2024 Educatius Impact Annual Report
St. Martin's School
Supporting access to education at St. Martin's School in The Gambia 2009
Kartong, The Gambia
Sponsored since
Breaking the cycle of poverty through education
The Gambia faces significant economic and social challenges as one of the smallest and poorest countries in mainland Africa. With a predominantly agrarian economy, many Gambians rely on subsistence farming, fishing, and tourism for their livelihoods. Despite government efforts to improve infrastructure and social services, poverty, unemployment, and limited access to quality education remain substantial barriers to development.
In rural communities like Kartong, families may need to prioritize short term economic needs, which can create a difficult choice between sending children to school or having them assist with work at home. Aiducatius' support reduces these barriers, giving families the support needed to ensure school attendance.
In 2024, Educatius sponsored
Supporting St. Martin's School
Aiducatius, the not-for-profit sister organization of Educatius, has sponsored students at St. Martin's School since 2009. Our commitment provides students with essential resources including uniforms, textbooks, supplies, shoes, and lunch fees. While The Gambia does not charge tuition fees for public education, these additional costs often prevent children from attending school.
In 2024, Educatius sponsored 620 students—nearly half of St. Martin's total student population of 1,500. This support enables students to complete their education while allowing parents to save for their children's higher education opportunities.
St. Martin's School: Providing access to education
Aiducatius Creativity Internship
Aiducatius Creativity Internship at St. Martin's School 2024
Kartong, The Gambia
Sponsored since
Connecting through creative exchange
The inaugural Aiducatius Creativity Internship launched in June 2024 with dual objectives: to develop the talents of students at St. Martin's School in The Gambia and to highlight the impact of this wonderful school on its community.
applicants from 100 15 + countries
Responding to the school’s needs
Supported by Aiducatius since 2009, St. Martin's School identified visual arts as an area where international perspectives could complement their existing curriculum. While the school maintains excellent art teachers, their instruction tends to follow formal approaches. The school leadership thought it would be inspiring to all participants to diversify their students' exposure to different artistic methods and perspectives.
Global
selection process
The internship attracted over 100 applicants from 15 countries, demonstrating the widespread interest in this once in a lifetime opportunity. Applicants submitted proposals outlining their artistic experience and proposed activities that could benefit the students of St. Martin's School. A panel of international judges, including St. Martin's teaching staff and Headmaster Nicholas Jatta, evaluated candidates based on their artistic talents and proposed activities.
• Norun Igeltjørn-Brænd (Norway) and Serena Pelizzari (Italy) — Educatius high school exchange program alumni
• Adam Gooder (USA) — Art educator from Educatius exclusive partner Arlington High School, Massachusetts
• Tara Creed (USA) — Educatius Local Coordinator from Layton, Utah
Aiducatius Creativity Internship at St. Martin's School
Gabriella Children's Rehabilitation Centre
Gabriella Children's Rehabilitation Centre in Tanzania: Empowering children with disabilities 2022
We recognize the critical gap in specialized services for children with disabilities in Tanzania. Many of these children face exclusion from educational opportunities and lack access to essential therapeutic interventions. The Gabriella Children's Rehabilitation Centre (GCRC) addresses these challenges through comprehensive programs that transform lives. Our support aligns with our commitment to educational equity and inclusion across diverse global contexts.
About the project
The Gabriella Children's Rehabilitation Centre provides specialized education, therapy, and vocational training to children with disabilities. Its mission focuses on empowering children and youth with special needs through holistic support that enhances their independence, education, and integration into society. The Centre serves children with developmental disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome.
In 2024, GCRC celebrated its 15th anniversary of service to children with disabilities and their families. This milestone year brought significant advances in their programming and community impact.
Weru Weru, Tanzania
Supported since
The Centre delivers comprehensive services across several interconnected areas
Therapeutic services
• Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy
• Development of communication, motor skills, and daily living abilities
• Expanded outreach to new areas, including Simanjiro
Special education
• Personalized learning programs tailored for children with disabilities
• Inclusive education approach allowing students to transition to mainstream schools
• Curriculum focused on literacy, numeracy, and essential life skills
Vocational training
• Skills development in carpentry, tailoring, agriculture, and entrepreneurship
• Social enterprise program where students create and sell handmade products
• Official registration of training programs to enhance credential recognition
Family and community support
• Counseling and training for parents to better support children with disabilities
• Partnership with local schools and government programs to promote inclusive education
• Community outreach programs that raise disability awareness
Educatius supports these initiatives primarily through funding for teacher salaries, which covers approximately 60% of total teaching staff costs. This financial foundation enables program stability and growth.
