RootProject’s fourth campaign is complete!
Using a blockchain infrastructure, RootProject brings the power of markets to non-profit fundraising. By breaking down the barriers between donor, investor and project managers, our unique POE (Proof of Ecosystem) campaign process allows all of these stakeholders to build real solutions together, from beginning to end.
We are pleased to announce that the Numi Tea campaign is funded!
Over the weekend, we met our goal of $19,363.00. The funds contributed will support the implementation of a summer school program in 2019 modelled after the successful pilot that launched in 2018.
About the Pilot:
This summer, 25 sixth graders — mostly orphans and war victims in danger of dropping out of school in the Karkh district of Baghdad — participated in an 8-week long summer school program piloted by the Numi Foundation and Iraq Foundation. The idea for the program began ten years ago, when the CEO of Numi Tea, Ahmed Rahim, a Baghdad native, co-founded the Foundation with the aim of bringing art, gardening, and nature to at-risk children.
After decades of conflict left one in six Iraqi children orphaned and lacking basic education, Rahim was determined to make this idea a reality. “Education is a cornerstone for thriving, healthy, and peaceful communities, and we are grateful to have been able to collaborate with so many incredible leaders, supporters, and partners in this effort to empower children with educational programs” Rahim said.
During the 8-week program students participated in a mix of educational and cultural activities, with a focus on art enrichment, including a field trip to the national museum in Baghdad where students were given a guided tour with one of the curators. “They’d never had anything like this experience before and were so happy,” said Ms. Amina Mohammad, who is overseeing the program on behalf of the Iraq Foundation.
Students also attended a children’s festival titled “Let’s Write in Baghdad,” in which they were encouraged to write and illustrate their own stories and perform short plays. “The students enjoyed this activity so much,” said Ms. Mohammad, ‘it was both fun and educational for everyone.”
On the final day of the program, the students hosted a celebration attended by parents, teachers, local officials, and even the most popular Iraqi educational TV channel. Students showcased their artwork and talents. According to Rahim, “It was a really special day that confirmed we are on the right track with this program. And now with news of these campaigns funds, we are excited to get started on planning for next summer!”
Parents with children that did not make it into the program in 2018 were so happy with the program, they asked for its expansion to include more students in 2019, said Rend al-Rahim, Director of the Iraq Foundation.
“With the announcement of this successful campaign, we are thrilled to be able to tell students, parents, and teachers that we will be able to build off of this year’s success and expand the program next summer. We are hopeful that with this vote of confidence from the community, we can raise more awareness around the need for educational support for orphans and war victims and ultimately reach more children in more schools. This successful partnership with RootProject gives us a really strong foundation on which to build.” said Darian Rodriguez Heyman, Executive Director of Numi Foundation.
To assess the effectiveness of the pilot, at the end of the academic program, subject matter tests were administered, and according to staff, the students scored much better than they did during the school year and the teachers were very pleased with the results.
Said Rahim, “We are so grateful for this partnership with RootProject. Thank you, on behalf of Numi Tea, the Iraq Foundation, and all the students and teachers who learned so much this summer.”
