Givology - give to learn, learn to give

Givology: Blogs

• Happy New Year!

  Friday, January 11, 2019 at 02:45:31 PM by Givology Staff

  Happy New Year from Givology! We wish you all a wonderful 2019!
  
  At the start of every year, our team defines our resolutions. Each of us shares a personal goal related to the work that we do individually, as well as a team goal that we want to collectively accomplish. As a 100% volunteer-run organization, our ability to support our students and schools depends on the passion, dedication, and creativity of our team.
  
  While personal goals ranged from creating more Givology video content and [url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/givology-impact-series-podcast/id1271456774?mt=2]publishing more podcasts [/url]to stepping up recruiting efforts to a broader base, the key team priority that emerged was to set up the right infrastructure for the next 10 years to come. This involves a major technology overhaul to improve our user experience on the website and to streamline the giving process. Stay tuned for further announcements of Givology 3.0!
  
  Last year, we celebrated our 10th anniversary with a spectacular gala in NYC where 100% of the net proceeds went to support the Peach Foundation, our first partner. [url=https://prezi.com/a5cuk99oycwr/givology-10-years-strong/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy]We’ve put together a presentation to highlight our milestones[/url].
  
  As always, the work we do to fundraise and build awareness & support for our grassroots partners depends on our team and community. We welcome your feedback and engagement. Whether $1 or 1 hour, we believe that the aggregation of small dollars and small hours can drive a movement of change.
  
• Impact Series Podcast: Iskren Kulev of KindLink

  Thursday, December 13, 2018 at 05:48:01 AM by Givology Staff

  [font=OpenSansRegular, arial, sans-serif][img]/images/user/1842_8587400595872401786.png[/img][/font]
  [color=#339900]“ Simply going on a computer, logging in, we need to use this browse ... might be very very natural for the young generation but for the older generation and for charities, especially charity executives, it is a change of mindset.”[/color] [url=https://ctt.ac/g7YAU]Click to Tweet[/url]
  Guest: Iskren Kulev
  Hosted By: Yejide Obisesan
  
  [b][i]Subscribe and listen more of the [/i][/b][url=https://soundcloud.com/givology][b][i]Givology Impact Series here[/i][/b][/url]
  For more [color=#339900]Givology [/color]follow us on:
  [font=OpenSansRegular, arial, sans-serif]Twitter [/font][url=https://twitter.com/Givology]@Givology[/url]
  [font=OpenSansRegular, arial, sans-serif]Instagram [/font][url=https://www.instagram.com/givology/?hl=en]@givology[/url]
  Started in 2015, [color=#339900]KindLink[/color] is a Tech4Good company dedicated to creating a transparent charity sector and helping companies manage and promote all their corporate social responsibility activities. It is platform where the donor can connect with the entire value chain of their donation and observe the payment flow, the work of the charity they donated to and connect with the final beneficiary.
  [color=#339900]Iskren Kulev[/color], CEO and Founder of KindLink, started his career with a sales/technical role in online payment at Paysafe Group and continued through to work with iZettle, one of the hottest financial tech start-ups that was recently sold to PayPal. Armed with that experience and an MBA, he moved forward to start KindLink.
  In this episode, we talk to Iskren about transparency in giving, passion for the problems, and the beauty of rule breaking.
  
  [color=#339900]H I G H L I G H T [/color]
  We support over 700 non-profit organizations globally; from Africa to US, Canada and UK. Our business clients work internationally with charities in Nepal, South Africa and Uganda. I believe this is one of our biggest accomplishments…being able to support more than 10,000 beneficiaries, changes the way we see our work. I can say that, for me, this is the most important thing about our jobs.
  [font=OpenSansRegular, arial, sans-serif][img]/images/user/1842_10156384201637123323.png[/img][/font]
  [color=#339900]S H O W - N O T E S[/color]
  -The Third Sector Lagging Behind: KindLink’s mission & closing the gap between the non-profit sector and technology. [[b]1:28[/b]]
  -The Non-Profit Toolkit: One of the many things that sets KindLink apart [[b]3:28[/b]]
  [b]-[/b]Hard sell? Not even close: How they built up their customer base and partnerships from the ground up [[b]7:53][/b]
  -“ I knew nothing”: Iskren’s pivot from financial technology and how he and his partner’s backgrounds informed their work in a new sector [[b]12:34][/b]
  [b]-[/b]700,10,000, 4100 & the BBC? : Some of the triumphs of KindLink [[b]17:32][/b]
  [b]-[/b]Money and Fear with a Lot of Passion Thrown In: How KindLink stays so agile in this sector [[b]19:26][/b]
  [b]-[/b]The Atypical Startup & Breaking the Myth of CSR: clarity of vision from day one to current projects and initiatives [[b]24:12][/b]
  -The Measures of Impact: Empowering everyone in the giving process [[b]31:34][/b]
  [b]-[/b]The Highlights and the Pain Points: The community’s response to their work [[b]34:30][/b]
  [b]-[/b]The Future of KindLink and How You Can Play a Part [[b]40:43][/b]
  [b]-[/b]The Lightning Round! [[b]44:01][/b]
  
