To commemorate World Creativity and Innovation day on the 21st of April 2023, GESCI in partnership with the Regional Education Learning Initiative (RELI) Values and Life skills cluster organized a site visit to the Arigatou international’s SDGs Academy for Children, in Limuru, Kenya. The purpose of the visit was to explore the Academy's innovative educational approach and best practices in promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Upon arrival, the RELI team was welcomed by the Academy's management team and staff who gave an introduction to the academy's history, mission, and vision. They highlighted the academy's commitment to promoting the SDGs through quality education and training programs that empower children to become agents of change in their communities.
It was further outlined that Arigatou International’s SDGs Academy for Children is a safe space (both physical and virtual) and programme for children’s participation, learning and action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Agenda 2030 in general. It seeks to bring children’s participation at the forefront of the SDGs, while empowering children and the community around them, towards the realization of sustainable development.
The RELI team was then then treated to a tour of the academy's facilities, which included innovative classrooms, workshops and recreational areas. Focus is placed on four physical hubs themed; Faith Hub, Innovation and Solutions Hub, Capacity Hub, Faith and Dialogue Hub, Fun and Media hub. The use of technology is emphasized with the SDGs Academy planning to roll out a virtual classroom in the near future. All these resources are geared towards peace education, sustainable development, and related fields.
It was interesting to note the Interfaith Initiative to End Child Poverty mobilizes faith communities and faith-inspired resources to help build a world free of child poverty. A global, multi-faith, child-centered initiative, End Child Poverty addresses the root causes of poverty in the human heart, and the structural causes of poverty in society. This is accomplished through theological reflection and action, advocacy and knowledge-sharing, and community-driven initiatives at grassroots and global levels to assist children in poverty. End Child Poverty believes in a world free of child poverty and invites all people of faith and goodwill to work together to make this vision a reality. End Child Poverty is based in Nairobi, Kenya together with the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC).
One of the highlights of the visit was a roundtable discussion with the academy's staff and students at the Dialogue Hub. The discussion covered various topics, including the role of education in promoting the SDGs, the challenges facing youth in Kenya, and the academy's initiatives to address these challenges. Overall, the visit was a success, and the RELI team was impressed by the the SDGs Academy, innovative educational approach and its dedication to promoting the SDGs. The academy's commitment to empowering young people through education and training is commendable, and it serves as a model for other educational institutions seeking to promote sustainable development in their communities.
The Academy’s activities closely tie in with RELI’s goals that support research and innovation in the education sector. The program works to identify and share best practices and innovative approaches to education in the region. Through research and collaboration, RELI aims to contribute to the development of sustainable and effective education systems in East Africa.
This write -up was compiled by Winnie Tubey, (PhD) and Boaz Ochi, Usawa Agenda.