While Africa ELI”s primary source of funding is private donations, the organization received start-up funding from the World Bank and support from Winrock International as an implementing partner.
Core Objectives
Africa ELI empowers girls by bridging gender gaps through secondary education in southern Sudan. We aim to achieve:
- Increased access to education for girls
- Improved quality education and learning environment
- Higher student retention rates and reduced at-risk behaviors
- Enhanced leadership skills
- Improved English language comprehension and verbal competence
Programs
Girls Rising Scholarship
The Girls Rising Scholarship provides the financial resources most girls in southern Sudan need to attend school. Today only 1% of girls attend school past the 7th grade. This scholarship pays school fees, provides room & board, medical supplies, classroom materials, and uniforms.
Morchinkegem Academic & Sports Scholarship
The Morchinkegem Academic & Sports Scholarship (MASS) aims to build peaceful coexistence through education and sports. The scholarship is offered to both boys and girls.
Girls Education Movement (GEM)
GEM clubs focus on both girls and boys, with emphasis on girls’ taking the lead and the boy as strategic allies, encouraging and supporting each other to stay in school. In response to a request from the education sector of UNICEF, Africa ELI began facilitating training-of-trainers for GEM in 2009 in Yei River Country, Central Equatoria.
Holiday School
Supplemental classes taught in various learning styles are provided during school term breaks in May and September. Holiday school is a program developed and implemented by Africa ELI. Holiday school improves comprehension of the standard curriculum and promotes specialized skills for livelihood development. Subject taught: Physics, English, chemistry, biology, agriculture, and commerce. Extra-curricular activities: introduction to computers, sewing, health and community outreach, and sports.
Get Healthy
Commonly referred to as the “mobile clinic,” Africa ELI students promote and take part in health initiatives with their community. The mobile clinic is jointly done by the hospital staff of Yei Civic Hospital, teachers, volunteers, and students. Students educate hospital patients about basic health care practices taught to them in school and through group discussions with doctors, nurses, and teachers. The two mobile clinic themes in 2010 were: Fight Malaria, Use a Treated Mosquito Net and Keep Your Environment Clean.
School Clinic & Nurse
To improve student health, Africa ELI supports a nurse at Yei Girls Boarding School and supplies medication and basic health needs for students.
Life Skill & Career Development
Green Club builds skills for small scale agriculture projects. Students plant and harvest at our school gardens. The produce is used in our schools to promote nutrition and cut down on the cost of purchasing food items. Also the students raise chickens and rabbits.
Computer Classes are offered where students learn basic computer skills and knowledge.
“Girls Talk” are routine meetings between students and Africa ELI staff that provides a safe place to discuss issues facing female teenagers in south Sudan. Topics such as [...] reproductive health, social relationships, and career goals are explored.
Sewing and Creative Arts are taught during basic sewing and craft projects. Students learn how to design, measure and cut patterns to sew clothing and domestic decorations, mend torn items and create jewelry.