  [color=#339900]R E F E R E N C E S [/color]
  -Check out Iskren’s book recommendation [url=https://www.amazon.com/Founders-Dilemmas-Anticipating-Foundation-Entrepreneurship/dp/0691158304]The Founder's Dilemmas: Anticipating and Avoiding the Pitfalls That Can Sink a Startup[/url] by Noam Wasserman
  -Remember that BBC News reference? Check it out! [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwNnNSxabtY]KindLink highlight[/url]
  -Explore the [url=https://www.kindlink.com/]KindLink website[/url] to learn more about their mission and [url=https://resources.kindlink.com/]resources [/url]for corporations and [url=https://www.kindlink.org/]charities[/url] alike
  
  [font=OpenSansRegular, arial, sans-serif][img]/images/user/1842_6373240109335610839.png[/img][/font]
  
• Happy Thanksgiving! (Day 1 of 10)

  Thursday, November 22, 2018 at 08:48:05 PM by Joyce Meng

  Happy Thanksgiving! As we launch our 10 days for 10 years campaign on this day of thanks, we wanted to express our deep gratitude for all your support. We’ve been able to help our students and schools around the world only because of YOU - our volunteers and our supporters.
  When we started Givology 10 years ago, our vision was to create an online giving community that would support high-impact grassroots education projects around the world. We wanted to create a movement where small dollars and small hours of volunteering can aggregate into a powerful force of change. We believed that no matter if you were a big donor or small donor, everyone deserves transparency and honesty in how funds are being used. We also believed that time is just as valuable as money - that everyone has something to give, and in that process of giving back, the self discovery and compassion that emerges inspires others to act and give.
  In looking back on the last 10 years, while we are proud that we have created a community of 50 partnerships in 30 countries, 20 chapters and over 200 volunteers, and mostly importantly, helped thousands of students through school projects and direct scholarships, we set ourselves higher goals for the next 10 years to come. We are driven because we feel the urgency of the need to act today in an increasingly less compassionate and more polarized world.
  There are so many stories from our Givology network but I will share just one - in fact, a letter written from a Peach student Huang Wen Xue who we have supported through Givology. She writes:
  [i]“The challenges that we face in life will undoubtedly stick with us, but it shouldn't be something that brings us down. I am the second girl, positive and full of sunshine. The challenges that I have faced has shaped me into who I am today.[/i]
  [i]I used to get sick a lot when I was young, and my parents had to use up a lot of money because of me. I even stayed at the hospital for two months, and even though I was only five at the time, I couldn't help thinking that my parents could have just left me on the streets. But they didn't, and for that I am very grateful. Soon after I recovered and went home to continue my education, my parents had to help my brother build a house as he was going to get married soon. But my brother got into an accident. His death put a lot of stress on my family, and as a result, my grandmother passed away too. At the time, the burial of two people cost a lot of money, so from then on, my family was in a lot of debt. [/i]
  [i]For a farmer's household like ours, sons are very important, and due to my parent's traditional ways of thinking, my younger brother was born. The financial burden grew heavier and heavier. My parents worked hard, and we worked hard on our studies. Our grandparents also helped. My sister is in high school now and I am currently in year 9. All that my parents can do is to continue to work hard. While our situation is much better today, the financial burden might get heavier in the future. But I shouldn't think about quitting school. I endured all those hardships and survived, I will not give up. [/i]
  [i]The challenges of growing up might not be something that you want to experience, but it is actually not as scary as it seems, because only in times of difficulty can we better ourselves.”[/i]
  The core belief of Givology is that every child deserves a quality education - that if we convince thousands of people to give $1 or 1 hour that we can can create a movement of change. The mission is very personal to all of us.
  Think of a teacher who transformed the way you think, the networks that you have created through your schools, and the comfort of knowing that because of your good education, even if your job doesn’t work out, you have the capability to find another one with confidence. Imagine not having this.
  More so today than ever, the work of Givology volunteers and our partner organizations becomes even more important. You may be sad or angry when you turn on the news these days. You may feel like no one cares. You may feel like nothing matters. But I am telling you that it does. We are a small organization but in you reading this today, in you volunteering and donating here today, in you sharing our message and our organization mission, we will fight for students like Huang Wen Xue one at a time. A movement starts one step at a time. One student at time.
  
