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Inspiring the Future of STEAME

10/7/2021

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“[I am] looking back to extend the ladder and create opportunities for more girls to follow my footpath and know the amazing opportunities that are in STEAME careers,” Captain Kgomotso Phatsima shared following an October 7 event sponsored by Aviation for Humanity. The accomplished pilot is the founder of the Botswanan nonprofit Dare to Dream.

As anyone who has been following our posts knows, A for H has been supporting STEAME (STEAM + Entrepreneurship) events organized by Dare to Dream. This is one step in the evolution of our mission, as COVID-19 has significantly impacted the opportunity for sharing school supplies with the underprivileged world with the help of the traveling public.

The Dare to Dream event brought thirty schoolgirls from the Mahupu Unified Secondary School in Takatokwane Village in the Kweneng District of Botswana to the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone for a day full of learning, discovery, and inspiration.
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The Mahupu students engaged in a few new activities not previously included in these STEAME days. In addition to touring the Baron 58, Hawker 800 XP, Cessna Grand Caravan, and Cessna 172 at the Major Blue Aviation College, they also learned about and explored the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) Academy’s featured aircraft: the JABIRU 430, JABIRU 250, Blackshape Prime, and Van’s RV-7 Taildragger.

After touring the aircraft, Pretty Kelebang, 17, asked the pilots and engineers who spoke to the group about the requirements for her to become a pilot.

The girls then participated in the De Beers Diamond Industry Exposure Program—an introductory experience to a major industry important to the nation. Then, they completed an Airbus A380 and Discovery Space online program at the Botswana Innovation Hub Science and Technology Park, during which they learned how to assemble and program the A380 aircraft model. They also learned about 3D modeling and printing by creating 3D objects through tinkercad.

With a spectrum of opportunities illustrated to her, Pretty said, “now I so wish to work with anything that has to do with an airport.”

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The purpose of the collaboration between Aviation for Humanity and Dare to Dream is to inspire the next generation to discover their potentials through education. In the developing world, especially for young girls, it is difficult for youth to fully ideate their possibilities, particularly in STEAME fields. Our purpose is to share with these gifted students all that they are capable of doing and being.

From Capt. Phatsima: “[Aviation for Humanity is] indeed absolutely planting a seed, changing the life of one Girl Child at a time.”
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Celebrating  the International Day of an African Child

6/16/2021

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Aviation for Humanity is proud to have once again collaborated with the Botswanan nonprofit Dare to Dream, which is focused on the advancement of African women and girls through STEAME (STEAM + Entrepreneurship) education. On June 16, the two organizations celebrated this year’s International Day of the African Child by holding an educational aviation event for 30 schoolgirls from Goodhope Senior Secondary School in the Southern District of Botswana. Following the event, student Phenyo assured their hosts that those 30 girls would be the best STEAME leaders of tomorrow.
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To start off the event, the girls were taken on a hangar tour at the Major Blue Aviation College at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport. During the tour, they were able to get up close and personal with a Cessna 172, Cessna Grand Caravan, Hawker 800 XP, and Beechcraft Baron 58 to learn about their uses and features. This was the very first time seeing an aircraft in person for most of the students.

Next, the girls were welcomed to the Botswana Innovation Hub and Science Technology Park by its Director of Innovation and Technology, Dr. Budzanani Tacheba. Dr. Tacheba discussed with the girls how opportunities like this International Day of the African Child event allow them to open up to new mindsets, to develop a new understanding of how to gain STEAME skills, and to apply those STEAME skills to their future careers.

The event’s guest speaker, Margunn Indreboe Alshaikh, was then introduced. The Deputy Resident Representative at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Botswana compared her own upbringing to those of the 30 Goodhope students. “I grew up in a small sheep farm in Norway. I went to a tiny public school with 30 students in the whole school and 5 students in my class.” Alshaik shared that she and her fellow students were expected to make careers of working on their parents’ farms or in nearby towns, but that she dared to dream bigger for herself.
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Despite doubt from those around her, including her teachers, Alshaikh sought out and earned a scholarship. This set her on her path to becoming the successful diplomat that she is today. She explained that it was by learning that greater opportunities existed outside of her town that she was able to aim high in her career. Goodhope students Esther and Hope responded by sharing that their views of STEAME careers and their availability to Botswanan girls had widened and thanked Alshaikh and Dare to Dream for inspiring the girls from rural areas to achieve their dreams.

Gorata, a Goodhope senior from Molepolole village, mentioned that rural Botswanan students are faced with challenges such as lack of important school supplies and internet access. Alshaikh answered that the UNDP seeks to meet these educational challenges with programs such as youth development funds and by partnering with organizations like Dare to Dream.

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The Dare to Dream Project

5/5/2021

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“It was my first time at an airport and the first time I got in a plane . . . I want to be a pilot,” Phemo from the village of Dikgonnye told us after her day at the Sir Seretse Khama International Airport.
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In celebration of this year’s UN World Creativity and Innovation Day, Aviation for Humanity partnered with the Botswana-based nonprofit Dare to Dream to bring Phemo and 29 other schoolgirls from rural Botswana to the airport for a full day of education and empowerment.

Having never been to an airport or seen an aircraft up close, the girls had a day full of firsts. They were taken on a tour of four models of aircraft—the Beechcraft Baron 58, Beechcraft Hawker 800, Cessna Grand Caravan, and Cessna 172—and spoke directly to pilots and other aviation professionals. They also engaged with the Airbus Little Engineer program, which allows students to explore STEAM-focused learning, such as aerospace mission planning, robotics, and 3D modeling.

The girls are students in the Artesia Junior Secondary School in the Kgatleng district of Botswana. They live in rural settlements surrounding the village of Artesia. The culture in this region is such that many girls are not aware that they are able to pursue any career, let alone a career in a STEAM field. Following the Creativity and Innovation Day event, 15-year-old Kelebogile shared that “I learnt that whilst still at my age I have to have a dream, work hard, and achieve it. The motivation I had from the captain inspired me and gave me confidence to work on myself.”

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The World

6/4/2020

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Our hearts are heavy.

Currently, we are intently focused on educating ourselves, our loved ones and our community on systemic racism, racial injustice, the history of racism and its continuation today. Recently, we have shared some resources across our social media platforms on anti-racism that we hope you will study and share.

We will continue to read and to educate ourselves and our children. It is imperative for our future generations that we pursue anti-racist actions, remain good listeners, and continue to have these conversations, no matter how uncomfortable they might make us feel.

If our organization is to continue in our mission to create advocates for diversity and inclusion in a global community, we must continue to hold one another accountable, remain diligent and stand steadfastly in solidarity with the Black community. Black Lives Matter.

During this pandemic, we have put our travel operations on pause to do our part to prevent the spread of Covid-19. We shifted our focus to explore creative solutions to continue to promote positive change. We must also do our part to concentrate on finding ways to show support and raise funds for the Black Lives Matter movement.

We are exploring future fundraising projects in this pursuit, which we will share in the coming days. As a small team comprised solely of volunteers, we would love your help in this effort. If you would like to volunteer at A for H, please contact us at aviationforhumanity@gmail.com. In the links below, there are several BLM resources and a list of organizations that we have been compiling. We hope you will read these articles and share.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
The Volunteer Team at Aviation for Humanity

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​Anti-racism resources:
https://www.goodgoodgood.co/anti-racism-resources

BLM resources:
https://cheznousguide.com/black-lives-matter-resources/

Anti-racism resources: 
http://bit.ly/ANTIRACISMRESOURCES

Movement for Black Lives:
https://m4bl.org/

Black Lives Matter at School:
https://blacklivesmatteratschool.com/

The Zinn Education Project:
https://www.zinnedproject.org/

Justice for Breonna Taylor:
https://justiceforbreonna.org/

Campaign Zero:
https://www.joincampaignzero.org/

8 Can't Wait, a project by Campaign Zero:
https://8cantwait.org/

North Star Health Collective:
https://www.northstarhealthcollective.org/donate

Black Visions Collective:
https://www.blackvisionsmn.org/

Minnesota Freedom Fund:
https://minnesotafreedomfund.org/

Questions or concerns? Contact us at info@aviationforhumanity.org. Thank you!

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Cape Town, South Africa

12/12/2019

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​Aviation for Humanity friends and volunteers, Rollie and Jennifer Vincent, took time from their vacation to spend an afternoon with Barbara Miller and the team at Ikamva Labantu in Cape Town, South Africa.
 
Ikamva Labantu is a non-profit doing important work.  From their website, they explain that, “across Cape Town’s townships, ordinary people are organising and mobilizing to create change in their communities. Teachers are turning their homes into preschools, older persons are demanding accessible transport, mothers are feeding whole neighbourhoods, and street committees are standing up to crime. Every day, committed citizens come together to take responsibility for their community’s wellbeing and to strive for a more just and equal South Africa.”
 
Aviation for Humanity worked with Ikamva Labantu to find a program in need where volunteers, Rollie and Jennifer, were able to visit and learn about the program. They spent an afternoon at the Afternoon Angels program, interacting with the students, learning about the program, and generously supplying them with a variety of necessities (school supplies and food).  
 
In a note to Aviation for Humanity, Rollie and Jennifer explain that the Afternoon Angels program is “doing truly amazing work - including keeping young people “off the streets” (although the streets are in fact part of their playground) through the Afternoon Angels program and seniors clubs.  We were glad to be able to meet with their agency and be on the ground in the Khayelitsha township during a very heartwarming and mind-opening 1/2 day. Everywhere we looked, we saw was great energy and enthusiasm, love and care, and so many smiling faces of joy and hope despite their living conditions.
 
Here are some photos of the day at one of the many homes where the Afternoon Angels are hosted; there were about 40 kids there, all looked after by a single “Mama” caregiver whose home is used as one of the Angel centers.”
​A big, heartfelt THANK YOU to Jennifer and Rollie for volunteering, to Barbara Miller and her team, and to the organizers and patrons of the Afternoon Angels program in Cape Town, South Africa.  
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San Pancho, Mexico

11/14/2019

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Aviation for Humanity's Director of Outreach, Blaire Harvey, shares her experience volunteering while on vacation:


"Aviation for Humanity has reached Mexico! San Francisco, or San Pancho as it is more commonly referred to, is a Mexican town situated in the State of Nayarit on the central Pacific coast of Mexico about 50 km north of Puerto Vallarta on Federal Hwy 200. Just north of the popular surf town, Sayulita.
 
As the Director of Outreach for Aviation for Humanity so far, I’ve only connected volunteers to organizations abroad. My family was planning a holiday and I was pleased to find this incredible organization in the little town of San Pancho in the Riviera Nayarit, México. My family and I got to visit the charitable organization, entreAmigos and bring 60 pencil cases to selected students from their scholarship program. We were welcomed with bright eyes and big smiles. The kids’ ages ranged from 5-12yrs old and they happily received the notebook, crayons, colored pencils, pens and paper airplanes. The center itself assists children of all ages. It was beautiful to watch my own children engage and share with these special kids.  The center was started by three women who noticed too many kids on the beach selling candies and trinkets. Discovering the reasoning they were not in school because their parents couldn’t afford even the public school options. They created a place where mothers could tap into their creative energy, make goods and sell them to support a future with education for their children. The space has grown exponentially with great local support. The community works together and is really committed to a greener planet by making all their goods from recycled materials.
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Entreamigos strives to achieve its mission to increase learning opportunities for children and families through the implementation of educational programs based on principles of integration and collective community action. The vision of Entreamigos is to provide the children and families of San Pancho with the skills needed to contribute to their changing communities in a positive way.
 
Entreamigos is a nationally recognized environmental education center.  The facility is sustainably designed using 80% recycled materials and serves as an interactive teaching center for students and visitors of all ages.  Entreamigos staff practice outreach in the regional schools with custom designed interactive teaching materials.
 
If you or someone you know is traveling to the Puerto Vallarta/Riviera Nayarit location and desire a humbling experience, please reach out! There are many different kinds of volunteer opportunities at Entreamigos for residents and for visitors.  Entreamigos is funded by private donations and onsite businesses. Entreamigos relies heavily on the support of volunteers. To learn more about their program please visit: https://entreamigos.org.mx/about-entreamigos-non-profit-san-pancho/"
 
--Blaire
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Accra, Ghana

11/9/2019

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   Aviation for Humanity has reached Ghana! Ghana, officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located along the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean, in the subregion of West Africa. Although relatively small in area and population, Ghana is one of the leading countries in Africa.
 
  Thanks to Cheryl Pitzer, an enthusiastic volunteer, supporter, and fellow member of the aviation community, we were honored to visit the Street Children Empowerment Foundation (SCEF) shelter in Jamestown-Accra. 
 
   The Street Children Empowerment Foundation, or SCEF, reaches over 1,000 children each month through various programs, projects and services through the community, social services, legal aid and health interventions and a developed program called The Learning Hub Children Services that assists rescued children with play based learning activities, after school programs, and a library to help prepare the children for more formal education. SCEF envisions a future where all children, regardless of their disparities, have equal opportunities in reaching their fullest potentials. The organization works to bring sustainable improvements in the lives of street and vulnerable children by actively engaging key stakeholders (parents/guardians, teachers, department of social welfare, hospital staff/doctors/nurses, police, etc.) to build safety nets around each of their cases. Their methodology is to rescue, rehabilitate and reintegrate each child toward a sustainable life and future.
 
  Currently, SCEF has 98 street connected children on their scholarship program and 100 beneficiaries who visit The Learning Hub daily to access their after school programs.
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  Aviation for Humanity was pleased and honored to support such a wonderful nonprofit organization by delivering 100 pencil cases stuffed with various school supplies and a very well received toy airplane!
 
  For more information on ways to get involved with their program, please visit their website at www.scef-international.org
 
  And, if you happen to be traveling to Accra, Ghana please reach out to info@aviationforhumanity.org and consider allowing us to help you support this wonderful organization by bringing additional supplies.
 
  Again, a big thank you to Cheryl Pitzer, her family, Eric Bempong and the amazing staff and volunteers at the Street Children Empowerment Foundation.
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Nadi, Fiji

9/3/2019

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 Aviation for Humanity reached children on the island nation of Fiji thanks to our wonderful volunteers.  Fiji, an Oceania country in the South Pacific, is an archipelago of more than 300 islands.  Aviation for Humanity’s volunteer and traveler, John Ambecrombie​, visited a school in Nadi.  With the help of local volunteers, he was able to secure school supplies for fifty kids in the village school. 
   In reflection of his trip, John explains, “I had so many amazing experiences on my trip to Fiji but this one touched me the most. I was invited to a village Kindergarten school, where I got to donate much needed school supplies and share about one of my passions, flying. 'Venaka' (thank you) to Aviation for Humanity, Blaire, Joeli, Sophie, and most of all the beautiful kids and teachers. Such a wonderful experience."
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Montego Bay, Jamaica

7/1/2019

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 ​Aviation for Humanity reached children in Jamaica last month! We are grateful to our volunteers, Bryan and Lori Watson, who took time from their Jamaican vacation to support the local youth. Prior to their trip, they contacted Aviation for Humanity wanting to make a positive impact while on vacation.  Aviation for Humanity handled the logistics of finding a shelter in need and providing the supplies so that our volunteers had a streamlined, positive experience.  We are grateful for their time and contribution.

The Robin’s Nest Children’s’ Home is a not-for-profit orphanage nestled on a mountaintop overlooking Montego Bay, Jamaica. The facility is comprised of several homes for boys and girls, a school, and a communal play area.  They provide a safe space for children in need by providing housing, cooking and youth education. Their mission is to create a nurturing, loving and safe space for children to grow at their own speed so they may develop their own individual gifts and talents.  
 
Aviation for Humanity thanks our volunteers and the Robin’s Nest Children’s Home for empowering children through education.  If you find yourself heading to Jamaica and want to be involved, please email us at: info@aviationforhumanity.com.  
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Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

5/15/2019

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  A few months ago, Aviation for Humanity visited the Sele Enat Mahiber (meaning ‘in place of mother’) shelter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.  During the visit, we discovered that the shelter was in need of baby formula.  Through the generous donations from our supporters, and with the help of our in-country contact and friend, Mr. Dawit, we were able to bring 100 lbs (48 cans) of baby formula to their facility this month.
 
  Sele Enat Mahiber is a “not for profit, child focused, non-governmental organization founded in 2002, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The mission of the organization is to alleviate the unbearable suffering and unnecessary loss of life of orphaned children by providing them with their basic needs while keeping them in the community where possible; arranging and connecting families for those who do not have close kin; and building the economic independence of women heads of households by providing financial support and loans for income generating schemes, counseling and training on small scale trades, enabling them to provide a better future for their children. The objective of the organization is to be part of the ongoing effort to improve the life of vulnerable and underserved community members of Ethiopia, especially women and children.”
 
  If you are interested in supporting this wonderful non-profit, there are a variety of ways to get involved.  Below is an overview of how to get involved. A full list of details can be found here on this PDF.

Thank you for the consideration and support! ​
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Overview of How to Help:
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One to One Child Sponsorship: You can sponsor a child (ranging from $30USD - $330USD) to cover all expenses for a month. 

Regular Salary Contribution: A monthly donation. This option helps Sele Enat Mahiber to network with several organizations and get sustainable support.

In Kind Donation: Sele Enat Mahiber receives in kind donations in a transparent manner. Money can be donated for purchased items consumed monthly.  A list of needed items is included in the PDF.
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