[et_pb_section fullwidth=”on” specialty=”off” transparent_background=”off” background_color=”#f2f0ec” allow_player_pause=”off” inner_shadow=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” padding_mobile=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” make_equal=”off” use_custom_gutter=”off”][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title admin_label=”Fullwidth Post Title” title=”on” meta=”on” author=”off” date=”on” categories=”on” comments=”on” featured_image=”on” featured_placement=”above” parallax_effect=”on” parallax_method=”on” text_orientation=”center” text_color=”light” text_background=”on” text_bg_color=”#81b5ba” module_bg_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)” title_all_caps=”on” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” /][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section transparent_background=”off” background_color=”#f2f0ec” allow_player_pause=”off” inner_shadow=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” padding_mobile=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” make_equal=”off” use_custom_gutter=”off”][et_pb_row make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” use_custom_gutter=”off” padding_mobile=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” make_equal=”off”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] Wezesha means ENABLE in Swahili and it’s the name of our small grants program. Dignitas recognizes many schools in marginalized communities lack the basic level of infrastructure necessary to begin improving education quality. We seek to empower schools by preparing educators to independently seek financial stability and external support. As such, Dignitas provides small grants to partner schools and uses this process to coach school staff on resource acquisition and maintenance skills. In August, we launched Wezesha 2015 and invited our partner schools to submit applications for up to $1000 in funding towards small infrastructure and learning resource projects. After receiving the applications, our teams conducted a series of due diligence visits to discuss the projects with school leaders, teachers, and the school community and ensure suitability. Rather than give the schools cash, Dignitas manages the Wezesha project implementation and uses the process to introduce and train schools on financial management. After conducting due diligence visits, our team collected quotes and begun project implementation. In 2015 we implemented Wezesha projects in 14 schools! [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” transparent_background=”off” background_color=”#215265″ allow_player_pause=”off” inner_shadow=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” padding_mobile=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” make_equal=”off” use_custom_gutter=”off”][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_number_counter admin_label=”Number Counter” title=”Learning Resources Distributed” number=”2,750″ percent_sign=”off” counter_color=”#81b5ba” background_layout=”dark” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” /][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_number_counter admin_label=”Number Counter” title=”Worth of Grant Projects Implemented” number=”$15,500″ percent_sign=”off” counter_color=”#e7b721″ background_layout=”dark” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” /][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_number_counter admin_label=”Number Counter” title=”Students Benefitted” number=”5,242″ percent_sign=”off” counter_color=”#ced8ba” background_layout=”dark” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” /][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fullwidth=”on” specialty=”off” transparent_background=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” inner_shadow=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” padding_mobile=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” make_equal=”off” use_custom_gutter=”off”][et_pb_fullwidth_image admin_label=”Fullwidth Image” src=”https://dignitasproject.org/assets/uploads/2016/01/Zeal-Covenant-Academy-After-Receiving-Desks.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” animation=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” /][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off”][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”School 1 Title” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

Light Christian Education Centre

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_image admin_label=”School 1 Before Image” src=”https://dignitasproject.org/assets/uploads/2016/01/LCE-before.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” animation=”off” sticky=”off” align=”left” force_fullwidth=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” /][et_pb_text admin_label=”‘Before’ Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

Before

At Light Christian, there was one desk for every four students, which was uncomfortable and distracting. Community schools mainly rely on small school fees to cover costs, meaning there is often a tight budget. Light Christian school leaders had to prioritize paying teachers’ salaries over buying new desks. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_image admin_label=”School 1 After Image” src=”https://dignitasproject.org/assets/uploads/2016/01/LCE-after.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” animation=”off” sticky=”off” align=”left” force_fullwidth=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” /][et_pb_text admin_label=”‘After’ Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

After

Light Christian received 42 student desks and chairs. The new desks allow students to sit comfortably, provide sufficient work space, and provide storage for school supplies. They have been working hard and have high hopes of passing their forthcoming examinations.   [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”School 3 Title” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

Excel School

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_image admin_label=”School 3 Before Image” src=”https://dignitasproject.org/assets/uploads/2016/01/Excel-school-before-1.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” animation=”off” sticky=”off” align=”left” force_fullwidth=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” /][et_pb_text admin_label=”‘Before’ Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

Before

Excel School in Kangemi has over 800 students enrolled but lacked the funds to create a safe learning environment. The classrooms were built with iron sheets that were damaged and torn. This created a high risk of theft and also injury to students. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″][et_pb_image admin_label=”School 3 After Image” src=”https://dignitasproject.org/assets/uploads/2016/01/Excel-school-after.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” animation=”off” sticky=”off” align=”left” force_fullwidth=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” /][et_pb_text admin_label=”‘After’ Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

After

The school community had been unable to proceed with repairs in the past, despite having committed to do so, due to the expenses involved. Dignitas repaired a total of 9 classrooms to ensure that Excel students have a secure learning space and to inspire future improvements. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” transparent_background=”off” background_color=”#215265″ allow_player_pause=”off” inner_shadow=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” padding_mobile=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” make_equal=”off” use_custom_gutter=”off”][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”center” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]

“Every child deserves a quality education to prepare them for the future challenges of life as responsible members of our society – because the nation depends on them!”

– Teacher Collins, Umoja Primary School

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fullwidth=”off” specialty=”off” transparent_background=”off” background_color=”#f2f0ec” allow_player_pause=”off” inner_shadow=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” padding_mobile=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” make_equal=”off” use_custom_gutter=”off”][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]   Follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to stay up-to-date with all we are doing to transform schools in Kenya! [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]