Looking Back at 2020
As we approach the end of the year it is a time for reflection. 2020 has been a year that none of us could ever have anticipated. I believe that in times of great challenge we learn the most. This has definitely been a challenging year for everyone across the globe and it will be talked about for many years. So, what have we learned? In the future, when people ask us what did we do during the Covid-19 pandemic, what will we say?
In some ways the pace of life has slowed down, and of course people are spending more time at home, but in other ways we are busier than ever connecting through technology. If of course we have access to technology, not everyone has.
We have learned that community is everything, it brings people together. We have stopped talking about 'I' and we now talk more about ‘we’ because we have realised that we are all in this together. Even though it is different in different places and for different people, we are all connected and everyone has been affected in some way.
In January we were remembering the devastation and loss of life in Haiti following the earthquake in 2010 as well as celebrating Haiti and the achievements since then with our colleagues at a lecture given by Lord Griffiths of Burry Port, which Billy Jean attended and spoke proudly of Haitian life and some of the challenges faced daily.
In February I represented the Foundation in Havana to talk about sustainable development and education and carry out training for our Positive Periods programme.
I learned how to make the period pads myself so I could train women in Cuba. It’s a simple solution to enable girls to manage their periods with dignity and pride and most importantly attend school every day. I cannot tell you how honoured I felt to learn a new skill and know that I was passing it onto many other women to share. Our Cuban colleagues embraced the programme enthusiastically, and although there have been some delays due to Covid-19, they are now ready to start delivering an ethical, sustainable and environmentally friendly project in Havana.
In March, the U.K and many countries across the globe went into lockdown. In the U.K. life remained relatively straightforward as we stayed home and learned new skills. We are aware that many people’s mental health has been affected as we have been unable to connect with friends and family for periods of time and the after effects are now coming home as people find themselves without work. In some countries lockdown is not possible as they do not have regular access to water and electricity in their homes and they have to shop for food daily.
At the Foundation, we have continued to be open and flexible in our approach to providing access to learning: through the provision of solar radios in The Gambia, on-line storytelling, increasing the reach of the Positive Periods Programme in Sierra Leone, starting work on setting up the learning resource centre in The Gambia and introducing the Life Long Learning Webinar Series. There will be a new series starting in January. You can have a look at the programme here:
We have been heartened at the strength, support and motivation in our communities during this year. You can see some of the highlights in the video above.
A huge thank you to our donors and supporters who without your generosity of time and money, this work would not be possible. Another huge thank you must go to my colleagues and our ambassadors who have adapted to working in very different ways and have been innovative and enthusiastic in achieving our goal of providing Education For all Children Everywhere.
We wish everyone a happy and peaceful holiday season.
Ann and all the Steve Sinnott Foundation team.
The Steve Sinnott Foundation • December 16, 2020
Mike Fleetham of Thinking Classroom has written a book " Headlines: Inspiration, humour and advice for school leaders ". A collection of original ideas, advice from professionals, quotes, and tips to support and inspire all leaders. Perfect for new and established leaders working in education, especially headteachers. "Being a headteacher is like looking both ways before you cross the road, and then getting hit by an aeroplane." To Enter the Competition To win a copy of Headlines please share your inspiring education or life lesson in no more than 600 words. The winning article will also be published in our next edition of Engage. Send your words of inspiration to admin@stevesinnottfoundation.org.uk 📅 Deadline: 5th September 2025 Stuck on Ideas? Here are some questions and prompts to get you started! What’s the one lesson school didn’t teach you, but life did? Think of a moment that changed your path, what happened? What piece of advice has helped you grow the most? When did a challenge turn into an opportunity for you? What story from your life would inspire someone on the other side of the world? What’s the life lesson that unlocked your next chapter? Your words could uplift, empower and be seen by many. Let your story inspire the world! 🌍💡 Good luck and we cant wait to read all the entries!
This week our CEO Ann and Jude (SSF Ambassador) visited schools in Coventry and heard about the wonderful work that students are doing to foster peace and community connection, as part of Coventry Arts Week. We visited Lyng Hall school in the morning and met with Ms Hagan and four of the schools UNESCO ASPnet ambassadors. They told us all about their recent project. The students took their art and poetry to the 80th Anniversary symposium in Ypres and Dunkirk. They shared with us some of the poetry they had written together with the students on the field trip and some of their own poems too. They also shared their future plans for working with their local primary school on peace and community. We also had the privilege of joining Ms Hagans class where they were looking at Caliban’s tale. Here is one of the students work
For my birthday this year I had the honour to walk 60 miles (yes it was a big 0 birthday) over 3 days to support the essential work of the Steve Sinnott Foundation of which I am CEO. Education in its many forms is essential for all of us to thrive and make the most of life's opportunities. The Foundation works to ensure that as many children and adults as possible across the globe can access the human right of education. The plan was to walk with friends and supporters who I hoped would keep me smiling along the way and it felt like a good way to make use of the Foundation’s “Get Moving” campaign. Here's how my Get Moving Fundraiser went on the first day. The 13th June I started my walk in London by walking from Barnet to west Hampstead and visiting my sister at her shop at Tree of Life where I got served a nice iced coffee to keep me going.