Educatius support covers of total teaching staff costs
Gabriella Children's Rehabilitation Centre in Tanzania
Tree Planting & Forest Conservation
Biharamulo district, northwestern Tanzania
Responsible Tree Planting & Forest Conservation in Tanzania 2009
Educatius recognizes that international student exchange programs, through the air travel they require, create a substantial climate impact. Our commitment to environmental responsibility led us to establish an initiative 15 years ago to mitigate the carbon impact of our students' travel. Through this program, we support community groups in Nyamahanga to implement sustainable tree planting and forest conservation projects that benefit their community, environment, and local economy.
Based on conservative estimates, each tree planted through our initiative sequesters approximately 22 kg of CO2 annually once mature. With nearly 124,000 trees planted since 2020 alone, our annual carbon offset capacity will reach 2,728 metric tons of CO2 when these trees mature—equivalent to offsetting about 680 international student flights per year.
About the project
Supported since
We collaborate with local community organizations in northwestern Tanzania to promote environmental stewardship while creating economic opportunities. The program centers on strategic tree planting, protection of natural forests and water sources, and environmental education. The initiative gained national recognition in August 2023 when the FPCT Nyamahanga Mission received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Tanzania Torch of Freedom—an honor equivalent to presidential recognition. trees planted since 2020 124 , 000
Key accomplishments
Nearly 124,000 trees distributed to various community groups since 2020
National recognition through the Tanzania Torch of Freedom Certificate of Appreciation
Successful "Young Men at the Hill" program with 90% adherence to sustainable practices
Widespread adoption of fuel-efficient cookstoves, reducing deforestation
Establishment of the Karundi Cultural and Ecotourism Farm
Creation of demonstration coffee farm showcasing quality coffee cultivation
Plans for 2025
The project plans several expansions in the coming year:
• Increase construction of fuel-efficient cookstoves in schools
• Expand distribution of fruit tree seedlings to additional schools
• Complete follow-up assessment of tree planting programs dating back to 2010
• Recognize and reward participants who maintained long-term plantations
• Explore carbon trading partnerships to create additional economic incentives
• Further develop the Karundi Cultural and Ecotourism Farm as both a tourist destination and research area for college students
Through this initiative, Educatius demonstrates our commitment to environmental sustainability while supporting community development in Tanzania. The project demonstrates a model of how responsible environmental practices can create economic opportunities while addressing climate impacts.
Global Youth Resilience Initiative
The profound impact of exchange programs on teens
"I learned that I have more discipline and confidence in myself. I can open my heart and make friends with more people."
Quan from Vietnam
"I am capable of more than the eye can see and I will believe more in myself. I now can do a lot of things alone that I was afraid of before. I grew a lot in these months away from home."
Leah from Germany
"My exchange year helped me develop a sense of responsibility in real life. It showed me how to manage obstacles and be able to be independent. It also let me meet people that had a big impact on me and changed my perspective."
Amelia from Poland
Supported by teen mental health professionals
Interns collaborated with school leaders for months before their arrival to design engaging visual arts programs that would complement the existing curriculum and plan for the resources required to conduct the activities.
During their time in The Gambia, the team engaged with students in various drawing and painting exercises, fostering individual creativity with a more American style approach. Students displayed enthusiasm and joy as they showcased their artwork.
Our impact
42 16 % % % + hours on social media every week
The Global Youth Resilience Initiative has already demonstrated significant impact across our international education community:
Training effectiveness Research insights
of teenagers, in the age spend 16-20 are comfortable expressing themselves in non-native languages expressed desire to live or study abroad in the next 3-5 years
Thousands of students, parents, host families, and staff have completed resilience training. Participant feedback highlights the practical value of these resources:
"Thank you for this interesting course. Very well projected and realized. Contents well illustrated and easy tips to understand and put in practice."
"It helps to put words on thoughts and feelings that parents have when your child leaves home for a year."
"I found this lesson really interesting. It let me enter a little bit in other cultures teaching me the differences between them."
44 49
The Global Youth Resilience Index research was conducted in partnership with YouGov analysis institute using CAWI methodology. The survey was based on the MCRI's Adolescent Resilience Questionnaire (ARQ) and published in the Journal of International Education in 2024. The study examined over 4,000 teenagers aged 16-20 from nine countries and revealed several key findings:
1. Social Media and Resilience: 42% of surveyed youth spend 16+ hours weekly on social media. Excessive use, especially at night, correlates with lower resilience factors, while moderate use links to higher emotional insight.
2. International Exposure: Teenagers with international experiences, such as independent travel or activities abroad, exhibit higher resilience levels, underscoring the value of exchange programs.
3. Multicultural Comfort: 44.2% of participants felt comfortable expressing themselves in non-native languages, highlighting the importance of cultural immersion and language acquisition in building resilience.
4. Gender and Cultural Variations: The research identified differences in resilience levels across genders and cultures, with male-identifying participants generally reporting higher resilience-related factors.
