A whole-child approach to student learning and development, community schools unite school, family and communities; an approach that has improved student achievement, and family and community engagement across the country.
Meetings will feature the Broome County Promise Zone and Elmira City School District (CSD) community schools initiative, an innovative partnership among Binghamton University, local school districts and other community partners, working to improve outcomes for youth, families and communities. This model illustrates university-assisted community schools where university administration, faculty and students support the development, implementation and evaluation of community schools as an economic and community development strategy, and civic engagement initiative.
Laura Bronstein, dean of the College of Community and Public Affairs, the school that implemented and maintains the Binghamton University Community School initiative, will moderate the two-day event, which begins with an overview at Binghamton University’s Downtown Center from 5:45-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8.
Other speakers include MaryEllen Elia, commissioner of the New York State Education Department and president of the University of the State of New York; CCSSO chiefs from across the United States; Donald G. Nieman, Binghamton University provost and executive vice-president for academic affairs; Brian Rose, vice president of student affairs; and the superintendents and community schools coordinators of the Binghamton, Elmira, Johnson City, Union Endicott city school districts and Broome-Tioga BOCES.
The objective of this collaborative event is to promote an understanding of the community school strategy and its potential for school improvement, particularly in high-poverty areas; the context, structure, partners and impact of the Broome County and Elmira CSD university-assisted community schools initiative, with a focus on New York State, supported by the Broome County Promise Zone; and the role that state education agencies can play in supporting the development of community schools across the nation.
The Department of Social Work at Binghamton University’s College of Community and Public Affairs and the Southern Tier Homeless Coalition are again partnering to draw attention to the challenges of poverty through a Poverty Simulation, happening from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16 at the University Downtown Center.
The simulation experience is designed to expose participants to the realities individuals and families in poverty face, by having them assume the role of a low-income family member struggling to provide basic necessities and shelter over the course of a month.
Participants, may find themselves newly unemployed and facing eviction; a senior citizen unexpectedly raising grandchildren on a fixed income; or the victim of domestic violence seeking safety for themself and their young children.
The Simulation will be followed by a debriefing period to create space for participants to share their experiences and consider opportunities for change.
The event will be facilitated by Shari Weiss, community housing manager with Catholic Charities of Cortland County and moderated by Cassandra Bransford, associate professor, Department of Social Work, Binghamton University.
The Poverty Simulation will also incorporate a panel discussion from regional experts on local challenges and community efforts. Panelists include:
Scott Beattie – assistant superintendent for instruction, Windsor Central School District
Rev. Greg Johnson – senior pastor, Cornerstone Community Church; chaplain at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, and instructor with Broome County’s Re-Entry Program
Majeedah Razzaq – intensive housing family advocate, Opportunities for Broome, and member of the City of Binghamton’s Community Development Advisory Committee
Tonia Thompson – superintendent, Binghamton City School District
Nancy J. Williams-Frank – commissioner of Social Services and Community Mental Health, Broome County
Plan to arrive prior to 6 p.m. start of the simulation, which will begin on time. Food and refreshments provided.
Associate Professor Lisa Blitz, CCPA Social Work, with two friends.
The Malawi Children’s Mission Partnership (MCM) is a collaboration between a local businessman and members of CCPA that helps students from a range of disciplines address the profound intergenerational cycle of poverty in Broome County and the far-flung African country of Malawi.
Program volunteers repeatedly say they come away from the experience feeling they received more important life lessons than they delivered.
Moments from Malawi: Reflections from student volunteers is a blog series sharing the thoughts and experiences of MCM student volunteers in their own words. New stories will resume with the fall semster, but we’ve included three recently-featured student experiences to enjoy in the interim!
Thanks to all for the positive feedback and support of these posts on social media. We are so proud of our students, faculty and all who contribute to the work of the Malawi Children’s Mission Partnership (MCM).
