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Purpose of ProjectThe purpose of this project is to empower young women to reach their potential as individuals and to elevate their communities. I will accomplish this by establishing an after-school enrichment program for girls at my school.
Rationale
In an environment where school accountability requirements lead urban schools to focus academic resources on preparation for high-stakes tests, the public school curriculum loses much of richness of education that would develop students into powerful participants in their communities. Students may learn to read, write, and do math, but are often left underprepared to solve the more complex equations of life. The adults these students will become will lack the human capital necessary to create thriving communities.
The quality of life of women in particular is directly influenced by the women’s ability to participate meaningfully in their communities (UNIFEM, 2008, p.2). The proposed after-school program (hereafter “the program”) will, therefore, focus on girls. It will provide empowering educational experiences that do not fit within the school-day curriculum. This program will reinforce girls’ sense of their inherent value, provide a safe environment for grappling with issues of adolescence, connect girls to other parts of the globe through study of foreign cultures and languages, and give opportunities implement projects that improve the status of women.
The girls will emerge feeling a sense of responsibility and capacity to influence what happens around them. Their families and communities will benefit from the girls’ ability to engage in decision-making. They will experience both less conflict and improved economic development because of the girls’ problem-solving skills and global perspective.
Method
Content
Empowerment of girls through the program will be accomplished by addressing these three aims: first, academic enrichment, primarily foreign language and culture; second, addressing of issues relevant to girls; third, participation in a project that improves life for women. Participants in the program will give feedback about the outline of the curriculum, which I will adjust according to their responses and interests.
Academic enrichment.
There is currently no foreign language instruction at my school. Enrichment will focus on global language and culture, as well as science and technology. Participants will receive basic language instruction in French, Mandarin Chinese, and Italian. They will learn to introduce themselves and have a simple conversation in each language. Cultures of the nations of France, China, Italy, Australia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan will also be highlighted, including food, traditions, dance, clothing, everyday life, government, history, and national values. Particular emphasis will be given to the status of women in each of these cultures: for example, education, life expectancy, number of children, civic participation.
The curriculum will integrate science and technology problem-solving activities into the cultural studies. For example, the study of France provides opportunities to have participants design towers or bridges; the study of China allows for learning how to address climate change.
Issues of adolescence.
Part of the curriculum will be discussing what it means to be a young teenage female in this city. This includes issues involving self image, family responsibilities, substance abuse, sexuality, domestic violence, and conflict resolution. Participants will read discuss the book Stargirl by JS as basis for discussions on tolerance, loyalty, and individuality.
Project.
The culminating aspect of the program will be a project intended to improve the lives of girls of comparable age in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Participants will plan, publicize, and implement the Pennies for Peace project, which raises money in the form of pennies for schools that teach girls in Central Asia. Participants in the program will read Three Cups of Tea by GM and DOR and compare their access to education with that of girls in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Logistics
The program will meet for two hours every two weeks. A group of students who have already expressed interest in the program will recruit other girls through word of mouth and posters. Morning announcements will invite other interested participants. I will also consult the trust counselor for names of others who would benefit from after-school enrichment.
Necessary Resources
Financial
I will seek two grants. The first is a foundational Community Grant of about $4,000 from WFM. This will require communication with representatives of WFM to understand their grant-making process and how to submit a strong application.
The second grant would be from DChoose. It would provide a set of copies of Stargirl and one of Three Cups of Tea, as well as poster supplies and journals for participants. This requires submitting a profile and project proposal on [the website].
Human
Experts whose knowledge is beyond my reach are necessary. I can provide basic language instruction in French and Italian, but I need to find a guest instructor for Mandarin Chinese. I will consult the M.O.ChineseAssociation and the ChineseLanguage School to find personnel. I will consult friends who are engineers for relevant science and technology projects. The trust counselor at the school will be essential for the issues of adolescence aspect of the content.
Intellectual
The knowledge gained from other local organizations with similar missions will be absolutely crucial to this program’s success. The group BIB operates at the elementary school that feeds to the middle school where I work. I will consult them for how to integrate meaningful sessions and possibly operate some joint gatherings. The BandGC program, SGirls, could serve as a partner in the self-image part of the curriculum.
Supports
I expect intellectual and social support to come from the organizations I have identified that have similar missions. I hope to recruit other teachers who are impressed with the program, especially first-year TforA teachers who could continue it when I leave the school.
Impediments
The most significant impediment I expect is transportation. Most students ride the bus to and from school. Parent cooperation in allowing students to remain at school and getting them home will be crucial. I will find parents who may be willing to participate in carpools through the participants. Meetings will be biweekly to minimize complications with travel.
There may be conflict between my program and after-school tutoring through Supplementary Educational Services (SES). The purpose of SES is in part to prepare students for standardized tests, so I will make sure my program is academically strengthening to minimize opposition.
