Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Alliances Fund/Empower Streets To Schools Project (ESSP)

statusDraft
Empower Streets To Schools Project (ESSP)
The main objectives of this ESSP is to create a society where every child in Ghana, including street children, have equal opportunity to access education, overcome substance abuse, be protected from gender-based violence and strive to freely live their dreams with dignity. By addressing the multiple dimensions of streetism, the project aims to break the cycle of marginalisation and provide vulnerable children with the support and opportunities they need to lead meaningful and productive lives.
start date2023-08-28
end date2023-12-15
budget (local currency) 
budget (USD) USD
grant typeMission-aligned organization
organization typeNon profit organisation
funding regionunknown region
decision fiscal year2023-24
funding program roundundefined round
applicant(s)• Abdelrafiiu
organization (if applicable)• Girls Empowerment Mission (GEM-GHANA)

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Applicant information edit

A. Organization type

Mission-aligned organization

B. Organization name

Girls Empowerment Mission (GEM-GHANA)

E. Do you have an account on a Wikimedia project?

Yes

E1. Please provide the main Wikimedia Username (required) and Usernames of people related to this proposal.

Abdelrafiiu

G. Have you received grants from the Wikimedia Foundation before?

Did not apply previously

H. Have you received grants from any non-wiki organization before?

No
H1. Which organization(s) did you receive grants from?
N/A
H2. Please state the size of these grants from the following options.
N/A
H3. What type of organization (s) did you receive grants from?
N/A
H4. What percentage of your program budget do other funders contribute to?
N/A

1. Do you have a fiscal sponsor?

No

1a. Fiscal organization name.

N/A

2. Are you legally registered?

Yes

3. What type of organization are you?

Non profit organisation

4. What is your organization or group's mission and how does it align with the Wikimedia movement?

GEM-GHANA is directed by its mission to inspire, educate and empower Girls and Women including WLWD to live their dreams with dignity. It serves Children, Girls and Women, including WLWD, who are the most vulnerable populations of society through empowerment programs in WASH, Health and Nutrition, Peace and Security, Livelihoods Improvements, Career Guidance and Mentorship, STEM/STEAM and Environmental Protection and Conservation; these aligns with Wikimedia movement's mission and vision.

5. If you would like, please share any websites or social media accounts that your group or organization has. (optional)

Website: https://gemghana.org/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070742327471 Twitter: https://twitter.com/gem_ghana LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gem-ghana-557b17229/

Grant proposal edit

6. Please state the title of your proposal.

Empower Streets To Schools Project (ESSP)

9. Where will this proposal be implemented?

Ghana

10. Indicate if it is a local, international, or regional proposal and if it involves several countries?

Local

10a. If you have answered international, please write the country names and any other information that is useful for understanding your proposal.

10b. Are there any specific sub-regions or areas where your proposal will be implemented?

N/A

11. What is the challenge or problem you are addressing and why is this important?

The problem EMPOWER STREETS TO SCHOOLS PROJECT (ESSP), seeks to address the prevalence of "streetism" in Northern Ghana and its adverse effects on children, particularly in terms of education, substance abuse, and gender-based violence. It refers to the situation where children are forced to live and work on the streets due to various socio-economic factors. This issue is of utmost importance because it not only deprives children of their fundamental right to education but also exposes them to increased risks of substance abuse and gender-based violence. Moreover, the specific context of Northern Ghana, where a significant number of street girls can be found, further emphasises the urgency of addressing this problem.

Firstly, it robs children of their right to education. Living on the streets means that these children do not have access to formal schooling, denying them the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills necessary for their personal and professional development. This perpetuates a cycle of poverty and hinders their ability to escape from the vicious cycle of streetism. Education is essential for empowering these children, enabling them to break free from the limitations of their circumstances and build a brighter future.

Furthermore, it increases the vulnerability of children to substance abuse. The harsh realities of street life, coupled with the lack of support systems, may lead children to seek solace in drugs and other harmful substances. Substance abuse further exacerbates their already precarious situation, jeopardising their physical and mental health. Addressing this challenge requires targeted interventions that provide counselling, rehabilitation programs, and access to support services to help children overcome substance abuse and regain control over their lives.

Moreover, street girls in Tamale face a higher risk of gender-based violence. Due to their vulnerable position, they are more susceptible to physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. Gender-based violence perpetuates a cycle of trauma, perpetuating the marginalisation of street girls and hindering their ability to break free from streetism. It is imperative to create safe spaces, raise awareness, and implement support programs that address the specific needs of street girls, empowering them to assert their rights and live in an environment free from violence.

Addressing streetism in Northern Ghana with particular focus on education, substance abuse, and gender-based violence is essential for safeguarding the well-being and future of these vulnerable children. By addressing these interrelated challenges, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society where every child, including Tamale's street girls, can grow up in an environment that nurtures their rights, well-being, and potential.

12. What is the main objective of your proposal? Please state why you think partnering with Wikimedia Movement helps to achieve this objective?

The main objectives of this ESSP is to create a society where every child in Ghana, including street children, have equal opportunity to access education, overcome substance abuse, be protected from gender-based violence and strive to freely live their dreams with dignity. By addressing the multiple dimensions of streetism, the project aims to break the cycle of marginalisation and provide vulnerable children with the support and opportunities they need to lead meaningful and productive lives.

