receiving encouragement and support from teachers / school staff to be academically successful( 95 %), with half of students also reporting they were trusted with additional responsibilities that they felt helped them grow( 51 %: 50 % F, 52 % M).
Figure
12: EIP Student Positive Experiences with School Staff
Around a third of surveyed students said they felt motivated to be disciplined and focused due to The Sonder Project support( 39 %: 30 % F, 48 % M); and that teachers and school staff treat them with respect and help them to succeed( 32 %: 30 % F, 33 % M).
4.2.12 What Students Would Like to See Next
When students were asked whether there was anything additional they would like The Sonder Project or TSI to be aware of, 20 of the 41 students provided answers. Three of these students wanted to reinforce their appreciation for The Sonder Project’ s influence on their lives, one saying“ I feel honored, I feel encouraged to excel in education”, another wanting The Sonder Project to know“ they are doing a great job” and the final student expressing that she is“ fully satisfied: the way they are sponsoring us.”
As well as students expressing their gratitude and their desire for The Sonder Project to continue, students suggested additions to the project. Two students expressed their interest in travelling to other areas, one suggesting that The Sonder Project host school trips, the other suggesting The Sonder Project change the venue for the EIP camp so“ we can be able to explore.” Four students discussed additional financial and material support: two students suggesting provision of pocket money, one requesting more exercise books, another requesting transportation support, and a final student asking The Sonder Project to“ bring back the supply of food and beverages.” Two students requested The Sonder Project to help build hostels at their schools, another wanted The Sonder Project to provide better school facilities in villages, and a third student requested the building of nursery schools and more secondary schools in a specific village( Kasikidzi), alongside The Sonder Project running counselling sessions in communities. Finally, four students focused on the next steps of The Sonder Project students. They requested that The Sonder Project provide university fees and improve The Sonder Project students’ job opportunities, either by providing jobs or volunteer work, or providing business training. One student asked for the chance to switch universities if possible.
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