Akilah students design and implement Social Change Projects as part of their Leadership Program. These projects require that students employ critical thinking and project management skills by:
1. Identifying a community issue
2. Investigating the root cause of the issue
3. Devising a project that tackles the root cause.
Diploma Year 1
Students determine which community issues they are passionate about and learn more about those issues by completing service learning and volunteer projects with community organizations. Students gain a deeper understanding of the issues that exist in the community, the underlying causes and methods NGOs are using to address the issue.
Diploma Year 2
Students work in teams to identify a community need, investigate the root causes of that need and design a project that creates change. The projects provide opportunities for students to practice problem solving, public speaking, task management and teamwork. The projects also strengthen the connection between the Akilah student body and their surrounding community.
Past Projects
-Tutored elementary school students in English and public speaking
-Taught health and nutrition courses at a local orphanage
-Educated elderly women on varying their diet through gardening
-Taught entrepreneurship skills to women artisans.
Akilah’s social change project model is based on curriculum developed by Girls For A Change, an internationally recognized program that empowers girls to create social change. The Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund and Yahoo! for Good have provided the support Akilah social change projects.
Watch Akilah students discuss their Social Change Projects:
