Blog
A Library at Twin Palm Community School
When Mathews, a passionate teacher and founder of Twin Palm Community School, walked into the Impact One library with his students, he didn’t know that a simple visit would shift his entire perspective on reading. He walked in as a skeptical man and walked out transformed with a vision to one day open a library at Twin Palm.
Finding Purpose
Five years ago, Emeliya had an encounter with a two-year-old who showed her she was made for something more. Today, she teaches 65 students, helping them excel and express themselves through a strategy she learned in an Impact One training.
Keith Continues to Amaze
Keith’s progress has been exciting to witness. A few years ago, he couldn’t read a single word. Now, at nine years old, he can pick up just about any book and read it with ease. This change has come through the literacy program at Blue Star Community School, where Impact One has been training and mentoring teachers for the past four years. With the right skills, they’re now able to teach reading more effectively, and children like Keith are benefiting from it.
The Story Behind GROW
In Ng'ombe, children as young as 11 face life-altering challenges. When innocence is lost too soon, hope fades. Discover how the GROW Program is restoring hope and helping adolescents become more resilient, responsible, and rooted in truth.
88 REASONS WHY
Teaching a class is tough, but imagine one with 88 preschoolers. That’s a lot of energetic little ones running around, jumping, and crying - chaos, right? Honestly, just thinking about it can be overwhelming. But at Good Shepherd Community School, two teachers are doing extraordinary work to transform their classroom.
Teacher to Teacher
Imagine being 13 years old and not being able to write your own name. For many of the children who visit our library, this is the norm. They come in curious and eager, yet carry a silent struggle with basic literacy. Find out how we’re working to bridge this gap.
What Makes You Different?
With over 90 community schools packed into Ng’ombe’s tight-knit neighborhoods, each one is fighting to be seen, heard, and supported. So what sets a school apart in a place where everyone is striving to survive?
Discovering Talents on Community Day
Every Wednesday by 7:30 AM, a small crowd of kids gathers outside the library gate, excitement shining in their eyes. Some press their faces between the slats, trying to peek inside, hoping to catch a glimpse of what’s in store. Our themed community days expose the children to interactive lessons ranging from science to technology to music and more. This month, we featured a local artist, Hugh, who used his gifts to help the children discover theirs.
When Passion Meets Mentorship, Change Happens
With nothing but K150 ($28) to his name and no prior experience in teaching or running a school, Nickton refused to stand by and watch as children in his community succumbed to petty crime and early pregnancies due to poverty. He believed education was the key to breaking the cycle, and against all odds, he took a leap of faith.
Starting Strong
“I came here not knowing what to expect and afraid to speak…but I’m leaving with a whole new appreciation for my job. I want all my students to learn to read.”
Bringing Tech to Our Schools
For many of our partner schools, the idea of integrating technology into their operations felt like a distant dream—until now. Grace, one of the school directors, captured the sentiment perfectly when she said with a radiant smile and a tone filled with gratitude, “This is a blessing that has come at the right time. You’ve brought something that was so far out of reach close to us.”
A Place To Belong
Despite the tough challenges this year, from a cholera outbreak to a severe drought, the library has become a second home for many children. It’s a place where they can learn, play, and be kids again. For Francis, it was curiosity that first drew him to the library, but it’s the warm and welcoming atmosphere that keeps him coming back.
Bridging the Technology Gap
Technology shapes nearly every part of our daily lives, from how we communicate to how we learn and share information. It’s not just a luxury, it’s a necessity! In some of our schools, students have never touched a computer, let alone learned how to use one. Their understanding of technology comes only from chalkboard drawings and explanations, lacking the hands-on experience that would make it real to them.
Literacy and Family: Keith’s Story
Keith is a bright, confident child whose future is bright because of the incredible support he receives from his teachers, parents, and Impact One. He started as a shy boy who barely could read letters let alone spell his name. Discover how his love for books has put him at the top of his class.
Reading With Purpose
Imagine a world where words are just words, paragraphs don’t tell a story, and reading feels like a meaningless task. For many students in our partner schools, this was their reality. But we’re changing that, one student at a time!
But how do we know we’re truly making a difference? We measure our progress through annual reading assessments, which are crucial in tracking our impact.
Books, Friendships, and Faith
“When I came to the library, I was amazed at the number of books on the shelves and the kids reading on the mats. Outside, children were playing games, and everyone seemed to be having so much fun. I wondered why I hadn't discovered the library sooner. I wanted to be a part of it…”
How Mentorship Transformed a Teacher
Two years ago, our Education Team Leader, Chibwe, started mentoring Kondwani, a teacher from Good Shepherd. The purpose of the mentorship was to equip Kondwani to effectively engage his students in the classroom and gain confidence in the process. Their interactions involved Chibwe observing his lessons and providing constructive feedback. What began as a regular weekly mentoring session evolved into a genuine friendship with mutual respect.
A Journey of Growth and Development
Early this month we brought Chibanja and Chikondano directors together for a training on how to create an effective appeal to angage donors. The directors eagerly embraced the two-day training as well as each other, with each day offering unique insights and opportunities. Chibanja brought a wealth of knowledge from their experiences in the past, and Chikondano brought an eagerness to learn something new.
A Second Chance
When their mother heard about the inspiring reading program at Twin Palm Community School, she saw it as an opportunity for a second chance for her daughters. Since their move, Gracious and Pauline have soared in their reading.
The Turning Point
Learning the skills to read and write is only one part of a school’s mission. At Fountain of Life, Louis was equipped with so much more.