KP Handbook

Promoting Education as a Force for Good Promoviendo la Educaciรณn como una Fuerza para el Bien

THE KINDRED PROJECT

WHO WE ARE?

A simple way of empowering the voice of youth to shape a better world!

The Kindred Project is a unique studentled Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) set up in 2010 by Sotogrande International School (Spain) with the goal of enabling and empowering students to use education as a force for good in the world. Since then, we have evolved into an independent Spanish registered Trust working with schools across the world.

We strongly believe that proactive, responsible young people are essential for overcoming the problems in the world, and thus must be encouraged and supported as drivers of positive change within their local communities and beyond.

Placing these convictions at the heart of our work, through innovative, sustainable and inclusive programmes, The Kindred Project seeks to support schools in setting up and developing their Global Citizenship and Community Action initiatives, as well as the creation of their own student-led NGO. To develop sustainable partnerships and meaningful connections for the schools we support, we work with organisations around the world with the aim of supporting communities in overcoming hardships by increasing the access to and the quality of education, as well as developing social entrepreneurship models.

Interested? Take a look at some of the projects we do with Sotogrande International School (SIS).

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THE KINDRED PROJECT AT SIS

SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP - The Kindred Project has been instrumental in the development of SIS’ whole school Global Citizenship Strategy in collaboration with the school’s leadership team, right from the definition of its mission, to the design and implementation of its unique whole school Global Citizenship curricular and service learning programme.

We are also deeply involved in securing the International Certification granted by the Council of International School’s, which will officially recognise the impact of SIS’ Global Citizenship Programme.

IB PYP - The Kindred Project supports the IB PYP curriculum by running classroom sessions in connection with the Units of Inquiry and supporting their action based activities for the module. As well as this we organise local service learning opportunities.

IB MYP - The Kindred Project has played a key role in the design of SIS’ unique Global Citizenship Program (GCP) that runs from M1M4, supporting the areas of social entrepreneurship and service learning. We also support students with community focused ideas during their ‘Community Project’ in M3 and ‘Personal Project’ in M5.

IB Diploma - The Kindred Project supports IB students with their Creativity, Action and Service (CAS), an integral part of the IB Diploma curriculum. The opportunities provided at school, in the local and global community give students the opportunity to fulfil the requirement of the IB Diploma.

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THE KINDRED PROJECT AT SIS

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES - Students of all ages at SIS have the opportunity to lead The Kindred Project, their own NGO. They can join the weekly The Kindred Project Primary and Secondary Clubs and be part of the student leadership team supporting the running of the NGO. The students can also join the Social Entrepreneurs Club developing ideas and businesses for a better world.

By being involved in The Kindred Project, students are able to participate in valuable learning and intercultural exchange experiences that have a positive impact for both students and our community partners alike; helping increase awareness of the world we live in, promote respect between different ways of life, whilst enabling students to pro-actively begin to identify sustainable solutions. Students harness a sense of responsibility as world citizens, as well as the confidence not only to embrace and adapt to change, but the belief that they can make a difference and how to manage and influence it.

“First hand experiential learning you can´t teach in a class; you have to leave the classroom and you need to go feel it, touch it, smell it... That´s when the real learning takes place.”

Kerry Wickersham, SIS CAS Coordinator

SIS PARTNERS

“I can say our success has depended on the support given by Sotogrande International School...it is wonderful that every April during the D1 CAS trip, myself, the Association and the entire community of Asni celebrate the birthday of our friendship and partnership.�

Hassan Edderjoun, President of Association Tiwizi

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ASSOCIATION TIWIZI MOROCCO

Association Tiwizi in Asni, Morocco was originally founded in 1998 and became a partner of The Kindred Project in 2007. It is a community based association which focuses on education, environmental protection, capacity building and networking in order to assist social and economic development in the local area, Asni.

In collaboration with The Kindred Project, SIS run their annual D1 CAS trip’s to Asni.

Prior to travelling the D1’s organise a big fundraising initiative and take the funds raised with them to Asni to develop Association Tiwizi’s key projects. Donations have been used to support the local girl’s boarding house, the local maternity unit, primary and secondary schools, the construction of roads, terracing, reforestation and irrigation systems.

