COVER Image: 1 Main Photo Text: Title Graphics: Logo, Other graphic elements
PILAglobal provides innovative education for children and families impacted by displacement and poverty worldwide.
CONTENTS Letter from the CEO ..................................................... 1 Nests Around the World .............................................. 2 The Nest Model ............................................................ 3 Canyon Nest ............................................................. 4-5 Parent Program ......................................................... 6-7 Centrito 32 & Nest Norte ......................................... 8-9 Partner Spotlight ................................................... 10-11 Nest Athens ........................................................... 12-13 Nest Zimbabwe .................................................... 14-15 Nest Congo ........................................................... 16-17 PILA By the Numbers..................................................18 Partners ........................................................................20 Leadership, Board & Contact ....................................21
Letter from our CEO
Dear Friends, 2021 was an incredible year of growth for PILA and a powerful reminder of how far our organization has come. Since opening our first Nest to young refugee children in Lesvos, Greece, four years ago, we've opened eight more beautiful learning spaces for and with communities experiencing displacement and poverty. Now serving more than 4,000 children and families worldwide, the Nests provide safe learning and play opportunities in Mexico, Greece, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Zimbabwe —countries with areas of tremendous hardship and deprivation and also ones filled with children eager to explore, connect, and create. At each of our Nests, nurturing relationships with highly qualified teachers enable children to build confidence, develop literacy and numeracy skills, work collaboratively, and heal through playful learning. New partnerships with organizations including UNICEF, Hauser & Wirth and March Studio allowed us to bolster our art programs, provide innovative spaces for indoor and outdoor play, and expand our educational programming. In my time at PILAglobal, I have been enormously impressed by our unique programmatic approach, our dedicated volunteers, and the generosity of our many supporters. But what has impressed me most is the unwavering tenacity of the families we work with and the commitment of our global team. In the face of an ongoing pandemic, a shortage of basic resources and ever-changing immigration policies, our team is delivering tangible, measurable impact: We are providing critical learning and play opportunities to children who otherwise wouldn't have access, partnering with local organizations to achieve sustainable, quality early education programs and classes and support to parents and caregivers. All of this is challenging, life-changing work—and none of it would be possible without the generosity and commitment of our PILAglobal supporters. Our work is more relevant than ever, and we are excited to expand our reach. Thank you for being on this journey with us. We look forward to working with you in 2022! With gratitude,
Lindsay Weissert
Chief Executive Officer PILAglobal
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PILAglobal 2021 Map 2021 NESTS MAP
Image: Thumbnails for each location Text: Map Headline (< 40 words), The NEST Program (<120 words), Locations Graphics: Map
NEST NORTE
NEST ATHENS
NEST CONGO
NEST ZIMBABWE
NESTS Around the World CANYON NEST
In January of 2018, PILAglobal launched The Nest: a global constellation of innovative and engaging play-based education spaces for young children. The Nest provides some of the world’s most vulnerable children with invaluable educational, social, and play-based experiences that cultivate a sense of stability, security, and agency. The opportunity to be in a safe learning environment has the potential to change the course of a child’s life. Since opening our first Nest to refugee children in Lesvos, Greece, four years ago, we’ve opened eight additional learning spaces. Now serving more than 4,000 children and families worldwide, the Nests provide safe learning and play opportunities at seven locations throughout Europe, Africa and the US-Mexico border.
NEST CENTRITO 2
Local + International Nesters NESTERS: INTERNATIONAL
AND LOCAL Image: 2 or 3 Photos of Nesters/Teachers Text: The NEST Model (200-250 words)** Graphics: **Maybe an infographic to summarize some of the NEST MODEL
I REALLY ENJOY WORKING WITH THE YOUNGER CHILDREN. I AM GETTING TO KNOW THEM, THEIR DREAMS, IDEAS AND CHALLENGES. I LOVE BEING A PART OF THEIR WORLD AND THEIR IMAGINATION.
