Empowering the Leaders of Tomorrow, By Supporting their Education Today!

Since I was a child, I have always dreamt of changing the world. At the time, I hardly even knew what change meant. I’ve always had ideas bigger than I knew what to do with. Growing up, I used education as a way to question life and the circumstances of those around me. In order to change the world, I felt like I had to learn how to communicate my big ideas in a creative, cohesive, and comprehensive way.

During my undergraduate studies, I finally found a way to use my natural gift of gab for something greater. My freshman year I joined the debate team at the University of La Verne. Debate introduced me to like-minded individuals that understood the importance of diverse perspectives in addressing social issues. As a first generation college graduate, I truly recognize the transformational power of equipping young people with rhetorical skills.

Currently, I am pursing my master’s degree in Social Entrepreneurship & Change at Pepperdine University. While it may sound fancy, the program simply focuses on how to build businesses and organizations that “Do Good (for the world), and Do Well (financially)”. As a part of our program, we must commit to a global experience doing service with an organization in a developing country. When I found out about the iDebate Rwanda program, I saw myself in each of the students and volunteers. And I fell absolutely in love with all the great work they are doing!

Where You Come In ♡

Help us raise $5000 to support iDebate Rwanda in continuing to empower students, teachers, and communities across the country!

Goals:

1. Enhance the organization’s ability to produce educational/informational content internally. Addressing education equity between public and private schools is an ongoing issue Rwanda. Increasing iDebate’s ability to produce in-house content helps students and teachers because information can be distributed online or through their virtual learning platform. See an example here!

2. Increase access to relevant books and reading material for students & volunteers. Literacy is of the utmost importance to the iDebate. However, gaining access to relevant books can be a challenge for most Rwandans. Donated books can often times be scarce or not applicable to the lives of young Rwandans. In order to keep their minds sharp, a small fund will go towards new reading materials.

3. Ensure that students & teachers from rural or public schools have the resources to participate in iDebate programs. Underfunding and a lack of quality resources limit the potential of students and teachers within rural or public schools in Rwanda. However, we have the power to support their success! With just $1500 per year, an entire school of 25-40 students, can participate in the iDebate Rwanda programs. Additional training and resources will be offered to teachers to assure student success.

Your donation, despite the financial amount, means the world to this community of leaders and learners. Together we can uplift the next generation of world changers!

iDebate Rwanda Official Site

Additional Information:

Equipment & Production Needs - $2500

• Lighting Equipment

◦ Amaran 100d / 200d X

◦ C stand for lights

◦ Speed light

• Audio Equipment

◦ Shotgun/Boom Mic

◦ DJI wireless Mic

• Production Equipment

◦ Tripods/Monopods

◦ DJI RSC 3

Budget for Books - $1000

◦ For students & volunteers

◦ For the iDebate Team

◦ Costs for Shipping (if purchased online/in the U.S.)

Earmarked funds for rural/public schools - $1500

◦ 1 Full iDebate Program year at a new school in Rwanda

◦ OR additional resources for existing partnerships with schools