  [img]/images/user/5_6587353233023739473.png[/img]
  
• 10 days of Givology

  Monday, November 19, 2018 at 02:58:09 PM by Givology Staff

  2018 marks the 10th year of Givology! Truly, the students scholarships, library and computer lab renovations, teacher training, empowerment programs, among many more education projects that we’ve done over the last 10 years wouldn’t be possible with YOU our supporters and our volunteers.
  During this holiday season and reflecting back on how education has changed our lives, we all have so much to be grateful for. Think of a teacher who transformed the way you think, the networks that you have created through your schools, and the career opportunities that opened as a result of your education. Now we have a chance to pay it forward by supporting education projects and student scholarships globally through Givology’s network of high-impact grassroots partners.
  To celebrate 10 years of Givology, we have 10 days of activities starting from Thanksgiving and spanning to December 1st. Here’s an outline of events.
  [b]November 22, 2018 (Day 1) - Day of Thanks[/b]
  Thanksgiving is a day of thanks! On social media, we’ll share stories of gratitude from our network of students, schools, chapters, and volunteers
  [b]November 23, 2018 (Day 2) - Education Facts[/b]
  What is the state of global education today? We’ll be releasing facts on the hour about the progress achieved to date, as well as the key areas that still remain unaddressed
  [b]November 24, 2018 (Day 3) - Givology Giveaways[/b]
  Our Amazon book ([url=https://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Store-Givology/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n%3A133140011%2Cp_27%3AGivology]#GiveInspiration: How to Give Effectively[/url]) is free today! Also for any donation over $20 on our site, we will send out complimentary Givology gifts, including Givology T-shirts and 100% recycled leather wallets.
  [b]November 25, 2018 (Day 4) - Volunteer Drive[/b]
  [url=https://www.givology.org/get-involved/]Pledge to volunteer with Givology! [/url]Our philosophy is that time is just as valuable as money and that small hours and small hours aggregate into a powerful force of change. On social media, we’ll also share stories from our volunteer network.
  [b]November 26, 2018 (Day 5) - #giveinspiration [/b]
  It’s our day of positivity! We’ll be sharing inspiring quotes and stories from thought leaders in education who we admire greatly. For each ‘share’ of our posts, a board member has pledged to donate 10 cents. We’ll tally the final amount and let everyone know the final amount raised!
  [b]November 27, 2018 (Day 6) - #givingtuesday and 100% matching [/b]
  Giving Tuesday was started in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation, and has since become a nation-wide movement. For our #givingTuesday campaign, we’re matching donations 100% on Givology and asking donors to share their reflections of giving back on social media. For anyone who shares, we’ll send a $5 gift card.
  [b]November 28, 2018 (Day 7) - Featuring Chapters and In-Kind Technology Donations [/b]
  Our chapters are critical to the work that we do in the community. We’ll feature stories from our chapters and encourage supporters to start their own Givology chapters. We are also looking to collect used laptops, tablets, calculators, e-readers, and other classroom technology items in good condition, with drop off points at our chapters.
  [b]November 29, 2018 (Day 8) - Official Snapchat launch[/b]
  Givology is now on Snapchat! We’ll kick off our Snapchat with stories from our partner and volunteer network.
  [b]November 30, 2018 (Day 9) - Givology Tweetchat with Co-Founders[/b]
  Our co-founders Joyce and Jenn will be on Twitter from 3 PM EDT to 5 PM EDT. You can ask us anything! Just send us questions or comments with the tag #givchat on Twitter and then follow the responses that follow from the Givology account.
  [b]December 1, 2018 (Day 10) - Milestone Recap[/b]
  Thank you so much for a great 10 years, but we are even more fired up for the next 10 years to come. We’re releasing a montage of milestones from the last 10 years, and hope that you can all share ideas and suggestions for the next 10 years.
  
  [img]/images/user/1842_14943284425775911488.png[/img]
  
• What is Education?