WHEN AT THE NEST, I AM IMMEDIATELY IMMERSED IN HOW JOYFUL CHILDREN ARE, NO MATTER WHERE THEY ARE COMING FROM. - THÉRÈSE, INT’L NESTER
- DORIS, LOCAL NESTER
MY FAVORITE THING IS THE MUTUAL LEARNING THAT HAPPENS. I LEARN SO MUCH FROM THE CHILDREN. I LOVE HEARING THEIR DREAMS, IDEAS AND WATCHING THEM ROLE PLAY THEIR STORIES– THEY ARE INCREDIBLE ACTORS! - WALTER, LOCAL NESTER
The NEST Model The Nests offer early practice for democratic life where responsibility and freedom are continually tested and balanced. Drawing from a strong constructivist pedagogy, the Nests give children freedom to explore, negotiate, collaborate, and cultivate their passions. Each Nest is outfitted with open-ended learning materials that inspire curiosity, invention, and creative expression. For children who have been separated from the familiarity of home, the opportunity to be autonomous, make decisions, and play freely within a safe and supportive social environment is a significant restorative experience. The backbone of the Nest is our people. In addition to full-time local teachers, our Nests in Greece and Mexico rely on two types of volunteers, International Nesters and Local Nesters, all of whom are trained by PILAglobal in trauma-informed practices and pedagogy.
International Nesters — teachers from around the world, with knowledge and expertise in children’s developmental and psycho-social needs. Local Nesters — individuals who live in the
communities we serve. With first-hand knowledge of the values, culture, and language of the children, Local Nesters help keep our program culturally sensitive and responsive. The Nest’s low-cost model is highly sustainable and scalable. With each new Nest launch, PILA covers initial material and building costs and works with the local community to develop a context-appropriate program. Each Nest is maintained, in part, by the community of Nesters. Ongoing collaboration with local partners ensures our program is responsive to the particular needs of the community over the long term.
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THE NEST PROVIDES CHILDREN WITH A ROUTINE, SECURITY AND STRUCTURE IN THE MIDST OF SO MUCH UNCERTAINTY. IT GIVES THEM SILENCE AND TRANQUILITY AND A SPACE WHERE THEY CAN SHARE THEIR IDEAS AND FEELINGS. IT’S A SPACE WHERE THEY ARE SEEN, HEARD AND GET TO KNOW OTHER SIDES OF THEMSELVES THROUGH THEIR CLASSMATES. - VANESSA, TEACHER AT CANYON NEST
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MEXICO -- CANYON NEST Image: 1-3 Images Text: Description / 2021 Update (200-275 words)
CANYON NEST
THE RIGHT TO LEARN AND PLAY SAFELY Violence, climate change, rising poverty, and COVID-19 are forcing thousands of people from northern Central America, Haiti, and other places in crisis to flee their homes. Many, including unaccompanied children, have undertaken a dangerous journey to the United States southern border to ask for asylum; in 2021, arrests by the Border Patrol soared to the highest levels ever recorded. But as U.S. immigration policies are more strictly enforced, thousands of migrant children are awaiting asylum in Tijuana for days, weeks, or even months. During this time, for a number of reasons, most children are not enrolled in the local public schools. As a result, children will fall further behind in their education and social development. Located in Cañón de Alacrán, a rough and craggy valley that butts up to the U.S. border wall, Canyon Nest provides daily, trauma-informed education to 100 children (ages 3-10) from a nearby migrant shelter where over 850 asylum seekers live together awaiting resettlement. At the Nest, every child has opportunities to play, discover and learn. The Nest offers grade level content so children
are not falling behind during this disruptive time in their education. With the consistency, stability, and continuity of warm and nurturing relationships provided by the highly qualified teachers, Canyon Nest is tending to the academic and emotional needs of our students. Children come to Canyon Nest after experiencing long, frightening and traumatic journeys. They arrive with a great deal of confusion, not only about their current living conditions but also about the home and loved ones they have left behind. Their sense of loss is palpable. Nest teachers support the children through deep and intentional listening, helping them gain confidence in themselves as active community members and competent students.
THE DROP-IN PROGRAM
To accommodate the increasing number of children at Canyon Nest, we have partnered with UNICEF to create a Drop-in program. The Drop-in Nest provides education and play opportunities to 25 children ages 3-10 who are in transit and therefore stay at the shelter for a shorter period of time. 7
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Canyon Nest is a community hub where parents and children gather to learn, play and grow.
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MEXICO -- PARENT CANYON PROGRAM, NEST NEST NORTE, NEST CENTRITO Image: 1-3 Images Text: Description / 2021 Update (200-275 words)
PARENT PROGRAM FORGING HEALTHY CONNECTIONS WITH CHILDREN Raising children is challenging even in the best of circumstances. Raising children in the context of a shelter, far from extended family and friends, presents a range of additional issues, danger and trauma that can be overwhelming for parents who are struggling to deal with their own fear and uncertainty about their family’s future. The Canyon Nest provides a relaxing and confidential space where parents have the opportunity to learn and enhance responsive parenting techniques in ongoing weekly parent education classes. These skills are critical considering the high levels of tension and stress experienced by migrant parents, often impacting their engagement with their children. Taught by Glenda Linares, a certified trauma-informed parent educator, in the parenting class, moms and dads reflect on their own childhood and make a conscious decision to use less punitive parenting practices; this helps caretakers build connections with their children. The parents share that they are more loving and kind after attending the class. They are also more attuned to their children’s experience and allow more space for them to be children. As a result, since starting the parenting program, cases of child abuse at the nearby shelter have been nearly eradicated. Parents are reporting stronger relationships with their children and better strategies for handling the day-to-day stresses of living in an overcrowded shelter.
