Meeting between EISERVI, Tassah Academy and Global Water Link
EISERVI, (Education Information Services International, www.eiservi.org) a local nonprofit in Yaounde focused on literacy and youth empowerment, has agreed to join forces with Tassah Academy and Global Water Link to make our pilot program a success. After a 2 hour meeting on Wednesday evening at EISERVI’s conference room, many old friendships were strengthened, and new partnerships forged. Present were teachers, the principal, and the founder (Janet Fofang) from Tassah Academy; EISERVI staff and the executive director Andrew Nyenti, as well as GWL.
Many topics were discussed including EISERVI’s successful track record as a project manager, and their programs already in place, such as school and communal libraries, and their inspirational summer program “Storytime” which provides training in English, computer technology, and arts & crafts, sports, and more for the younger kids. Introduced to GWL by Janet Fofang, EISERVI has been a partner of Tassah Academy for many years, helping them establish their library and work on literacy programs. EISERVI also has many partnerships with organizations such as Bookaid International (www.bookaid.org), the International Book Project (www.intlbookproject.org), and Computer Aid International (www.computeraid.org), which have helped them create a successful library and multiple computer labs at their headquarters as well as over 40 locations around Cameroon.
Thanks to their expertise and long standing director who has worked for the British Council for over 20 years, they are well equipped to help support a program like GWL, using their network from Yaounde to make this program a success. They are excited to participate in GWL’s initiative, as it will update their computer program and hopefully entice more students to read using the tablets.
It was agreed that EISERVI would help coordinate the teachers at Tassah by contributing a staff member to visit the school frequently and help monitor the program’s success. In addition teachers can come visit EISERVI’s office to seek additional support. In return Tassah has agreed to share any new technology with EISERVI’s summer computer program, and GWL, with collaboration with Sysco Systems, is interested in sending a server to EISERVI as well. The meeting ended on a happy note with all members exchanging phone numbers, email addresses, and setting a date for the next meeting.
