Sponsor A Student in School
Many children across the world are unable to go to school due to unstable home lives, and fees associated with “free” education (uniforms, supplies). They lack a supportive home life, struggle for basic necessities and services, and are unaware of what social services may be available to them. Without the basic necessities of life or any sort of programmatic intervention or support network, such boys and girls have no possibility of self-sufficiency, and no chance of positively participating in their communities.
The MindLeaps Dance & Data program utilizes a comprehensive core dance curriculum to develop cognitive skills and social-emotional learning, while incorporating individualized monitoring to determine when youth have reached improved levels of critical thinking.
After completing the MindLeaps program, these students are ready to reintegrate into academic schools or vocational training. Sponsoring a child in school allows you to contribute to our programs through helping our students to go to school and get the education they need.
Nadine, Rwanda
Graduated from Vocational Training
Yvonne, Rwanda
Graduated from Vocational Training
YOUR IMPACT
In 2023, MindLeaps is seeking support to sponsor 670 children to go to school. MindLeaps has been sponsoring students in school since 2012, and dozens of students have now graduated. Not only does your sponsorship provide the students with the items listed below, it will change their lives forever. Read more about the stories of our graduates on the left.
Sponsorship provides each student with:
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School Tuition
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Clothes/Uniforms
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School Supplies
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Essential Meal Support
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Family Strengthening
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Health Insurance
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Tutoring Support
In 2023, MindLeaps is supporting children to go to school in 4 countries: Rwanda, Uganda, Mauritania and Guinea. In Uganda and Mauritania, we thank our multi-year sponsors for making this education possible:
ABOUT FAWSIA
Fawsia is a quiet and sweet girl who loves music, reading, and her friends. She loves all the classes at MindLeaps, and also loves the free time outside of class where she spends her time talking to her friends and reading books. One of our volunteer dance teachers, Cassidy, said that Fawsia loves borrowing her iPod and listening to music.
ABOUT YVONNE
Yvonne is 18 years old and made it to 7th grade before dropping out due to extreme poverty. She lives in Nyakabanda with her parents, six sisters, and two brothers. With nine children, the parents were unable to support all the children in school and Yvonne had to drop out before attending secondary school. Her dream for the future is to study tourism and have a career in Rwanda’s booming tourism industry.
STUDENTS READY FOR SPONSORSHIP
Bruno, Rwanda
Needs day school sponsorship
ABOUT BRUNO
16-year-old Bruno lives in Kigali with his parents and is the youngest of seven siblings. He has a passion for Afro dance and joined MindLeaps in 2021 when his school identified him as a student facing difficulties in paying school fees. Bruno is currently enrolled in Grade 10, studying Mathematics, Economics and Computer Science. He hopes to be able to go on to university and has his sights set on becoming an IT engineer. Before joining MindLeaps, Bruno was reserved and underperforming academically. But today he is thriving in school, and his father attests to his growth as a responsible member of the community, working hard to achieve his dreams.
Asina, Uganda
Needs day school sponsorship
ABOUT ASINA
Asina, age 12, is the eldest of four siblings and lives with her parents, who are refugees from Congo now residing in Uganda. As refugees, her parents have struggled to find stable employment to support their children’s education and provide for their household. These financial challenges forced Asina to drop out of school at a young age. In 2019, Asina joined the MindLeaps program, giving her a fresh perspective on life and the chance to make many new friends. “I used to know only other Congolese, but through this program, I have met children from many different places and we have become great friends!” Asina is now studying in Grade 5, and her dream for the future is fueled by her access to education and her passion for dance. “I really admire talented dancers, including my teachers, who have helped me learn ballet dance steps.” Asina wants to become a dance instructor after completing her education and is confident that she will have the ability to earn and extend a helping hand to others. “I would love to help children, just as MindLeaps has helped me. Not only have they taught me dance, but they have also enabled me to go to school. I’m determined to do the same for others facing challenges like me.”
Christian, Rwanda
Needs day school sponsorship
ABOUT CHRISTIAN
Christian, age 16, is the fourth child in a family of six and lives in Kigali with his mother, who works as a local tailor and faces financial challenges in paying for his education. Christian loves reading, with his favorite book being “Alauda Equiano: From Slavery to Freedom”. He joined MindLeaps in 2021 on the recommendation of his school to help him deal with isolation issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Christian is now studying in Grade 10, concentrating on Mathematics, Economics and Computer Science. His ambition is to become a lawyer in the future, with a particular focus on advocating for justice, especially for those at the lower end of the economic scale. Christian’s involvement with MindLeaps has transformed his social dynamics. From preferring solitude, he now enjoys collaborative work and has developed a positive self-image. His commitment to his studies and his awareness of his mother’s sacrifices have nurtured his ambition to promote justice in the future, particularly for those in disadvantaged economic situations.
Jamal, Uganda
Needs day school sponsorship
ABOUT JAMAL
17-year-old Jamal is the youngest of four siblings, with three older sisters. His parents could no longer support the family, so Jamal now lives with his eldest sister. She has a small mobile money transaction business, but her earnings are not enough to meet all the family needs. “It’s hard for me to buy anything like clothes because it’s not easy for my sister. When she gives me some money to buy food, I eat less and save some until I have enough to buy clothes or other things I need,” says Jamal. He has had to drop out of school for periods of time because it was hard to pay the fees. Before joining MindLeaps in 2019, Jamal was losing hope about getting an education and said he only had a few friends in the community. But that has changed. “Since I started the dance program, I have met many different friends from different communities and have also learned how to relate to different people and work together with them.” Jamal says he has gained confidence and can express himself much more. “I also used to have negative thoughts because of our situation at home, but MindLeaps has helped me stop thinking that way because it showed me a new direction.” And he adds, “It also helped me become physically flexible!” Jamal is now studying in Grade 8 and says that the chance to get an education is giving him hope “to become a far better person.”
How to sponsor a child
To sponsor a student, use the form. If you know of a student you’d like to sponsor, please include their name in the form after selecting the donation amount. If not, we will select a student for you. You can also sponsor a student by phone at (646) 902-1295.
Sponsorships are recurring monthly gifts in order for your donation to match the timing of school expenses. However, if you would like to sponsor via a one time gift you can make a $500 or $1,000 donation online here and put the name of your sponsored child in the dedication box.
Education Program Sponsors ($1-$41 monthly)
Sponsors receive
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An invitation to the annual Zoom meeting for sponsors with MindLeaps Education Program Staff.
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An annual report on the progress of the whole cohort of MindLeaps students sponsored in school.
Day School Sponsors ($42-$83 monthly)
Sponsors receive:
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A picture of your sponsored child
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Three progress reports per year on your sponsored student in January, May and August (following the conclusion of each school term)
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Invitation to the annual Zoom meeting for sponsors with MindLeaps Education Program Staff
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An annual report on the progress of the whole cohort of MindLeaps students sponsored in school
Boarding School Sponsors ($84+ monthly)
Sponsors receive
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A video recording of sponsored students performing their own original dance pieces
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A picture of your sponsored student
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Three progress reports per year on your sponsored student in January, May and August (following the conclusion of each school term)
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Invitation to the annual Zoom meeting for sponsors with MindLeaps Education Program Staff
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An annual report on the progress of the whole cohort of MindLeaps students sponsored in school