This week offers a glimpseinto the essence of the MCM and what it is Binghamton University student volunteers, faculty and others, accomplish through their dedicated efforts to improve the quality of life for the children of Malawi who have been orphaned.
Is it just us or do those happy smiles reflect success?
“The MCM’s goal is for children to see themselves as loved, valued and thriving.”
Seven girls will be attending school in Malawi for one year, thanks to the fundraising savvy of an extraordinary 10-year old!
MCM recently thanked Joely for raising over $700 for the Young Women’s Initiative at the farmer’s market this summer.
An ambitious, in-progress career goal for this MCM student.
We can see why Wisdom’s bright future requires shades! He’s studying journalism, working toward his goal of becoming a radio announcer.
A rare and unusual show of technology (in Malawi).
A generous donation of iMacs from the Riverdale School offers a big technology step forward for the staff and students of the MCM.
Effervescent fun, courtesy Team Binghamton University!
“Bubbles. The universal language of fun! A small part of the joy brought by the Binghamton University team.” #binghamtonuniversity
Moments from Malawi will be back next Thursday, we look forward to seeing you then!
“Experiencing economic poverty does not equate to unhappiness.”
Part 1: Cautious anticipation and the bolstering effect of a journal
As the time quickly approaches to travel 7,762 miles away from family and close friends, I am at a loss for words. When I initially heard about the service learning trip I was head-over-heels, I knew it was an experience I wanted.
Now that I have completed all the requirements, packed my bags, starting planning and laid the foundation for the projects–I feel stuck. My family and friends continuously ask me “if I’m excited” and I reply with a soft and simple “yea.”
I’m not sure what’s going on, but I think it has a lot to do with nerves. Embarking on a journey I’ve never been on before, flying for over 15 hours to my destination, new food, new people, the unknown – I’m on autopilot. I keep thinking once I get to the airport, I’ll shake it off and re-light my fire of excitement, but for now, I guess I’m ready.
My hopes for arrival in Malawi is to take it day-by-day and to fully absorb everything I’m hearing, seeing and feeling.
I also took the advice of my peers, those who embarked on this journey last year, and invested in a journal. I want to be able to track and take notes of my journey and experiences as they happen. This, I know, will be a good resource for my own growth and the change I will experience when I get back to New York.
I also can’t wait to run around and play with the kids. The videos and pictures of them from the past trip were something that made me submit my application and I can’t wait to make my own memories.
Part 2: A feeling of home, the kid connection and the unimportance of things
This first week has been nothing less than heartwarming. I must say my excitement stems from a feeling of finally being “home.” Taking a trip to the motherland was a dream that has now turned into reality. Oddly enough I don’t feel out of place–driving around Malawi makes me feel at home. I feel as if I belong here and I’m already sure that this will not be the last trip I make to the country.
After landing in the Malawian airport and driving to Annie’s Lodge, I couldn’t wait to call my Mom and tell her how similar it is to being on the island of St. Croix, where my family is from. Attending church here and trying the local food helped me immediately identify parallels between the Malawian culture and the culture of my Caribbean family.
After traveling over a dirt road to the MCM community and finally meeting the children, I have to say I was surprised by their immediate connection with us. I felt even more at home with them at my side. They were not afraid to take a hand and play a game, but honestly kids are kids no matter the location.
There were moments that took me aback during visits to the village. I believed I had a vast amount of knowledge concerning the struggles these families endure. However, as we well know, hearing about something is not the same as actually seeing it.
Touring the homes of some of the kids, and hearing guardians share their experiences, stories, dreams and hopes for the children, warmed my heart. Each time a guardian shared something, the wheels in my head were turning, trying to figure out how I might be able to help these families after I leave. Their work ethic, sense of community and care for each member touched my heart.
My main concern so far is the confused perception of these families’ situations with the absence of happiness. I cannot and will not cease to express that these families are strong, resilient and HAPPY. Experiencing economic poverty does not equate to unhappiness.
