Empowering Leaders of Tomorrow – Center for International Trade Development – CITD

HOW EDUCATE TOMORROW IS MEETING THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF COMMUNITIES IN AFRICA

BY BRETT MCNAUGHT

Educate Tomorrow is a non-profit organization based in Miami, Florida. The mission of the organization is to have a positive and enduring impact on those it serves, focused on post-secondary access and success, helping them mature into strong contributing members of their community.

Established in 2003, the organization’s founder Virginia Emmons and CEO, Brett McNaught met in Niger, West Africa as US Peace Corps Volunteers in 2001. In South Florida, Educate Tomorrow is known for providing academic support, economic stability, access to stable and affordable housing, as well as physical and emotional wellbeing for youths in foster care or unstable situations. Through Florida’s tuition waivers program, the non-profit assists young ones to complete high school and transition to college thereby giving them a future and hope.

In Africa, recognizing the critical role of education in addressing poverty, Educate Tomorrow serves in Niger within the West African bloc. Niger is ranked on the Human Development Index as one of the world’s poorest countries with over 10 million people living in extreme poverty. While half of the population in Niger is under the age of 15, about 50% of the children are not enrolled in school.

For the past 21 years, the organization has provided educational programs to a disadvantaged community of Kabey Fo in Niger, a small village located southeast of the capital, Niamey in West Africa. With a donation of $21,000, Educate Tomorrow established a primary school with four classroom education centers. Currently, the school is host to 6 grade levels serving around 100 students annually. This initiative has increased the literacy level in the community from near zero to almost 100% while it continues to offer vital educational opportunities to students in areas deeply deprived of educational infrastructure.

Demonstrating Florida’s interest in not only boosting bilateral relationship but fostering grassroot development in Africa, Educate Tomorrow also pays for the students’ meals, school supplies, transportation, boarding and other expenses. In addition, the organization has built and stocked a health care facility and trained health care workers to treat the people of the village.

Today, all the facilities built by the organization are not only serving students from Kabey Fo but providing a safe and supportive environment for students from other communities to further their education and increase their opportunities in life.

Educate Tomorrow remains committed to ensuring that children in Kabey Fo have access to the education, nutrition, and health care they need to pursue the highest level of education possible.