I believe in you.

We reach success in education if all people know exactly how to live up to their potential. 


This requires not only formal knowledge and learning, it includes a deep understanding of self through introspection. The secret sauce of a successful education includes information, sometimes encyclopaedic knowledge as well as an awareness of our own desires, experiences, passions and aspirations. Successful education happens when a beautifully open mind meets critical thinking; and when connecting the dots leads to problem solving and openness to the wonders of the world.


I am not talking about a romantic setting: give everyone a book and they can study by themselves and all will be good. Successful education goes beyond school and formal education. It comes from people who challenge us or make us do things we don’t want to, from different situations, personal struggles or an inspiring influence. These are opportunities to thrive and suddenly we realize we went beyond what we think we can do and we outgrow our own expectations - thanks to other people. 


We meet excellent teachers in our family, within our group of friends, at our internet community or at school or university and we learn from and with them and they inspire us - these people have an impact on us. I call this ‘people-associated learning’ and consider it the most profound and life-changing education method.


What is the opposite of successful education? If we stop learning, if we don’t accept that the only constant in life is change. By reaching a point where we say, ‘I know it all’, we have failed. Successful education teaches that we always evolve and this comes with continuous learning and development. This makes us fit for the future and enables us to adapt to always new circumstances. It is about being able to divorce a previous idea and embrace a new one, it is the ability to change. 


We constantly receive input from our educators and rely on them. A worthwhile goal in successful education is to reach a degree of independence and freedom to educate ourselves with the aim to share our knowledge with other people. This is a wonderful path, however, not an easy journey.


If someone is believing in us, it is much easier to go the way we want to go - despite obstacles. With the help of others, we will have the courage to overcome all the speed bumps and setbacks and we will have the guts to educate ourselves. Nothing is better, makes us happier and contributes better to the world than fulfilling what our purpose is. This belief in us is by someone who is around us & makes all the difference: they can challenge us, they see achievements in us which we yet to cannot see, and they see of how much more we are capable of. 


Go and find the people in your life, who tell you this one lifechanging sentence: I believe in you.


BIOGRAPHY

Vanessa Herder is a scientist working at The University of Glasgow in Scotland. Her work studies the early immune response of virus infections aiming to understand what drives a severe and lethal outcome versus a mild disease. She did her PhD in multiple sclerosis research, followed by a doctoral thesis about a virus infection causing brain malformations. She is a trained veterinarian and after finishing her specialisation in veterinary pathology in Germany, she moved to Glasgow to focus on the pathogenesis of systemic and respiratory virus infections, including SARS CoV-2 and influenza virus.

Vanessa Herder • May 30, 2025

Coding Classes in Haiti

By Nicolet Nguyen • May 28, 2025
Thierry Léonard Hilaire is an intern from Lycée Françias in Port-au-Prince who came to teach the students coding and robotics.  We will start with a group of 20 since we have 4 kits, then we can expand to other students. He sets up the lab in the learning resource centre to make it happen. The learning resource centre provide educators and communities access to meeting space and learning resources such as books and computers. They foster connection and innovation through learning.

Digital Classroom in The Gambia

By Marie Antionette • May 28, 2025
Gambia Teachers Union (GTU) and The Steve Sinnott Foundation empower Latrikunda School with a Digital Classroom. Through the support of The Steve Sinnott Foundation, the Gambia Teachers' Union has significantly contributed to advancing education at Latrikunda Sabiji Upper and Senior Secondary School. Through this generous support, the school has received 15 brandnew computers, a SMART TV, and an air conditioner, all aimed at enhancing the integration of technology into teaching and learning. This support is part of The Steve Sinnott Foundation’s ongoing drive to establish inclusive learning through digital connectivity globally, ensuring that students and teachers have access to modern digital tools for enhanced teaching and learning experiences. As part of this initiative, the Foundation has already successfully set up digital classrooms at Nema Kuta Upper Basic & Senior Secondary School (Kiang Central, Lower River Region), St. Martin’s Basic Cycle School (Kartong), Methodist Centre for Learning Difficulties (Kanifing), and St. George’s Upper Basic & Senior Secondary School (Region 6, Basse). The addition of Latrikunda Sabiji Upper and Senior Secondary School to this list marks another milestone in bridging the digital divide and transforming education in The Gambia. Speaking on behalf of the student body, the Head Girl of Latrikunda School shared: “This donation is a game-changer for us. Having access to these computers and the SMART TV means we can do more research, learn new skills, and engage with lessons in ways we never could before. It’s about opening doors to a brighter future. We are truly grateful to GTU and The Steve Sinnott Foundation for investing in our Education.” Representing the Regional Education Directorate, the Cluster Monitor also emphasized the significance of this support: "Education in the 21st century must embrace technology, and this donation is a major step forward in that direction. The provision of these ICT resources will undoubtedly enhance digital literacy, improve lesson delivery and give both teachers and students the tools they need to excel." This is just one of the partnership initiatives that the GTU and the Foundation are working on in the Gambia. We are looking forward to widening the reach of the Counselling Skills for educators’ training and distributing bicycles to students in the rural areas later in the year.