My concern is more for their well-being. For example, the challenge of obtaining water. It is unbelievable how much they have to go through to get this necessity of life. One of the projects I would like to concern myself with when I return home is raising money to provide water bore holes for each village community that is home to children from the MCM academy. It may not be a project that will reap an immediate outcome, but it will happen.
Part 3: Girls demonstrate the value of “teaching a man to fish”
The services that MCM offers the families and children of the villages exceeded my expectations. I am amazed at the work being done to serve 150 students. One of the things that impresses me the most is that, even with limited staff and resources, they still manage to do so much.
The project that I came to MCM prepared for was to work with the Young Women’s Initiative. As we prepared projects and ideas to share, nothing felt effective because I didn’t know the girls I was going to meet; I didn’t know their attitudes, their work ethic or what they like to do. I was thinking of the girls I met in New York and how making sanitary pads, one of the proposed projects, would not have appealed to them. But it was a brilliant idea and we decided to proceed with it in Malawi.
As the time came closer for us to show the MCM girls the steps to make the pads, I became nervous.
To my surprise the girls were motivated to complete this project. They never complained, never gave up and the week-long project was completed successfully.
The girls exceeded my expectations and their work ethic surpasses that of most people I know. They were also very grateful to not just be given something, but to learn such an important skill.
MCM’s Ken shared his thoughts on “handouts,” saying that he finds it important for the children to learn skills, to have the ability to create things themselves and also to pass those skills on to peers and future generations. The community seemed to share that view.
We met with the village chiefs, who expressed their gratitude about the skills being learned by people in the villages. The chiefs also expressed their want for the young men to be included in similar learning. At the mention of this, my wheels started turning as to what ideas I can contribute to help the boys find a project, so they can learn valuable skills and potentially make money for their communities and themselves.
I love and appreciate all the possibilities for entrepreneurship that MCM allows. This organization will continue to have a place in my heart, as will the people of MCM, the driving force behind such a phenomenal mission to change lives. The children of the three villages are lucky, in my opinion, to have such a strong community raising them. My time here illustrated to me the well-known saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.”
Part 4: Gratitude
I remember when I initially told family and friends I had applied to a service-abroad project, that their reaction was one of excitement. Everyone couldn’t wait to hear about how I helped “those orphaned kids on the other side of the world.” Even I couldn’t wait for what adventure might unfold. During the two-and-a-half weeks of our trip, my mind raced to process and interpret everything that I saw, smelled, touched and heard.
The most mind boggling part for me, as I previously shared, is that everything felt so familiar, that I felt so at home. The only thing different was the language, although the language barrier did not interfere with the love and care I quickly developed for the people and the country of Malawi.
On my immediate return to New York, I began sharing stories of my Malawian experience. Many of my family and friends were shocked, unaware of how westernized Malawi is, especially referring to how much English they spoke.
Many people were also amazed that the children at MCM didn’t look “starving.” (The images of starving orphaned African children was what many people unfortunately knew about Africa.) One thing I always share about the people I met in Malawi is how extremely hard working they are. Everyone I met was inquisitive and ready to learn.
As I write this, I’m still trying to understand fully the ways this experience will stay with me forever. Of course I’ve met a great deal of people that I may never forget, thanks to special photographs and videos, but what can I take away and apply to my professional life?
The answer currently is that this Malawian experience has added onto my drive to help people excel in life. It has also pushed me to take advantage of everything that I am afforded. I am fortunate to be in a position where my parents still work countless hours to afford necessities, but they can acquire them.
I interacted with people in Malawi who have few material things, but a lot of heart and drive. If the opportunity to further themselves or their community presented itself, I’m positive they will take advantage of it.
As a person living in America, I see opportunity and feel obliged to take advantage of it. Whether it be an opportunity to help myself excel or to help others, an opportunity presented should not be passed up.
I don’t want to take anything for granted, because even my ability to walk to the supermarket is an opportunity that children and families living in a rural Malawian village don’t have. As I continue to process my thoughts, reactions and reflections from this trip, I will remind myself to not take my situation for granted.