  Saturday, November 10, 2018 at 01:59:38 AM by Givology Staff

  Education. We talk about it, criticize it, extol it, promote it. Sometimes it’s perceived as an cookie-cutter process; other times, we see education as a holistic and enlightening experience. Some of us have easy access to it, others none at all. And with so many discrepancies in its applications-look [url=https://www.givology.org/~givologystaff/blog/642203/]here[/url]-it’s different to determine what education’s ideal implementation looks like.
  So, when it comes down it, what exactly is education in the first place? Can we define it at all?
  [font="Times New Roman"] Like a lot of other things, the answers to these questions aren’t exactly simple ones. Different people, who are educators themselves or have received arguably successful educations, all have different opinions on what education’s main purpose is.[/font]
  [font="Times New Roman"] For example, journalist Sydney J. Harris once stated: “the whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.” So, if one were to go with Harris’s opinions, education is an apparatus for individuals to empathize with others-something that encourages one to look outward rather than inward. [/font]
  [font="Times New Roman"] In comparison, psychologist B.F Skinner once described education as “what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten.” Well, now, education is-according to Skinner- essentially the knowledge or information that most deeply impacts an individual on a personal level. [/font]
  [font="Times New Roman"] But then there’s the ancient Greek historian, Plutarch. He once stated that “the very spring and root of honesty and virtue lie in good education.” Education is also, apparently, a vehicle to greater morals and ethics.[/font]
  [font="Times New Roman"] Even the dictionary isn’t sure how to exactly pin education: Oxford first defines education as “the process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university”, but also as, very simply, “an enlightening experience.”[/font]
  [font="Times New Roman"] So, moral of the story: humans can’t seem to pinpoint what the main focus of education should be. Should education be about observing others? Improving one’s morals? Chances are, if you were to factor in the many other opinions about education, doing so would only broaden the scope of answers to that question. [/font]
  [font="Times New Roman"] But- when examining [/font]the the nuanced[font="Times New Roman"] perceptions about education, there’s one overlapping similarity. Education always encourages positive development in the individual lucky enough to receive it. [/font]
  [font="Times New Roman"] As Harris described, education encourages empathy with others, as opposed to a vainer concentration upon oneself; according to Skinner, it gives an individual the ability to outlast the shortcomings of memorization; it makes one more ethically sound, like Plutarch noted; and as the dictionary would say, it just gives you a greater understanding [/font]of[font="Times New Roman"] important topics.[/font]
  All these developments are, objectively speaking, pretty good things. Possibly the one idea all educators- or education-receivers- would agree upon is that education is simply positive. It should benefit the individuals it reaches.
  And, materialistically speaking, education has benefited individuals. In general, the more education one receives, the more money one tends to make; one additional year of schooling typically translates to a 10% increase in the pay of future jobs.
  [font="Times New Roman"] But the opposite logic is also true: in general, the less schooling one [/font]recieves[font="Times New Roman"], the less they are projected to earn during a year. [/font]
  For those in developing countries, effects are possibly the most drastic. Girls in lower-income countries who have completed secondary education are expected to make twice as much as those with no education. And when only one in three girls in such countries complete lower secondary school, the implications turn troubling- a majority of girls in developing countries make half the pay of their counterparts, purely due to missed educational opportunities.
  [font="Times New Roman"] And don’t be fooled into thinking that this trend only applies to those in developing countries. Individuals who have less schooling in the United States also typically earn less: the median pay of Americans who have associate degrees is just over 41K. In comparison, those who never graduated high school typically have a median pay of just over 25K. [/font]
  [font="Times New Roman"] The thing is, 25K can only go so far. That sum might just be able to cover minimum living costs, but still be insufficient for retirement costs.[/font]
  [font="Times New Roman"] Based on this, it’s logical to conclude that the less education one has, the greater obstacles one might face in life. Focusing on education can help one attain greater prosperity, and even potentially break out of poverty. Simply put, education is good- because it benefits individuals’ personal lives.[/font]
  [font="Times New Roman"] But the reverse is also true. If we take a look at the bigger picture of the process outlined above, we can see that education can also benefit entire communities and societies. [/font]
  [font="Times New Roman"] If numerous individuals attain education in a society, and more education correlates with higher pay, then this development essentially implies that entire societies can experience increasing production. Consequently, the whole economy grows. This is precisely why education has been nicknamed “human capital”- educating humans can play a key role in economic development. [/font]
  In the end, education is good; it positively impacts students, and tangibly benefits both the individual and the community. It can provide a way to break out of intergenerational poverty, and strengthen one’s chances at prosperity. Perceptions about education may differ, but perhaps there’s one thing we can all agree on: education is something we cannot afford to give up.
  [font="Times New Roman"] That said, there have been- and maybe always will be- variations in what education’s exact nature is. Some believe [/font]it ’s a[font="Times New Roman"] pathway to stronger morals. Others may view it as a way to hone societal comprehension and empathy. [/font]
  What type of education do you believe in? Click [url=https://www.givology.org/giv-now/]here[/url] to donate, choose an organization or student you want to help, and show your support!
  