THE PARENTING CLASSES HAVE BEEN A GREAT SUPPORT FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. THEY HELP ME STAY CALM IN MOMENTS OF STRESS. BEFORE COMING TO CLASS I WOULD YELL AT MY CHILDREN A LOT. NOW I REMEMBER TO BREATHE AND HELP SEE WHAT MY CHILDREN ARE NEEDING. SINCE WE STARTED GOING TO THE CLASSES I FEEL MORE CONNECTED TO MY FAMILY. I GET NOW THAT IT’S NOT THEIR FAULT THEY ARE HERE, THAT WE’RE ALL DOING OUR BEST AND IT’S NOT EASY. WHEN WE LEAVE THE NEST AND THE PARENTING CLASS WE ARE ALWAYS HAPPIER AND A LITTLE LIGHTER. -MARTHA, MOTHER OF 3 CHILDREN AGES 3, 7 AND 12
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GREECE Image: 1-3 Images Text: Description / 2021 Update (200-275 words)
NEST CENTRITO 32 PARTNERSHIP WITH UNICEF Nest Centrito 32 is a mobile classroom that serves infants, toddlers, and their parents in six shelters across Tijuana. In partnership with UNICEF and Centro 32, Nest Centrito 32 offers opportunities for babies and toddlers to play with their parents in the safety of a retrofitted school bus designed specifically for children ages 0-3. Staffed by early childhood teachers and parent educators, parents learn about their children’s development and how they can best support their growth.
NEST NORTE A REFUGE WHERE CHILDREN CAN BE CHILDREN Nest Norte is a peaceful, child-centered space where 2- to 7-year-olds can relax and play while their parents seek legal counsel at Al Otro Lado, an NGO located just minutes from the San Ysidro Port of Entry in Tijuana, Mexico. To ease the burden of childcare on parents while they meet with immigration lawyers, Nest Norte provides a safe, supportive environment where children are protected from adult conversations in which past violence against them may be retold. Out of earshot of their parent’s attorney consultations, the children can do what all children have the right to do – play and enjoy childhood. In addition to welcoming children, Nest Norte also provides a safe and private space where caregivers and new parents can take parenting classes, replenish supplies for their families and have some downtime away from their challenging living conditions.
NEST NORTE IS A PLACE WHERE CHILDREN CAN FORGET THEIR PROBLEMS AND FOCUS ON PLAYING. FOR MIGRANT CHILDREN WHO COME WITH A HEAVY EMOTIONAL LOAD, IT IS IDEAL THAT WE HAVE THIS SPACE TO TRANSMIT LOVE TO THEM AND PEACE TO THEIR LIVES. - ARACELI, LOCAL NESTER
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Mark Bradford working with students from Escola d’Art de Menorca, 2021 ©Mark Bradford | Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth
NEST PARTNER SPOTLIGHT ARTIST MARK BRADFORD AND HAUSER & WIRTH In June of 2021, PILAglobal partnered with Hauser & Wirth and LA-based artist Mark Bradford to expand the art programs at our Nests in Tijuana and Athens. At each Nest, a dedicated art teacher introduces the children and their parents to a variety of materials including paint, pastels, light and shadow, fabrication, photography and textiles. Working alongside warm and nurturing art teachers, children attending the Nests have opportunities to be creative, tell their stories and heal in the process of creating art. The new Art Resource Library at our Tijuana and Athens Nests give children access to the inspiration that comes from other artists. Looking through images made by artists of different eras serves as a launch pad for children to explore their own unique internal imagery.