“They have taught me more than I ever feel I could begin to teach them about the human connection and what it means to be a good person in the face of adversity. I cannot wait to learn more!”
Part 1: Elation, anxiety and what to pack
Yesterday, I stood at the foot of my bed for what seemed like forever, staring at the open luggage with my personal belongings neatly packed away. I went through my list about a dozen times, making absolutely sure that I had everything I could need. Frustrated, I dumped the luggage and repacked everything again. How can I possibly be ready for this kind of opportunity?
It’s hard to coherently put my feelings about studying abroad in Malawi into a blog. I’m elated, nervous, anxious, while at the same time I’m not really feeling anything at all because it hasn’t really sunk in yet. I don’t think it will until I’m on that 14-hour flight across the Atlantic. On another note, I got sick this week, so I haven’t exactly had the chance to get too excited about anything. I hope this throat thing goes away by the time I get on the plane.
All these worries and trivial things to get anxious about make me laugh as I type this. I’m going to Africa! My worries about what clothes I’ve packed and what snacks I’ll bring or what I’ll do on the plane will be null and void. It doesn’t matter there. What matters is the work that will be put into empowering the lives of teachers, grandparents and the kiddos in Malawi. I’m so excited to meet them all, and I’m hoping they’ll like me.
Life will be so different for the next three weeks. I keep forging scenarios in my head of what it might be like, feel like, taste like, but I know there’s no possible way to know. This unknown is what makes me most nervous. Will I succeed in what I’m trying to do? Will the people benefit from our work? Will it last on both them and myself? How can I carry this experience with me for the rest of my life? How will I change? These are just a few of the hundreds of questions bouncing around my head, and I hope to answer a fraction of them by the time the wheels drop back onto the U.S pavement.
This will change my life forever, and I am so ready.
Part 2: A case of the cankles, the beauty of Africa and “oh my gosh, the kids!”
I have been in Blantyre, Malawi for a week already, and there is so much to reflect on that I hardly know where to start and how to finish. Being in Africa has surpassed all expectations and has quieted the initial anxieties I felt before the journey here. The flight itself was excruciatingly long, but the swollen ankles and tired crankiness of myself and my cohort made the arrival worth it.
The drive to our lodgings gave me my first look at Africa, and how beautiful and vast it is. The mountains in the distance and little shops on the side of the streets welcomed me temporarily home as people waved back at me and my eagerness. If random strangers waved at locals in the States, the general feelings would be confusion, disinterest or probably annoyance. Every person I smiled or waved at here greeted me with a genuine smile and wave in return. I was honestly surprised!
We were all welcomed by the exceedingly friendly staff at Annie’s Lodge, with Ms. Pauline quickly trying to teach us Chichewa. “Wawa!”, “Mulibwanje?”, “Dzinalakondani?”. Hello! How are you? What’s your name? She is still a VERY patient teacher. We were brought to our rooms, completed with mosquito nets over the beds to protect from the bugs and mosquitoes.
The next day we met our drivers, who have continued to be incredibly patient, protective and wonderful to us slightly-boisterous Americans. Charles, Japhet and Peter have become part of our little family, and their knowledge of Blantyre and the culture has helped deepen our own understanding and learning experience. They never seem to tire of all our questions!
The first few days in Malawi were so emotionally demanding and overwhelming. The first ride to MCM was physically rough and none of us were prepared for the experience. I wasn’t prepared for many things, especially the way the staff and students at MCM made me feel.
Phoebe (pictured below) was the first to meet us, and I think she looked as nervous as I felt, only probably worse considering there were 20 pairs of eager eyes boring into her! Phoebe must be the most gracious, kind woman I’ve ever met. The love for her work, community, and kids at MCM clearly shows, and I can only hope to retain a fraction of that passion for my own pursuits in life.