• Donors, Volunteers, Givers

  Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at 02:30:56 AM by Givology Staff

  Are countries beginning to deprioritize education?
  Unfortunately, statistics suggest that might be the case. Major donor countries in the international OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) Development Assistance Committee contribute billions of dollars to education every year. Normally, this money goes toward supporting the educational systems of developing countries, like Niger and Sierra Leone. However, countries seem to be decreasing how much they give.
  [font="Times New Roman"] Between 2009 and 2012, for example, the amount of money going toward education fell by over 10%. That’s a pretty big drop- one that suggests that governments are concentrating less on giving aid to the schools that need it. [/font]
  But that doesn’t mean everybody is caring less about education. In fact, big businesses have been stepping up to the plate.
  [font="Times New Roman"] For example, it doesn’t seem like Google, Coca-Cola, and Verizon have much in common- other than the fact that they’re all enormous businesses, with a lot of recognition in their respective areas of specialization. However, all three companies share an additional, common initiative: bettering education. [/font]
  [font="Times New Roman"] As their employees and customers take a stronger stance on improving education, these larger companies have also become more involved with strengthening educational processes. Coca-Cola, for example, provides supplies and donates to several countries across the globe, such as Argentina, China, and Chile; they also focus on building educational infrastructure and providing mentoring to teachers. [/font]
  [font="Times New Roman"] Similarly, while Google may be headquartered in the U.S, it works to increase the number of students enrolled in schools worldwide. Google.org has also provided millions of dollars to educational organizations across the [/font]world,[font="Times New Roman"] and sometimes provides community grants to help out local schools. In the same vein, Verizon has provided tablets with data plans and other technological devices to underfunded schools.[/font]
  So sure. While a search engine, beverage company, and telecommunications company don’t appear to have much in common, they do have one overlapping initiative- the expansion and improvement of education. So providing help- specifically toward education- still takes a spot on the priority list, even if a company’s focus is on trying to improve Internet quality, provide sustenance, or improve communication. It’s a pretty astonishing fact that just goes to show how widely acknowledged the importance of education is.
  And the citizen populace is beginning to give more as well. In the United States alone, giving increased by three percent from 2016 to 2018. Americans, on average, also donated the largest percentage (1.7%) of their collective GDP (Gross Domestic Product-basically how much money a country makes each year) to charities. [font="Times New Roman"]They’re followed by New Zealanders, Canadians, and individuals belonging to the U.K (who donated .79%, .77%, and .54% respectively).[/font]
  And while not all of these donations go toward education (they could be instead heading toward local foundations or humanitarian crises)- education is still the most-frequently-donated-to cause. In fact, donations for education comprise 14% of all donations at an approximate value of $58.9 billion. So education is pretty high up on the priority list for general individuals.
  [font="Times New Roman"] The thing is, money isn’t the only thing that people have been donating- time is perhaps an even more valuable currency.[/font]
  Over half of the U.S population has reported volunteering in the past year. This isn’t too surprising; volunteering is one of the most direct, and rewarding, ways to make an impact on those around you. And by dedicating your time to something separate from yourself, you not only provide help to others but forge personal connections. The pure positivity of this process makes it no surprise that people literally help themselves by volunteering; research has shown that volunteering has been documented to boost well-being, and decrease the likelihood of depression.
  And there’s no shortage of ways to get involved. Local foundations, libraries, volunteer tutor centers, and Givology all offer ways for one to begin the volunteering process. (To learn more about volunteering for Givology, click [url=https://www.givology.org/get-involved/volunteer/]here[/url].)
  [font="Times New Roman"] It’s true; in a purely monetary context, one could say that governments may have begun deprioritizing education. But that doesn’t mean businesses or individuals should follow their lead. Hold true to your beliefs and values- and remember; every individual can make a difference, whether it’s via money or time. [/font]
  
• Not All Education is Created Equal

  Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at 05:05:57 AM by Givology Staff

  [b] Not all education is created equal.[/b]
  
  Don’t get me wrong, I love education-and chances are, you do, too.
  But there are some pretty big fundamental differences in educational systems around the world. Its quality and importance varies from country to country, and sometimes, one type of educational system can produce more or less literate students than another.
  And that’s before you take into consideration that each country’s schools can be disrupted over time by political developments, economic pressures, religious events, and a myriad of other factors... We know, it’s complicated. But let’s mark out some interesting points- so you can know some more about how different countries employ what Mandela called “the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”: education.
  