ART IS MAGICAL AND HELPS US HEAL. YOUNG CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA LEARN TO DISASSOCIATE FROM THEIR BODIES IN ORDER TO SURVIVE. THIS CAN LEAD TO TROUBLE WITH SELF REGULATION AND SELF CONTROL, MAKING IT HARD TO MAKE NEW FRIENDS, SIT FOR CIRCLE TIME OR WAIT IN LINE TO WASH HANDS. WE SEE THIS WITH SOME OF THE CHILDREN IN OUR CARE AT CANYON NEST AND WE HAVE SEEN THE IMPACT THAT ART CAN HAVE IN HELPING TO HEAL AND RESTORE THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION. -GLENDA LINARES, DIRECTOR OF CANYON NEST
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MEXICO -- CANYON NEST Image: 1-3 Images Text: Description / 2021 Update (200-275 words)
NEST ATHENS
CHOICE, VOICE AND COLLABORATION Since 2018, when PILAglobal opened a Nest on the Greek Island of Lesvos, Greek authorities have slowly been moving thousands of refugees from the eastern Aegean islands to the mainland capital of Athens as part of efforts to improve conditions in overcrowded island camps. For newly arriving refugee and migrant children in Athens, as well as those who’ve been in mainland camps for many months and years, life is intensely difficult. Access to Greek schools is limited for the youngest refugees, many of whom are vulnerable children who have fled conflict in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. To provide constructive learning opportunities and a safe space for refugee children to learn and grow, PILAglobal opened Nest Athens in 2021. In partnership with the nonprofit organizations Carry The Future and Action For Education, Nest Athens offers children a beautiful, educational space where they can safely do what all children have the right to do—PLAY.
THE WORK AT NEST ATHENS MEANS THAT WE ARE ALL HUMANS WITH RIGHTS AND POSSIBILITIES TO LEARN, GROW AND BUILD OUR FUTURES. THE NEST OFFERS REFUGEE FAMILIES A SAFE PLACE TO SPEND TIME WITH THEIR CHILDREN PLAYING, PRACTICING THE ARTS AND LEARNING LANGUAGES. IT GIVES THEM HOPE FOR A BETTER FUTURE. -DANIELE BISESTI, NEST ATHENS COORDINATOR
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NEST ZIMBABWE INSPIRING CURIOSITY, INVENTIVENESS AND INTELLECTUAL RISK-TAKING In Mbare, the first township established in Harare, Zimbabwe, access to early education is a critical component to the promotion of healthy development in orphaned and vulnerable children. Poverty and the persistent challenges that come with food insecurity prevent many children from attending school. PILAglobal has partnered with locally-based NGO, I AM Zimbabwe Trust, to build Nest Zimbabwe, a beautiful preschool for 60 children ages 3-5. Located at the I AM Mbare School for Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Nest Zimbabwe is equipped with engaging materials that spark a sense of curiosity, enchantment, and wonder. The children, who are served two meals a day, delight in learning about themselves and the world around them through the serious business of play.
IT IS A RIGHT FOR EVERY CHILD, REGARDLESS OF HIS OR HER BACKGROUND OR STATUS, TO ACQUIRE EDUCATION. AT NEST ZIMBABWE WE ARE HAPPY TO OFFER FREE QUALITY EDUCATION TO ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN MBARE. -MARGARET, TEACHER AT NEST ZIMBABWE
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GREECE Image: 1-3 Images Text: Description / 2021 Update (200-275 words)
NEST CONGO
Early education is critical for the children in Mumosho, Eastern DR Congo, where many are orphans or are unattended while their parents struggle to provide for their families. Often older siblings are charged with the care of the youngest family members, making it impossible for them to attend school themselves. Having a classroom where the youngest children are intellectually and socially engaged, fed, and cared for is an important systemic step in healing this war-ravaged country. In response to this need, PILAglobal partnered with Action Kivu and The Dillon Henry Foundation in May 2019 to build three preschool classrooms at Congo Peace School. We call them “The Nests”. The addition of a preschool to CPS enables 84 children ages 4-6 to attend school daily where they play with safe, appropriate materials, eat two meals and develop the dispositions needed to stop the cycle of violence and mistreatment of girls that plague their nation. Peaceful conflict resolution, respect for others and self begins early. Nest Congo provides young Congolese children, both boys and girls, opportunities to develop their own positive voice with which they can eventually shape a just and civil nation. NEST CONGO IS EQUITY IN PRACTICE AS IT PROVIDES QUALITY EDUCATION TO VULNERABLE AND WAR-AFFECTED CHILDREN LIVING IN EXTREME POVERTY. BY PROMOTING INDEPENDENCE AND FREEDOM IN THE LEARNING PROCESS– AS OPPOSED TO FORCING CHILDREN TO MEMORIZE FACTS– THE NEST ALLOWS CHILDREN TO TAKE INITIATIVE, THINK CRITICALLY AND PREPARES THEM TO BE LEADERS. -AMANI MATABARO TOM, FOUNDER OF CONGO PEACE SCHOOL