Phoebe Kufeyani, MCM Social Work Director (right), shown here with Prof Youjung Lee (left)
After touring the facilities, we got to walk in on the classrooms and get our first glimpse of the students and teachers. The rooms, while small, were inviting and emanated a positive learning environment. The teachers were very welcoming as well and were excited to have us and introduce us to the kids.
Oh my goodness, the kids! I was not prepared at all for how instantly loving, trusting and excited they all were to meet us! They made posters and songs in welcome and blessings, yet I was the one who truly felt blessed. I was very surprised that small clusters of kids seemed to “choose” each of us, and the same groups have stuck with me ever since! They held my hand, took an abundance of pictures and videos with me, attempted to teach me Chichewa, and played any and every game they could with me.
I never felt so important to a person before, and I was so humbled and happy to meet them and learn from them. However, it was also very exhausting. They are definitely an energetic bunch! The physical exhaustion was closely aligned with mental and emotional exhaustion as well, partly from the jet lag and partially from the mere experience of it all.
The first couple days were village visits, and seeing where the kids lived was kind of bittersweet to me. On one hand, seeing the poverty and struggles of daily survival with their families and community broke my heart, I felt anguish for them. Yet interacting with them at the school and seeing how much love and kindness they have for others completely floored me. They have taught me more than I ever feel I could begin to teach them about the human connection and what it means to be a good person in the face of adversity. I cannot wait to learn more!
Part 3: Sex, beauty and the life-changing impact of kindness
Working with the Young Women’s Initiative, I realized that I had begun the work under the impression that young women in Malawi would be so much more culturally different than young women in the U.S. However, I found this to be untrue as I got to know the girls more. While some topics about womanhood and sexual education are considered taboo in this culture, I understand the reasoning behind that and the significance it holds on the girls attending MCM. For example, since MCM is a faith-based organization, abstinence is the primary focus in regard to sex education.
I struggled with this, especially since it is my personal belief that safe sex and preventive measures against pregnancy and STIs are crucial to young women’s education. Therefore, the service learning group working with the initiative could not teach these preventive tactics or discuss them in depth.
To promote safe sex in the culture emanates the idea of promiscuity. If a young woman attending MCM becomes pregnant, she is to leave the school. While I understand the reasoning behind this, I also find it frustrating to be unable to provide the knowledge and resources in possibly preventing that pregnancy to begin with.
Sex education and woman’s health are still relatively recent and controversial topics to openly have in the U.S. Even my own education consisted of scare tactics among the students, showing pictures of the worst diseases and encouraging abstinence. However, I feel that it is important and empowering to learn about our bodies and functions early in life, regardless of discomfort.
Despite inability to heavily focus on sex and health, I feel that the Young Women’s Initiative was a very inspiring group to work with. Chikondi was the group facilitator, and she was a wonderful asset to my own learning and experiences. She was very knowledgeable about what the girls were going through, and helped my group determine what topics we could and should not discuss.
One day we had a discussion on self-esteem and what that meant for all of us. While many of the girls said true beauty consisted of kindness, treating others well and being strong, they did not see themselves as beautiful based on physical features. This saddened me, but it sounded just like any girl their age ranging from 11-19.
“I am smart, I am beautiful, I am worthy.”
We had the girls take out a piece of paper, write their name at the top, and write one thing they loved about themselves. They then had to pass it to the person next to them so they could write what they loved about that person.
This was repeated multiple times until the papers were filled with positivity and what the women liked about each other. This moment was so empowering and I could see the joy it brought the girls to see themselves as others did: beautiful.
We had the girls repeat a mantra to say to themselves every morning; “I am smart, I am beautiful, I am worthy.” Each repetition of the verse grew louder and more confident, and I could feel nothing but pride in the love they had for each other and the gaining love for themselves.
Part 4: Lessons in termination, non-assumption and cultural competency
A week ago today I said goodbye to the staff at MCM and the kids I worked with. It was such an emotionally hard and exhausting day, and I could feel the sadness of my classmates as they also said their goodbyes. That day was hardest for me when the car was pulling away, and I could see one of the little girls I was closest with crying and trying to hide it.