13. Describe your main strategies to achieve this objective?

The ESSP would adopt a multi-faceted approach to achieve its main objectives; Implement a comprehensive outreach program to identify and engage with street children in Northern Ghana, particularly focusing on areas with high incidences of streetism. This involves collaborating with local community leaders, social workers, and NGOs to build trust, understand the specific needs of street children, and establish contact points for support and intervention.

Develop and implement non-formal education programs that cater to the unique circumstances of street children. This includes setting up learning centers, organising literacy and numeracy classes, and offering vocational training tailored to their interests and abilities. Partnering with local educational institutions, volunteers, and the Wikimedia Movement can provide access to educational resources, digital literacy training, and technology skills development.

Establish rehabilitation and support services to address substance abuse issues among street children. This involves setting up counselling centers, providing rehabilitation programs, and collaborating with local healthcare providers to offer treatment and support. Incorporating peer support networks and mentorship programs can also play a vital role in the recovery and reintegration process.

Develop and implement a gender-sensitive approach that specifically addresses the needs and challenges faced by street girls, particularly in Tamale. This includes establishing literacy programs that will create safe spaces for victims of SGBV to report for redress, organise SGBV sensitisation programs, offer counselling and other support services, as well as collaborate with local women's organisations and advocacy groups to empower street girls and protect their rights.

Work closely with families to promote family reintegration as a key strategy for combating streetism. This involves providing support and resources to families to address the underlying causes of streetism, including poverty and lack of social support. Livelihood training, income-generation initiatives, and parenting workshops can empower families to create a nurturing environment for their children and prevent them from ending up on the streets.

Engage in advocacy efforts to raise awareness on streetism, highlight the rights of children, and mobilise support from stakeholders and policymakers. Collaborate with local and international organisations, including the Wikimedia Movement, to leverage resources, share best practices, and create a network of support. Engaging the media, organising awareness campaigns, and participating in policy dialogues can amplify the impact of the intervention.

Establish a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to track the progress and impact of the intervention. Regular assessments, data collection, and feedback mechanisms will help gauge the effectiveness of the strategies and make necessary adjustments for continuous improvement.

14. Are you running any in-person events or activities?

Yes

15. Please state if your proposal aims to work to bridge any of the identified content knowledge gaps?

Content Gender gap, Age (regency) , Geography, Language, Socioeconomic Status, Important Topics (topics considered to be of impact or important in the specific context), Cultural background, ethnicity, religion, racial

16. Please state if your proposal includes any of these areas or thematic focus.

Education, Culture, heritage or GLAM , Advocacy, Human Rights, Climate Change and sustainability, Public Policy, Open Technology, Diversity

17. Will your work focus on involving participants from any underrepresented communities? Select all categories that apply.

Gender Identity, Geographic , Ethnic/racial/religious or cultural background, Disabilities, Socioeconomic status, Age, Digital Access

18. Please tell us more about your target participants.

19. Do you have plans to work with other Wikimedia communities, groups or affiliates in your country, or in other countries, to implement this proposal?

Yes

19a. If yes, please tell us about these connections online and offline and how you have let Wikimedia communities know about this proposal.

We will leverage offline Wikimedia community call the Dagbani Wikimedia operating in the Northern Region of Ghana. Based on our experience with them and the professional networks that we would develop, we will connect with the Dagaare and Frafra Wikimedia communities which are outside of our region online.

19b. If no, please tell us the reasons why it has not been possible to make these connections.

N/A

20. Will you be working with other external non-Wikimedian partners to implement this proposal?

Yes

20a. If yes, please describe these partnerships.

These are like minded local organisations whose work aligns with this project. They have been operating in the project area for a longer period so they have created some connections that this project can easily leverage to maximise the the output of the project.

20a. If yes, indicate sharing of resources from these partners (in kind support, grants, donations, payments).

N/A

21. Please tell us how your organization is structured.

22. Do you have the team that is needed to implement this proposal?

23. Please state if your organization or group has a Strategic Plan that can help us further understand your proposal. You can also upload it here.  

N/A

Learning, Sharing, and Evaluation edit

24. What do you hope to learn from this proposal?

Core Metrics edit

25. Enter a description of the metric and a number in the target field. If the metric does not apply to you, enter N/A for not applicable.

Core Metrics Summary
Core metrics Description Target
Number of participants
Number of editors
Number of organizers
Number of new content contributions per Wikimedia project
Wikimedia Project Description Target
N/A N/A N/A
N/A N/A N/A
N/A N/A N/A
N/A N/A N/A
N/A N/A N/A

25a. If for some reason your proposal will not measure these core metrics please provide an explanation. (optional)

N/A

26. What other information will you be collecting to learn about the impact of your work? (optional)

N/A

27. What tools would you use to measure each metric selected?

28. How do you hope to share these results so that others can learn from them?

Financial Proposal edit

29. What is the amount you are requesting from WMF? Please provide this amount in your local currency.

 

30. What is this amount in US Currency (to the best of your knowledge)?

 USD

31. & 32. Please provide a budget for the amount of funding requested.

33. What do you do to make sure there is a good management of funds?

34. How will you contribute towards creating a supportive environment for participants using the UCOC and Friendly Space Policy?

35. Please use this optional space to upload any documents that you feel are important for further understanding your proposal.

Other public document(s):

Final message edit

By submitting your proposal/funding request you agree that you are in agreement with the Application Privacy Statement, WMF Friendly Space Policy and the Universal Code of Conduct.

36. We/I have read the Application Privacy Statement, WMF Friendly Space Policy and Universal Code of Conduct.

No

Feedback edit