  [b] Church and School [/b]
  
  Some nations like separating of church and state. That can lead to educational systems that a lot of us are familiar with- ones that minimize religious influence. In Ireland, however, the dominant religion-Catholicism- has heavily impacted its schools.
  Nearly all Irish primary schools are associated with Catholicism, and over 90% of Irish schools as a whole are owned by the Catholic Church. Thus, many schools in Ireland often allocate portions of time to religious education every day, and up until recently, a student’s faith could impact his/her chance of school admission.
  As Ireland grows increasingly religiously diverse, however, the Catholic grip on the country seems to be loosening.
  
  [b] Tests… Taken to the max.[/b]
  
  Few students enjoy taking tests, and we all know that one friend who fakes sick during finals week. If you live in China, though, a test might be time to call the ambulance… literally.
  The Gaokao, or the National College Entrance Examination, is exactly what it sounds like. One nine-hour exam decides it all for Chinese high school seniors- Chinese students are admitted into universities depending on how well they score on the Gaokao.
  The test is grueling enough that ambulances are sometimes stationed outside of schools in case of nervous breakdowns.
  Basically, it’s a pretty hard test. But the Gaokao is even harder if you’re a rural citizen. Significant educational gaps exist between rural and urban areas in China. This can be traced back to numerous factors, including the fact that urban Chinese schools typically offer better pay than rural ones- leading to a big lack of quality teachers in rural schools.
  In other words, rural students are inherently disadvantaged. They don’t get the same level of education as their urban counterparts do, making it even harder for them to do well on an exam that has been regularly nicknamed the most difficult in the world.
  To support better education for rural Chinese students, consider donating to our project, [url=https://www.givology.org/~rcfrchildren/]Reading Classes for Rural Education[/url], and learning more about our partner, Peach Foundation.
  [b]
  The Right to Education-Is Tied into Money [/b]
  While the right to education is an internationally recognized human right, it doesn’t always come freely to every individual.
  Around 61 million individuals of the primary-school age aren’t in school. These children live predominantly in developing countries- for example, around 60% of 7-year-old girls in the developing country of South Sudan don’t attend school.
  Why is this number so high? As an emerging country, South Sudan doesn’t always have enough funds to create schools, provide the necessary schooling materials, and hire adequate teachers. UNICEF’s Chief of Education described the average South Sudanese classroom with the following words: “It’s basically a tree and a blackboard.”
  Combine these surroundings and parental pressure on children to ditch school for a job, and you have the perfect recipe for a high dropout rate. In other words, a country’s monetary issues can damage its citizens’ rights to good education.
  Citizens in Peru are stuck in similar struggles. Private education in Peru, which is taught in schools with good infrastructure and high-paying teachers, is often too expensive for many Peruvians.
  In contrast, Peruvian public schools feature unmotivated teachers and low national budget.
  The result- too many Peruvian children are taught in schools with passive teachers and poor resources.
  To support new programs and more effective learning approaches for Peruvian students, consider donating to SKIP’s [url=https://www.givology.org/~peprogram/]Primary Education Program.[/url]
  
  [b] Quantity doesn’t dictate quality! [/b]
  
  In 2014, the U.S spent $12,157 per student on elementary and middle school education. And if it seems like a lot, that’s because it is!
  The United States actually spends more than any other nation when it comes to educating their young people. Many other economically developed countries, like Denmark, France, and Japan, are part of an organization called OPEC (the Organization for Economic Development and Cooperation-a mouthful, we know).
  The average country in OPEC spends about $9,419 per student’s noncollegiate education.
  In other words, the U.S spends 30% more money on education than your average developed country.
  But that doesn’t necessarily mean American education is the most effective. Although Singapore spent less money on education, its students still performed better on educational assessments, such as PISA (Program for International Student Assessment).
  So basically, money doesn’t dictate how effective education is.
  What matters more is where you’re putting that money, and making sure that whoever’s receiving it is using it well…
  
  [b] It’s more important to know that your money is going toward an effective cause![/b]
  
  Like we said before, quantity doesn’t dictate impact.
  So if you’re making a donation, be it a dime or a dollar, the most important factor is that you know exactly where that money’s going. Try to determine the type of impact it’ll make, and maximize the effects upon whoever that money goes to.
  Your donations can always go toward an important cause- like supplying a textbook for a student, or funding a teacher. And it’s up to you to make sure that money is making the impact that you want it to.
  So, how do you do that? That’s where Givology comes in. We connect you to students and grassroots projects so you can see directly where your money goes. If and once you make a donation, you can see exactly what type of impact it has on the recipient through things like student and project updates. That way, you can maximize the impact of every cent.
  Whether you're giving through Givology or another nonprofit, let's all keep our head in the game- by making sure we know where our donations are going.
  