It broke my heart because she didn’t shed a single tear the entire day or even act bothered by my pending departure. This in itself taught me not to make assumptions about what people may be feeling or how/when they express those feelings. It was a lesson I will carry with me throughout my career, and a moment I will never forget. I wish I could have comforted her.
Termination became a focused theme throughout our time in Malawi, but I don’t think it became a realistic process until we were already gone. Professionals discuss the importance of terminating with clients from the beginning of work and service, in order for it to be less painful for both workers and clients at the end.
For me personally, I realized that I had put termination on the back burner of my mind because I was so consumed with the present work I was trying to do. I was thrown into a whirlwind of emotions, practices, relationships, culture change and experiences that I didn’t have time in the short 3-week period to truly think about and prepare for what happens at the end. I was engrossed in my busy schedule, debriefing, then sleep.
How could I possibly prepare to say goodbye to the people I’d grown to love? It helped to write and receive letters from those I grew close to and I think it also helped that the students we served were used to groups coming and going throughout the year. However, this fact didn’t make it hurt any less for me. I think these hard lessons about termination will help me later in my professional development.
This experience was so unique in regard to client/worker relationship building, because the relationships grew instantly and intensely in such short span of time. I think that is what made it difficult for me in the end to part ways. This will not always be the case throughout my career, but now I know how important it is to take that time aside to work through the end with my clients.
It’s difficult to concisely describe all the ways in which I know this service learning experience has helped shape my personal and professional development. All nine social work competencies were practiced while in Malawi, something I could not even say happened in my last field placement for a whole year.
I learned the utmost importance of cultural competency and sensitivity to different belief systems, as well as beginning to understand where I stand as a white American woman with privilege and opportunity.
Hopefully, I will be able to practice in ways that fully encompass all that I have learned, and how to use my privilege in ways that empower instead of oppress.
This learning opportunity was incredible in so many ways, and I can only hope to share a fraction of the experiences, emotions and work with others to inspire people to do the same.
“We say goodbye, goodbye, but not forever.”
~Shannon
Watch for more Moments from Malawi, sharing the first-hand experiences of Binghamton University student volunteers in the Malawi Children’s Mission (MCM) Program.
“He handed me a canvas that said “I love you Thom. Feel Freee.” This moment was filled with emotions and will be something that I remember for the rest of my life.”
Part 1: Excitement, challenges and a nervous mom
Never studying abroad before or even leaving the country prior to this trip, made me and more importantly, my mother very nervous! As a CCPA student in both undergrad and now graduate school, I always heard of study abroad opportunities throughout both CCPA and the University as a whole.
Starting as a graduate student this past fall I stumbled upon this program through an email list serve. What attracted me to the Malawi program over others was the sustainability aspect to the project that I saw and heard from students who attended the program last summer.
One of the struggles I faced leading up to this trip was how close my brother’s wedding was to the day that we’d be returning. With my brother’s wedding being in my parents yard a great deal of preparation around the house needs to be done leading up to the big day.
Another challenge…leaving the country has always been a major fear of mine. Being actively involved in student government, I’ve always been very interested in federal politics and international affairs. With everything going on in the world it has always frightened me to leave the U.S. and then have something happen, either here in the States or abroad.
Two days before leaving for Africa it really hit me. It really came full circle that Malawi was no longer just a thing that I was going to be doing in May, but rather something that was really happening in a few days. Walking into JFK and seeing everyone ready to get on the plane, I became even more excited.
As I sit on the plane right now and look around at all the people from around the world, I couldn’t be more excited and thankful for this trip and all that will come out of it.
Part 2: Unexpected emotion, the shock of educating in poverty and a life-changing friend named “Chimwemwe”
Week one in Malawi, complete. There is and has been, a lot going on in my head throughout this week, much like many of my peers on this trip. Growing up, my friends have always made note that I don’t have “emotions” and if I do, you certainly won’t be seen me showing them in public.
