HELP EQUIP A COMPASSIONATE, CREATIVE, COURAGEOUS GENERATION
YOUR GIFT IS DOUBLED, UP TO $25,000!
Kids are incredible! No matter where they are in the world or the circumstances into which they’re born, every child is miraculous, unique, and full of potential. When children live and learn in environments that unleash that potential, the possibilities are endless.
Our dream at Wellspring is to see a compassionate, creative, and courageous generation equipped to shape a vibrant and peaceful future for their communities and nations. And over the coming months, in partnership with generous donors like you, we’ll be working towards this vision through in-depth leadership training and coaching with the leaders of all 34 schools we serve.
Through this appeal, our goal is to fully fund the training that will equip these leaders to create vibrant, healthy school cultures where every one of the 42,600 students they lead can thrive.
Would you consider giving today to catalyze lasting change for these students as we invest deeply in their leaders? Thanks to a generous donor, every dollar you give before June 7 will be DOUBLED, which = twice the impact!
EMPOWERED LEADERS = THRIVING STUDENTS
When school leaders are equipped to develop and lead school cultures that prioritize social emotional learning, this lays the essential foundation for positive student wellbeing and improved educational outcomes:
LEADERS
become champions for education that builds character, intellect, and wellbeing, and this passion infuses school life.
TEACHERS
catch this vision and, equipped through our training and supported by their leaders, embed emotional skills in classroom learning.
CLASSROOMS
become places where children’s heads and hearts are nurtured, and where their potential is celebrated and unlocked.
STUDENTS
not only build the life skills they need to shape a bright future; they become changemakers in their families, communities, and nations.
LET'S MEET SOME OF THESE CHANGEMAKERS!
We’ve seen the impact of social emotional learning in the lives of thousands of students through Youth First Rwanda, the program we’ve run over the past few years with our partners at WorldBeing. And now, we’re committed to seeing all of the students in these schools experience this impact, through empowered leaders who place student wellbeing at the heart of school life.
Shema, Sabine, and Ngabo (pseudonyms) are three students who have recently participated in Youth First, and their stories remind us that when character traits like compassion, creativity, and courage are sparked in young people, lives are changed.
SHEMA is a 19 year old student who’s currently completing Grade 8. Conflict at home left Shema discouraged and withdrawn, isolated from his classmates, and struggling to focus on his education. However, through Youth First Rwanda sessions, everything began to change. As he learned how to manage difficult emotions, solve problems, and set life goals, not only was his own confidence growing–he also began to open up and connect with his peers.
This deepening empathy and recognition that he could make a difference filled Shema with compassion for others facing similar challenges.
Recently, he came alongside a fellow student who was at risk of dropping out due to economic hardship and family separation, urging him to remain in school, and offering support and advice to help him continue his studies. In the future, Shema wants to become a lawyer who advocates for, and defends, adolescent victims of family conflict and violence.
SABINE and her friends knew, with each passing Youth First session, that what they were learning was making a tangible difference in their lives. They were being equipped with essential skills for life and wellbeing, and taking practical steps towards the future they dreamed of. But something else was stirring too: a desire to use their talents to share this learning with their peers, and to see other young people around them thrive. Which gave them an idea!
In this moment, creativity was sparked, and a song was born.
Sabine and her peers penned lyrics that conveyed gratitude for the impact of social emotional learning in their lives, and that cast a vision for the future too: “Knowing how to live in harmony with others should be the identity of every Rwandan. Let us keep our unity and work together. We are tomorrow’s leaders and decision makers in Rwanda. Let us spread good news about Youth First Rwanda that taught children about resilience and life.”
NGABO is a 16 year old student who often felt overwhelmed by the constant conflict in his family. It was hard to concentrate on his studies, revise the day’s lessons, or even sleep well in a home that was consumed by quarrelling, and Ngabo felt too afraid to address this with his parents. But when Ngabo had the opportunity to attend social emotional learning sessions–particularly those focused on conflict management–he began to find a way forward.
Ngabo found the courage to help his parents resolve their conflicts in ways that brought about true restoration.
He shared approaches that his mother began applying when arguments arose, staying calm and showing patience. And little by little, his father began to respond by showing more restraint. Ngabo shares the impact this has had on his life and wellbeing: “As a result of the calmness at home, I was able to revise my lessons, sleep well, concentrate in class, and my performance in class has improved.”
YOUR GIFT TODAY SPARKS TWICE THE IMPACT
Until June 7th, every dollar you give will be DOUBLED, up to the first $25,000 given, helping to make stories like those of Shema, Sabine, and Ngabo possible for thousands more children. No matter how you choose to give, your partnership will make a difference—today, and for generations to come.
MULTIPLY THE IMPACT OF YOUR DONATION
Every gift helps equip leaders, and the children and youth they serve, with the tools to build a bright future.
NEW MONTHLY GIFTS MATCHED FOR 1YR
Join our Ignite monthly giving community today and see the impact of your monthly donation multiplied for the first 12 months.
EVERY EXTRA $ DOUBLED FOR 12 MONTHS
Already a monthly donor? Any increase in your monthly giving amount will be matched for the next 12 months.