Education Through Sport - A Path To Freedom
Written By: Erika Scott
Pitch
Somalia is a war torn and highly uneducated country. With a population of approximately 10 million, only 10% of which are attending school. This number can be increased significantly with the development of an indoor multipurpose gymnasium in Mogadishu, Somalia. Sports has always played an important role in my life and therefore know the direct benefits that it can bring to everyone. With a 47.4% unemployment rate there isn't much hope for future job aspirations in Somalia. Education is a pathway to freedom and this gymnasium will improve future job opportunities and possibly help provide a supportable income for children and their family. It also provides kids with a healthier learning environment while still giving them an opportunity to learn in a more fun and engaging way. The completion of the gymnasium will show children in Somalia that there is hope for a better education and that anything is possible if they set their mind to it.
Critical Need
Somalia is reported to have the least functional education systems in the world. There is a large gap in the education system with a 37% drop out rate between the grades 1-8 alone. The gymnasium is built to trigger kids interests in school and teach them that there is a huge benefit that comes from attending school. We also hope to decrease the drop out rate in the Somalian children in order to keep future generations from growing up with such a large gap in the education system.
Impact
This project will benefit and have a positive impact on the world because it will allow the children of the world to become educated. It will also give them the awareness that education strongly benefits the outcome of their future and will give them greater job opportunities. If more projects like this were started throughout the world it would be a better and more educated place.
Feasibility
Timeline: January 2015 - March 2016
Businesses: Canadian Tire, Participaction and SportCheck
Why They Would Help: All of these companies main goals is to help children become more active and to live an active lifestyle. Their goals also include helping underprivileged children experience the same things that privileged children get to experience.
Cost and Supplies: Total $158,710
- Gymnasium Building: $150,000
- 35 Soccer Balls and 2 Soccer Nets: $1,005
- 35 Basket Balls and 2 Basket Ball Nets : $2875
- 35 Volley Balls and 1 Volley Ball Net: $2,955
- 35 Hockey Sticks, 2 Hockey Nets and 35 Road Hockey Balls : $1,425
- 35 Dodge-balls: $100
- 35 Jump Ropes: $ 350
Last Points
- Only 48% of teachers in Somalia are certified
- 960 schools in Somalia
- Student to teacher ratio 31:1
- Average of 210 kids enrolled in each school
About Me
I am Erika Scott. I am 15 years old and a student at Bill Crothers Secondary School. I play hockey for the Aurora Panthers Midget AA team. I also Sail in the summer and enjoy the outdoors.
"70 Million Children Get No Education, Says Report." The Guardian. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2013.
"Humanitarian News and Analysis." IRINnews. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2013."Somalia Demographics Profile 2013." Somalia Demographics Profile 2013. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2013.
Nice use of color for the text, many pictures, use more statistics.
ReplyDeleteYour pitch is very good, I enjoyed how you explained your idea. I thought your critical need was done very well with the statistics you provided.Also, I believe your impact was very realistic. The feasibility was very detailed and gave a very good idea of how much the project will cost. Your last points left some "food for thought" as there were some cold hard facts. Very good blog!
ReplyDeleteExcellent project! I really like how you are incorporating sport as well as education. Interesting how your passion for sport inspires you to pass on the passion to other children. As for all aspects of the project, it is realistic and convincing. One suggestion, make your pitch more intruiging. Make sure the reader wants to keep reading. Overall good blog.
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ReplyDeleteWow! When I read your title it really grabbed my attention of wanting to read this. I really like that you used the idea of teaching kids through sports. Overall well done with your idea and I really liked your choice of font and the colour for your text. Good luck with this mission and great job Erika.
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