This week, my emotions were tested. I have always had a passion for working with children and in the education arena. Driving up to MCM on Monday this week, my view and scoop on education, children living in extreme conditions and poverty, has drastically changed and changed for the better.
This week, I threw myself into as many activities and opportunities as possible. As a leader of the community schools work group, I visited classrooms and meeting with teachers. This experience was eye opening.
It was difficult for me to follow along with the class lecture because of the shock I was feeling as I looked around the classroom. Conditions seen in this room was ones I’d never seen before. For example, this classroom had no desks, but rather plastic chairs that the students worked at. Supplies for students are minimal in all classrooms and something that was discussed prior to our arrival, but I wasn’t anticipating it being to this degree.
Following my classroom visit, I was walking back to the main MCM building when I heard a voice behind say “Uncle!” This is when I met Chimwemwe. He stood there holding a soccer ball (football), smiling and eager to play. I knew this would be my buddy throughout my stay in Malawi.
Tom with Chimwemwe
We ended up playing soccer every day since. Our soccer games started off as just the two of us and have grown to a large group of boys. I instantly came to the realization that I was not only out of shape, but every time I would get the ball I was reminded that my foot skills were not up to par with Chimwemwe and his friends at MCM! Chimwemwe, myself and other boys at the school played not only soccer but basketball, baseball and made paper airplanes.
On Friday, Chimwemwe, grabbed my hand and brought me over the arts and crafts area and started drawing me a picture. He used a mini canvas board and shielded what he was writing from me until he was done with it.
He handed me a canvas that said “I love you Thom. Feel Freee.” This moment was filled with emotions and will be something that I remember for the rest of my life.
I am eager to return to MCM on Wednesday after the Lake and enjoy the five days left at MCM.
Tom and the boys. Chimwemwe sporting the Cowboys tee and big grin.
Part 3: Program gratification, the importance of internet access and hopeful plans for the future
This past Saturday was one of my most enjoyable days here in Africa. For the second time, fellow classmates, Dr. Blitz and myself met with MCM’s teachers and administrators dove into the of best ways to teach and educate students who might be struggling with trauma and toxic stress. In my opinion, this was both engaging and informative.
The partnership MCM has with Binghamton University is unique in that the projects and initiatives such as teacher training, soap making or young women’s initiative, to name a few, are all looked at as long-term projects.
From the start, it was understood by all those attending this trip that whatever we provide to MCM with our projects, it needed to be sustainable and able to be continued once we leave. I believe we accomplished that across all our programs. The teachers’ who attended the training showed both enthusiasm and eagerness to learn from us, which was exciting.
Following our three-hour training, myself and my peers immediately started to discuss ways to make trainings such as the one we assisted with more consistent and frequent. We discussed why it would be difficult to provide additional trainings throughout the school year from the U.S.
I believe the biggest issue and difficulty is the poor internet and Wi-Fi in Malawi. Hosting an online video training from the U.S. would be challenging.
Exciting for both the partnership between the University and MCM is the possibility of bringing Malawi educators Phoebe and Henock to the U.S. for an education conference in New York and a visit to the Binghamton area.
This opportunity would allow them to attend a professional development conference surrounding education and meet like-minded educational professionals. Bringing Phoebe and Henock to the Binghamton area to visit local K-12 schools would be an amazing experience.
Watch for more Malawi Moments, sharing the first-hand experiences of Binghamton University student volunteers in the Malawi Children’s Mission (MCM) Program.
Volunteers who work with the Malawi Children’s Mission Partnership (MCM) repeatedly say they come away feeling they have received more important life lessons than they delivered.
Beginning with our next post, we’ll be sharing thoughts and experiences from student participants in a new series:
Moments from Malawi: Reflections from student volunteers
About the Malawi Children’s Mission Partnership (MCM)
This partnership is a collaboration between a local businessman and members of CCPA that helps students from a broad range of disciplines address the profound intergenerational cycle of poverty in Broome County and the far-flung African country of Malawi.