Project updates from Haiti

By Gabrielle Aurel • May 26, 2025
The Steve Sinnott Learning Resource Centre is being used every day. 302 students and teachers use the resource here every week: 1st grade to High School students take at least 2 hours of computer classes and English, the virtual lab is used for high schoolers for chemistry and physics, our 82 pre schoolers also use the lab for audio visual English and Lakou Kajou educational materials. All the other extracurricular activities (sewing, crafts, culinary arts, dance, painting) benefit 85 students. 23 Community youths and 8 VSLA Community Supervisors take online English and computer courses on Saturdays and Sundays. In total 350 beneficiaries every week benefit from the resources. Gender Based Violence and Positive Periods Training: We had a surprise visit in March from Jean Jean Roosevelt, the well-known Haitian Canadian artist, in support of our GBV campaign. JJR is also a UNICEF Ambassador, he had a special program for just our boys to share their opinions about GBV. They wrote a paragraph on how it is affecting them personally and their communities and what message they can share to stop GBV. Several boys were able to come up onto the stage to perform and he arranged everything into a music video that will be released shortly. He is visiting several schools to record boys' voices about GBV issues, and the best song will win the contest. I hope we do. Gender Based Violence Awareness Campaign: Steve Sinnott Foundation, Sonje Ayiti, SosPsy and SAGE SERVICES. In March we dedicated a campaign called Violence Basée sur le Genre (VBG) to women's rights and the fight for equality The Steve Sinnott Foundation, Sonje Ayiti, SosPsy and SAGE SERVICES launched a joint awareness campaign to combat Gender-Based Violence (VBG). This initiative aims to educate, prevent and mobilize the community against all forms of gender-related violence, whether physical, psychological, economic or social. Through workshops, inspiring testimonials and awareness sessions, these structures are committed to: - Breaking the silence surrounding the VBGs. - Strengthen access to resources and support services for survivors. - Promote a culture of respect and fairness in all areas (home, work, school, church, etc.) ). “Every act of awareness is a step towards a fairer society. Together, let's denounce violence and support the voices of the victims," the coalition states. How to participate? It's simple! Share our awareness posts on social networks with the hashtag #NoToVBG. An awareness session against VBG: On March 0 9 2025 as part of the campaign to raise awareness against Gender Based Violence, Sonje Ayiti, SAGE SERVICES and SOS PSY Haiti continued their actions in Ba-Fossé, in the Evangelical Church of Light and Life. Many thanks to all the partners who support this initiative: The Steve Sinnott Foundation , CECE, LHDRadio, Radio Francophonie. A special thank you to the Soroptimists International Foundation for match funding GBV and Positive Periods training this month. Together we continue to work towards sustainable change! Soroptimist International Foundation is pleased to support the Steve Sinnott Foundation’s ‘Ensuring Girls’ Equitable Access to Education’ project, which tackles period poverty and violence —key barriers to girls' education. The initiative will train women and girls to produce reusable period pads, promote menstrual hygiene, and educate communities to challenge harmful myths. It also empowers school leaders to address violence against girls and advocate for equal education opportunities. With £16,000 in funding, Soroptimist International Foundation is helping drive lasting change in Haiti and Nepal, ensuring more girls can stay in school and thrive.