• Impact Series Podcast: Peled, Seidenfeld, and Aslan of Team Hero

  Friday, August 24, 2018 at 09:42:58 PM by Givology Staff

  [url=https://herowearables.com/]Source[/url]
  
  “...makes HERO so unique is that the device is embedded in fashionable and trendy jewelry, rather than just a simple band like a lot of other products. We did some market research and asked people to rank HERO and its competitors on a scale of 1-7, and what we found was that our competitors generally had an average ranking of one, while almost 70% of people gave HERO a 7 out of 7...” - Jennifer Peled
  Guests: Jennifer Peled, Ilana Aslan, and Liana Seidenfield
  Hosts: Joyce Meng and Vandana Subramanian
  
  Transcript: [url=https://docs.google.com/document/d/10oizDGJi6kafMwFn8qZulNI9Ym2orfol48H-qEmKQSk/edit]Here[/url]
  Subscribe and listen more of the[url=https://soundcloud.com/givology] Givology Impact Series here[/url]
  For more Givology follow us on:
  Twitter[url=https://twitter.com/Givology] @Givology[/url]
  Instagram[url=https://www.instagram.com/givology/?hl=en] @givology[/url]
  
  HERO is a line of smart jewelry made to help in a crisis. It listens in for a preprogrammed panic word and, when activated, alarms emergency contacts and potentially the police with the client's GPS location. The requirement for HERO has never been greater: Every 98 seconds, somebody in the US is struck, and 1 out of 5 ladies are a casualty of an attack. Movements, for example, Time's Up and #MeToo have been taking the internet and social media by storm, empowering ladies to stand up and support themselves and their safety. Jennifer, Liana, and Ilana were inspired and encouraged to create this product. The trio stated, “HERO is here to fight fear and bring safety and protection to women everywhere, but do so in a way that is fun, exciting and appealing. With the recent advances in modern technology, the opportunities for innovation are endless. HERO uses advanced technology to draw the bridge between style and safety.” They believe an item as little as a bracelet or necklace can be a piece of a bigger mission to ensure safety and empower women all over the world. They are proud to be a part of a bigger wave of activists, innovators, and changemakers working to make the world safer and more secure for all women alike. These three students attend YULA Girls High School. Together, they chose to use their love for science and technology to make this world a better place for ourselves and loved ones. Team HERO is composed of Jennifer Peled (CEO), Ilana Aslan (CPO), and Liana Seidenfeld (CMO).
  In this episode, we talk to Jennifer, Ilana, and Liana about the story, principles, goals, and future of Team HERO.
  
  H I G H L I G H T E D - E X C E R P T
  Liana: “Right, so when we were creating HERO, we decided to make it a for-profit company, because through that, we can truly reach people on a global scale, and do a lot of special goods because we will have that profit. I think that we really just hope that our success over the next couple of years will allow us to work hand in hand with non-profit companies and reach underserved communities, and really help them get their inner confidence and courage for them to feel safe in any situation that they encounter, and we truly believe that if even one woman feels more safe because of HERO, then we would have reached our goal in that sense...”
  
  
  S H O W - N O T E S
  · Introduction/Foundation & Startup [0:31]
  · Targeted Customers [1:13]
  · Jewelry Creation [2:02]
  · Buying the Product [4:32]
  · Uniqueness [5:52]
  · Backstory [6:27]
  · Future of the Company [7:01]
  
  R E F E R E N C E S
  Check out [url=https://herowearables.com/]Team HERO[/url] website to learn more about their plans
  - Team HERO can use your assistance! Contact them at: info@HeroWearables.com
  
• Impact Series Podcast: Damany Gibbs of Nova Pioneer

  Thursday, August 23, 2018 at 09:30:27 PM by Givology Staff

  [url=https://novapioneer.com/]Source[/url]
  
  [color=#669933]“There's been a lot of work done in pockets that really moves away from the traditional approach and focuses on building the right type of skills and focusing on problem solving and critical thinking for collaboration and leadership...” - Damany Gibbs[/color]
  Guest: Damany Gibbs
  Host: Vandana Subramanian
  
  Transcript: [url=https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DEhz6PxhKKsneWSk8gBFWhLyXIuAXgE5TPZe5NlV6CY/edit?usp=sharing]Here[/url]
  Subscribe and listen more of the[url=https://soundcloud.com/givology] Givology Impact Series here[/url]
  For more [color=#669933]Givology[/color] follow us on:
  Twitter[url=https://twitter.com/Givology] @Givology[/url]
  Instagram[url=https://www.instagram.com/givology/?hl=en] @givology[/url]
  
