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
Liliane, Rwanda
Needs boarding school sponsorship
Isimbi, Rwanda
Needs boarding school sponsorship
Pascaline, Rwanda
Needs day school sponsorship
Chelina, Rwanda
Needs day school sponsorship
ABOUT LILIANE
19-year-old Liliane’s dream is to learn. She is very committed to her schooling and wants to study math, physics and computer science in 10th grade. She also loves helping other students and says “When there is a person who is hoping to get help from you, it makes you feel proud of yourself.”
ABOUT ISIMBI
17-year-old Isimbi joined MindLeaps in 2018 because she was attracted to the dance program. She is one of four siblings, and her home situation can be difficult, with irregular meals and problems paying rent. At MindLeaps, she feels shielded from the hardships of daily life. Isimbi has been able to begin her studies and wants to continue in secondary school, where chemistry is her favorite subject. In fact, her dream is to one day become a chemist!
ABOUT CHELINA
16-year-old Chelina joined MindLeaps in 2018, and is now in secondary school. She lives with her single mom, who does not have a stable income, making paying for rent and food a struggle. But even in the face of these hardships, Chelina is determined to succeed in school because her goal is to become a nurse. The opportunity to continue in school has given her the hope to dream about a better life for herself and her family.
ABOUT PASCALINE
Pascaline has lived with her aunt since her parents divorced. Her aunt does not work, so most of their income comes from Pascaline’s father’s job in construction whenever he comes to visit. Despite this unstable living situation, 8th-grader Pascaline is very committed to her studies. Her absolute favorite class is English. Outside of school, Pascaline loves playing ball games with her friends and attending the MindLeaps dance program, where she also really enjoys sharing stories with the other kids.
How to sponsor a child
To sponsor a student, first choose your sponsorship level listed below. If you know of a student you’d like to sponsor, please include their name in the form. If not, we will select a student for you. You can sponsor a student via the button below or by phone at (646) 902-1295.
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
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.