5. Future Aspirations: 49% of surveyed teenagers expressed desire to live or study abroad within the next 3-5 years, an aspiration linked to higher resilience levels.
The research also revealed that 64% of respondents agreed with the statement, "I look for what I can learn out of bad things that happen"—a key indicator of resilience.
Looking ahead: Plans for 2025
As we move forward, Educatius is committed to expanding the Global Youth Resilience Initiative in several key areas:
• Expand training availability to additional languages and cultural contexts
• Launch additional engagement activities that promote resilience-building
• Create a peer support network to enhance social connectedness
• Expand training for school partners on supporting international student well-being
Through these efforts, Educatius aims to ensure that international education continues to be a powerful vehicle for building resilience and preparing young people for success in our increasingly complex global society.
The Global Youth Resilience Initiative represents our commitment to the holistic development of the next generation of global citizens. By addressing the unique challenges faced by international students and providing targeted support, we are helping to ensure that the benefits of an education abroad remain accessible and transformative for all participants.
Community Impact Fund
Community Impact Fund
Educatius established a $5,000 Community Impact Fund based on our belief that education abroad inspires students through widening their perspective and combining the wisdom of their host and home culture. The fund creates a pathway for our international students and alumni to implement the global perspectives they've developed through their exchange experiences. This reinforces our commitment to nurturing global citizenship.
What the project entails
The Community Impact Fund invites international students and alumni from our high school exchange programs to propose community-focused projects, inspired by their high school program abroad. After a rigorous selection process, finalists present initiatives addressing real-world challenges. The winning project receives a $5,000 USD grant for implementation, directly advancing our mission of driving positive change through international education.
Educatius supports the Community Impact Fund through:
• Financial backing with a $5,000 implementation grant
• Providing mentorship from experienced staff members
• Offering Global Skills Prep Courses to all finalists
• Creating a dedicated support panel for the winner's project development
• Facilitating connections between students and relevant community partners
Location: Global Launched in
Our impact
The Community Impact Fund amplifies student-driven solutions to global challenges by transforming exchange programs into actionable community initiatives. In its inaugural year, the fund received proposals from students across multiple countries, demonstrating the far-reaching influence of our exchange programs and their ability to inspire meaningful social engagement.
Finalist projects
Kelly Bui from Vietnam - The Helper (Winner)
Kelly, who studied at a U.S. private high school for two years and now attends Pacific Lutheran University, proposed to develop a digital platform offering peer-to-peer support for international students. Her project addresses the challenges of cultural transitions, providing practical advice and emotional reassurance for students navigating new environments.
"During my exchange year, I realized how much students rely on peer advice and support when navigating new cultural environments. The Helper will provide what I wished I had a community of peers who understand exactly what you're going through," says Kelly.
Kelly's project will launch in August 2025, with beta testing beginning in April 2025. The implementation timeline includes three months of platform development followed by a pilot program with 100 international students before full release.
Fabian from Norway - Community sports inclusion project
Fabian's initiative tackles economic and social barriers preventing youth from participating in sports activities. His proposal will provide equipment and organize free sports events, creating an inclusive environment that promotes both physical health and community solidarity.
María from Spain - Special Olympics cheer
Inspired by her American host sister, María's project focuses on enhancing inclusion for students with disabilities by expanding Special Olympics cheerleading programs in schools. Her vision empowers students of all abilities, fostering confidence and equal opportunities in sports.
Céline from Switzerland - Sakafu Gasy
Céline's project addresses malnutrition in Madagascar by partnering with local NGOs to provide nutrition and hygiene workshops. Her initiative aims to improve long-term health outcomes for vulnerable communities through knowledge sharing and practical support.
Mentorship Team
To support Kelly's winning project, Educatius assembled a dedicated mentorship panel of experienced staff members:
"Kelly's
project addresses a universal challenge faced by international students with a remarkably simple yet effective solution. Her firsthand experience brings invaluable authenticity to this initiative"
Ana Rodriguez, Student Experience Advisor
"The Helper creates exactly the kind of supportive community environment we strive to foster among our exchange students"
Annsleigh Carter, Director of Student Experience
The first year
The Community Impact Fund has demonstrated significant potential in its first year:
• Four finalists selected from international submissions spanning three continents
• Projects addressed diverse community needs: sports inclusion, cultural transition support, disability inclusion, and malnutrition
• Research supporting the winning project shows:
• 75% of students with mental health challenges turn to peers rather than formal services
• Peer-run mental health programs demonstrate effectiveness comparable to professional interventions
• The Helper will launch ahead of the 2025 academic year with support from a team with nearly 30 years of collective experience in international student support
The inaugural Community Impact Fund has established a foundation for Educatius to continue fostering student-led initiatives that transform international education experiences into tangible community benefits worldwide.
75 %
of students with mental health challenges turn to peers rather than formal services