  [color=#669933]Nova Pioneer Education Group[/color] is a Pan-African independent school network offering schooling from preschool through secondary education for pupils ranging from as little as 3 years all the way to 19 years of age. They work to tutor and prepare future leaders and innovators through world-class teaching techniques with an important emphasis on 21st century skills. Nova Pioneer hopes to transform the lives and profession ways of students and ready them for success in the 21st century. Nova Pioneer motivates their graduates to lead change and shape Africa and the world. They believe a positive learning society and culture can and will promote great learning and a strong community. Nova Pioneer establishes six culture principles that all students, teachers, and staff live and learn by. They include Joy of Learning, Greater Together, Always Growing, Servant Leadership, Solutions First, and High Expectations. Since their first day, Nova Pioneer has been making a positive impact on students, schools, communities, countries, and more… one lesson at a time.
  In this episode we talk to Damany about the story, principles, goals, and future of Nova Pioneer Education Group.
  
  [color=#669933]H I G H L I G H T E D - E X C E R P T[/color]
  Damany: “the big impact would be the impact on our students and their ability to go out and shape their futures. So that means that, we’re still part of the who is away from capturing fully in terms of what that looks like, but what we do today really is measured in growth that they’re having with us. So based on where you started with us, after a year, 2 years, 6 months, we do international benchmark testing, I think twice a year, and that allows us to, 1, just compare with the high global standards versus just the local standard, and 2, it allows us to get really strong data about the growth of the student and where we need to double down on support...”
  
  
  
  [color=#669933]S H O W - N O T E S[/color]
  · Foundation & Startup [2:23]
  · Approach to Learning [4:58]
  · Awards & Promoting Learning [8:15]
  · Challenging Students Academically [12:31]
  · Stories and Past Experiences [19:18]
  · Measuring Success [22:56]
  · Community Research and Inspiring Others [24:02]
  
  [color=#669933]R E F E R E N C E S[/color]
  Check out[url=http://www.viethope.org/] Nova Pioneer[/url] website to learn more about their plans
  - Nova Pioneer can use your assistance! Contact them at: admissions.ke@novapioneer.com
  
• Campaign Launch: Green Apple Giving

  Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at 09:31:58 PM by Givology Staff

  [font=OpenSansRegular, arial, sans-serif][/font]
  
  [b]Small acts can make a BIG impact. [/b]
  During the month of August, we are running an innovative campaign which embodies this principle-- Green Apple Giving.
  By simply using the green apple emoji on social media, you can support our vision of making quality education accessible for all children. Here's what the emoji looks like:
  [font=OpenSansRegular, arial, sans-serif][/font]
  Every time you use this green apple emoji with #GreenAppleGiving, you are pledging to give 25¢ to students and grassroots projects around the world. Participants can continue using the emoji and hashtag as many times as they would like throughout August; at the end of the month, they will be sent a tally of their total use, and a summary of an optional donation amount. Donors can direct their pledge to any student or project listed on the Givology site, whether this be supporting construction on mobile shipping container classrooms in Benin or supporting a school lunch program and Guatemala.
  FAQs
  [b][color=#66cc00]Can I use the green apple emoji on my personal posts?[/color][/b]
  Of course! We will keep track emoji use on your account, as long as you include #GreenAppleGiving. You can also comment on our Givology posts.
  [b][color=#66cc00]How will the end of the month tally be sent to me?[/color][/b]
  The tally will be sent to you through direct messaging. Keep an eye out!
  [b][color=#66cc00]Do I have to donate?[/color][/b]
  The donation amount is completely optional. If you would only like to use the emoji to support Givology’s mission and message, we appreciate this as well!
  [b][color=#66cc00]Can I donate more than the amount I pledged?[/color][/b]
  Yes! A greater donation is greatly appreciated.
  [b][color=#66cc00]How do I find the emoji?[/color][/b]
  The green apple emoji can be found on all device keyboards. It may appear differently depending on if it is being used on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter or on device type.
  [b][color=#66cc00]Can I e-mail someone with inquiries about this project?[/color][/b]
  Certainly! E-mail info@givology.org with any questions or inquiries.
  [b][color=#66cc00]Where will my donation go?[/color][/b]
  Givology is a P2P online giving marketplace, directly connecting donors to students and grassroots projects around the world. You will have the option of donating to any student or project listed on our site.