I first became interested in philanthropy and grant making through Professor David Campbell’s Philanthropy and Civil Society course, which I took during the spring semester of my freshman year. I left the course with a passion for philanthropy but no true “next step” in applying the concepts and critical thinking skills I had learned. Volunteering at a local non-profit and attending several MPA information sessions confirmed my interest in making a career out of philanthropy, but I found myself, a year later, still with absolutely no idea how to make that happen. Naturally, I jumped at the opportunity to attend the Youth Philanthropy Connect Northeast Regional Conference on June 14th. Alongside my fellow Philanthropy and Civil Society alum, Nick Doran, I headed to the Centre for Social Innovation in New York City with the hope that I would connect with other young people and adults who could provide me with a “next step.”
Upon my arrival, I was immediately impressed by the energy of the other conference attendees. I knew that I was surrounded by a truly special group of people, united by the common goal of promoting youth philanthropy in our region. The day’s program offered sessions for both young people and adults, with the adult sessions focusing on increasing youth civic engagement in our communities.
The conference itself was not very large, with maybe 50 to 60 people (young people and adults) in attendance. However, this made it much easier to get to know the people that we would be spending our day with. Most of the program, including presentations on philanthropy models from some of the foundations and programs represented at the conference, and a presentation on philanthropy in New York City, included all attendees. However, there were breakaway sessions in which we could choose what small group discussions we wanted to take part in. I chose to attend a workshop about the relationship between social justice and philanthropy, in which we discussed the importance of supporting organizations that get to the root of social issues, rather than simply providing temporary solutions. Additionally, I participated in a discussion about careers and futures in philanthropy where I learned that there is not one set path that will lead me to a successful career in philanthropy. Listening to the life stories of various philanthropic leaders inspired me to identify the causes I care about and to decide how I want to become involved with those causes.
The most beneficial aspect of the conference for me was definitely the smaller discussion groups. These groups allowed me to network not only with impressive figures in the field of philanthropy, but also with inspiring youth philanthropists. Some of the young people had started their own nonprofits, while others, like Nick and I, had participated in grant making courses at their own schools. One of the adults who was running the conference had actually participated in a course funded by the Learning by Giving Foundation during her time at Tufts University, so it was interesting to compare our experiences!
We ended our day by giving away microgrants based on research we had done and grant proposals we had received and reviewed prior to attending the conference. We went through a process similar to that used in the Philanthropy and Civil Society course, although this process moved much faster than our class’ did. It was exciting to hear how other young people had approached a process like this in the past, and I enjoyed working with them to come to a consensus. We ended up giving $2,500 to The Possibility Project, a youth-led program that puts on musicals inspired by the teens’ own life stories, and $2,500 to Youth Communication’s Intensive Summer Writing Program, which provides workshops to inner-city youth and allows them to share their stories and develop critical writing skills.
Overall, I found the conference to be an excellent way for me to rediscover my passion for philanthropy and to connect with other youth philanthropists who share my passion! Although I still do not know exactly what my future in philanthropy holds, I now know that I am a part of a larger network of young change-makers, and that my “next step” is to stay connected with these leaders so we can work together to change the future of philanthropy.
Martha Engle
Binghamton University, Class of 2017
B.A. Psychology and B.A. French Language and Linguistics
On November 8 and 9, 2017 the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), the Coalition for Community Schools and Binghamton University, will meet to share and discuss the Binghamton University Community School initiative, an event that includes site visits to two rural community schools that are part of the Broome County Promise Zone.
pes for arrival in Malawi is to take it day-by-day and to fully absorb everything I’m hearing, seeing and feeling.
r touched my heart.
I learned the utmost importance of cultural competency and sensitivity to different belief systems, as well as beginning to understand where I stand as a white American woman with privilege and opportunity.
