While the EIP camp was not voted on by surveyed students as one of the top three most important types of support students receive through EIP, it received positive feedback across stakeholder groups. Despite the absence of an EIP program at Kawiya CDSS, the deputy head, in an interview, relayed strong praise from previous camp participants, who called it‘ the first of its kind.’ Students also conveyed their appreciation for the camp:
“ We would like Sonder to extend the camp to like 2 weeks, that would be great for us.” and“ The camp is very impressive and they should continue with the initiative. It ' s really helping.”
— Student participants, EIP camp
Participants linked the camp to improvements in academic performance, with one student conveying the camp’ s utility in maintaining academic practice in between terms:
“ After schools close at the end of the term, we stay in our homes with nothing to do regarding our education, but now we are here at the camp learning a lot of things and when we go back to school, we will be equipped with more knowledge and skills which will also lead to the increase in our performance.”
— Student participant, EIP camp
A teacher from Chayamba commented that at the camp,“ the students are learning a lot including class work, therefore, I urge them [ Sonder ] to continue”, while a teacher from Kawiya School reported that the camp“ helped to boost the students’ knowledge because now they are able to share and learn ideas from one another.”
The emphasis on the camp bringing EIP students together from across schools was touched on by another teacher from Chayamba, saying the camp“ is helping a lot of students build good interpersonal skills … The summer camp has encouraged good socialisation skills amongst the students.”
Finally, another student at the camp said that The Sonder Project should“ keep organising initiatives like the summer camps, because when we tell others about how good a time we are having here, it will help them work hard to be selected by Sonder.”
4.2.4 Improved Attendance and Engagement at School
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