Written by Nancy Gikandi, Learning and Evaluation Manager

Learning and continuous improvement is at the heart of Dignitas. As one of our organizational values, we recognize our role in driving individual, team, and organizational learning, and its deep connection to our impact upon schools and communities.

Despite the uncertainties and challenges of 2020, the organizational learning culture did not stop. In 2020, Dignitas innovated a program design (Leaders of Learning) that enabled children to meaningfully engage in learning whilst at home, with the support of their teachers and school leaders. Due to the Covid-19 related restrictions and prolonged school closures, we relied on technology and online platforms such as Zoom, WhatsApp, and our bespoke Messenger Chatbot to plan and implement the Leaders of Learning Project. Using technology for sustainability was one of our 2020 strategic goals, and the year’s unique challenges fast-tracked this course. Throughout the year, the team continuously reflected and reviewed MEL data and insights, and while at it, ensured documentation of all the lessons learnt.

The 2020 lessons (documented by the team, and captured on the word cloud to the right) have been extremely helpful, with the team meaningfully responding to these learnings in their work.  The team have been intentional about applying lessons learned, and actioning insights in the design, implementation, and evaluation of 2021 programming. In 2021, Dignitas has so far trained over 650 School Leaders in Nairobi, Machakos, Kisumu, Homabay, and Laikipia North, reaching over 80% of the School Leaders in the active cohorts. Our incredible team worked diligently over the last few months to ensure the first round of 2021 Leadership Academies was a success, and the success was fueled by learning from our wealth of experience.

“An organization’s ability to learn, and translate that learning into action rapidly, is the ultimate competitive advantage” ∼ Jack Welch