As well as this, in 2008 SIS students developed a social entrepreneurship initiative to attract eco-tourism to the area. By developing a website and leaflets, Association Tiwizi now receives over 15 schools a year! In addition, we initiated the growing of organic Saffron, with students planting the first bulb over 5 years ago; the Association now produces 3kgs a year to sell.

“The progress that is being made is a testament to the passion, dedication and hard work of Hassan and the ever-growing team of local and global friends. This has become a truly inspirational, successful project” Kevin Stone, SIS Head of Middle School 6

NCLC UGANDA

Nabugabo Community Learning Centre (NCLC) in Uganda has been one of The Kindred Project’s partners since 2012. The school was set up by David and Judy Batten, former teachers of SIS to create a peaceful and sustainable future for the children of the Nabugabo area by ensuring that they are educated in a safe and secure environment.

The school was built with the help of SIS students during their annual trips. With support from The Kindred Project through donations, fundraising events and expeditions, NCLC continues to succeed with almost 100 pupils, 1/3rd of which are sponsored by the SIS community!

“Thank you so, so … so much’ does not really convey the depth of gratitude that the community here feels for its close connection with SIS. Without SIS, the school simply would not exist. Simply phenomenal!”

Dave Batten, Co-Founder of NCLC 7

HOGAR BETANIA SPAIN

Nuevo Hogar Betania has been our local partner since 2013. It is a non-profit association in La Linea, Spain, that helps those at risk of social exclusion to normalise their lives. The centre runs a 1 year residential programme for over 35 people, including an employment programme. It also runs an overnight homeless shelter with another 25 beds.a daily soup kitchen feeding over 200 families. They also have a safe house for women and children who are victims of human trafficking and gender violence. During the summer months they run a camp for children in need. It is the only multi-purpose centre of its kind in the whole of Andalucia.

When we arrived at Hogar Betania the centre was on the verge of closing down. The Kindred Project helped fund and students physically participated in the restoration of the centre which was derelict. With our support in the last few years Hogar Betania has been able grow immensely and strengthen their network of donors to keep the centre going and growing.

“At an educational level, I feel the hands on work SIS is doing locally is pioneering and I am delighted that our relationship with SIS exists because you are a huge part of our change” Begoña Arana, Director of Hogar Betania 8 6

YANAPUMA FOUNDATION ECUADOR

The Yanapuma Foundation in Ecuador has been one of The Kindred Project’s partners since 2008. Their mission is to bring about lasting change for some of the most marginalised people of Ecuador.

We have supported the implementation of a language rescue project to develop interactive materials for the Kichwa and Sapara languages, as well as a programme to promote and protect the Tsa’chila culture. In addition The Kindred Project implemented an intercultural exchange programme where Spanish online classes were given by Ecuadorian teachers to non-spanish speaking SIS students. In the summer of 2016, 17 SIS students took part in the first expedition to Ecuador to work hand in hand with the indigenous Tsachila community.

“Your team work, commitment, leadership, attitude, sense of humour, respect to others, interest for our culture and willingness to help us in the future is something no other group has offered before and we are very thankful for it.”

Alfonso Aguavil, Tsa’chila Leader 9

SUPPORTING STUDENT INITIATIVES

Danii Children’s Cancer Charity Founded by Danii Dick, a former SIS student, who successfully recovered from two cancer diagnoses whilst studying at Sotogrande International School. She set up her own charity to support children with cancer and their families. Danii has become a role model for our school community and we are very engaged in supporting her fundraising activities.

EKO Kitchen was set up by ex SIS student Josh Turner Hunt in March 2016 to provide healthy nutritious meals to refugees stranded in northern Greece. With our support Josh was able to have enough funds to build the community kitchen and enable it to grow, and with a team of volunteers they now provide 2000 meals a day.

“I thank you...The Kindred Project for supporting me, arriving with decent money in the bank allowed us to really make this kitchen happen” Josh Turner Hunt, Eko Kitchen 10

JOIN THE KINDRED PROJECT NETWORK Looking for ways of...

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Developing a meaningful whole school Global Citizenship Strategy?

Running unique Service Learning Expeditions abroad?

Creating sustainable projects with local and global partners?

Starting your own student-led NGO? Promote student’s social entrepreneurship initiatives?

Contact us

kpteam@sis.gl www.thekindredproject.gl @Kindred_Project TheKindredProject “Most importantly it allows us to learn more about ourselves, and realise the potential we have to help and to make changes” Flora Sträuli, SIS Alumni 11

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