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PILAglobal Impact Statement
IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS
4,000 4countriescontinents 3 +
we’re working in spanning
children served worldwide
nest congo serves
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MOBILE NEST ON THE MOVE
serving 6 shelters 4 days a week
~
43,680 2021 nest zimbabwe celebrated its first graduating class
meals annually №
of participants in parenting program
625
500 nest athens & 115 young artists cultivated at
canyon nest
M | PILAglobal 2021 Annual Impact Report
CHILDREN PROVIDED WITH WARM CLOTHING
SUPPORTERS COMMITTED TO THE PILAGLOBAL MISSION
2,000+
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PILAglobal Partners
IT TAKES A VILLAGE LEADERSHIP GIFTS, SPONSORS & PARTNERS MAKE IT POSSIBLE Action for Education Action Kivu Aida Garcia-Toledo Al Otro Lado Alexandra Peters Alexia Monti Alise Ivey Angela Dyborn Ann Donahue Baby 2 Baby Barbara Chantry BelleAnn Baker Bob Baker Bruce & Judith Stern Capital Group Carl & Roberta Deutsch Foundation Carlthorp School Carry the Future Cassidy Preschool Centro 32 Chantal Spanicciati Charles Fanning Choose Love Christa Schenker Crossroads School Dale & Julie Yahnke Donna and Gary Freedman EPW & Family Foundation Erica Fisher Evergreen Community School Fairy Dust Teaching Florence Lemle Gary Saltz Foundation Gillian Wynn Glen Irani Harriet Zaretsky Hauser & Wirth
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Heather Haaga I am Zimbabwe Trust Jaime Jacobs-Rossfeld James Hernandez James Pipher Janis Horn Jessica Frazier Jim & Carmen Ward Joan Blatt Joe Weissert John Keker John Nimmo Judith Munzig Judith Raffel Judy Veerman Kaitie O’Brien Karen Sulzberger Kate Feldman Keni & Carol Kent Krishna & Robert Daly Laila Taslimi Lauren Shafer Leonard Lipman Linda Howard Luisa Donati Marcie Feldman Margot Tishler Maria-Elena Kolovos Maria-Elena Perales Matt Karlsen Melanie Green Melanie Greenberg Meridee Moore Myrna & Steve Greenberg Nan Zaitlen Nico Sanders Nina & Mitchell Quaranta
One Happy Family Patricia Finkel Peggy Bradley Pooja & Tom Hollenberg Rick Fourie Robert Van Nest Roshni Khemlani Ruth Segal Sally Haughey Sara Gilliam Sarah Street Everist Sharif Farag Sharon Ivey Stanford Medicine Susan Harris Mackay Susan Ochshorn Susan Saltz Tatyana Wexler Thérèse O'Neill Tina & George Kolovos UNICEF Valarie Kaur & Sharat Raju Velvet Hammerschmidt Wunderled Zanley Galton
Leadership Team
THANK YOU!
Lindsay Weissert
CEO lindsay@pilaglobal.org
Monika Whitfield
Managing Director monika@pilaglobal.org
Glenda Linares
Director of Global Programs glenda@pilaglobal.org
Thérèse O’Neill
Volunteer Chair therese@pilaglobal.org
We are deeply grateful to our community for your generous support. Thank you to those who contributed to PILAglobal and supported other Nest fundraising initiatives that keep our Nests financially healthy; empower us to develop new facilities and programs; and help us support the communities we serve.
Kaitie O’Brien Pedagogical Chair
Board of Directors Thérèse O’Neill Board Chair
Lindsay Weissert CEO
Maria-Elena Kolovos Secretary
Adriana Taboada Treasurer
Kaitie O’Brien Member
Shona Sen Member
FAREWELL ALISE
After 8 years of dedicated service and continual growth, Founder and Executive Director Alise Shafer Ivey has stepped down from her role with PILAglobal and is entering into a new chapter of retirement with her husband and PILAglobal volunteer extraordinaire, Tom Ivey.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN CONTRIBUTING TO THE PILAGLOBAL COMMUNITY? CONTACT US TO FIND OUT HOW: INVESTMENTS
Lindsay Weissert, CEO lindsay@pilaglobal.org
VOLUNTEERS
Thérèse O’Neill, Volunteer Chair/Board Chair therese@pilaglobal.org
GENERAL INQURIES Monika Whitfield, Managing Director monika@pilaglobal.org
CONNECT @pilaglobal @PILAglobal.org @pilaglobal
With a tremendous debt of love and gratitude we offer both Alise and Tom the very best as they embark on their new journey. www.pilaglobal.org
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