Changing a Family, One Girl at A Time
In briefAI summary — tap to read
Jeff Rivero, a teacher and Rotary member at Merced Sunrise Club, presented how his interact club and students are supporting girls' education at the Daraja Academy in Kenya through the "Green That School" project. The initiative combines California Green Ribbon Schools principles, UN Sustainable Development Goals, and career technical education to provide solar energy, clean water systems, and air quality monitoring to the all-girls school while inspiring Rivero's continuation high school students through service learning.
Key takeaways
- The Green That School project integrates environmental sustainability, career technical education, and global service by having students design and fundraise for solar generators, atmospheric water generators, and air quality monitors for the Daraja Academy in rural Kenya.
- Students at Rivero's continuation high school gain self-esteem, public speaking skills, and sense of purpose by presenting their work at conferences and community events, with many staying after school three hours daily to prepare.
- The Daraja Academy provides tuition-free education to economically disadvantaged girls in Kenya who face gender discrimination and limited access to resources; girls who graduate from the academy pass the national exam at 100% and send 60-90% of their income back to support their families.
- Rotary partnerships with teachers, interact clubs, and community organizations create synergy that amplifies impact through shared causes like the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Rotary's seven causes, and Pope Francis's priorities.
- Every $1,200 donated to the Daraja Academy enables one girl to have a 100% chance of graduating college and supporting her family economically.
About Jeff RiveroJeff Rivero is a digital media teacher at Yosemity High School's continuation program and rotarian with the Rotary Club of Merced Sunrise in California. He was selected as a United Nations Ambassador for the Sustainable Development Goals in 2019 and advises the interact club's junior ambassadors program.
AI-generated from the meeting recording — AI can make mistakes, so check the recording for anything important.
MEETING FOR THE WEEK OF Feb 19, 2024
This Meeting at a Glance:
Program: Changing a Family, One Girl at A Time
Speaker: Jeff Rivero
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THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: 19 February
Winston Churchill: "We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give." - Directly echoes the philosophy of Rotary, of selfless giving and service above self.
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Send Happy DollarsProgram: Changing a Family, One Girl at A Time
Speaker: Jeff Rivero
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The Green That School (GTS) project is designed to engage a diverse, multi-faceted audience, encompassing local and global stakeholders. The project merges students from the Daraja Academy in Nanyuki, Kenya, and the Merced Union High School District in California in the United States. The initiative aims to empower young women by addressing critical issues such as gender violence, quality education, and arranged marriages while expanding their educational and professional horizons through Career Technical Education and advocating for women's involvement in STEM fields.
The project amplifies efforts with international organizations like the United Nations and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, Rotary, and the US Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools program. Doing so aims to promote environmental and socially sustainable practices globally and nationally. The GTS project includes the worldwide nonprofit sector and educational institutions while modeling collaboration, curriculum development, and place-based learning. It enables others to enhance their academic goals and offer hands-on learning experiences. Its efforts resonate with individuals interested in various social and environmental issues and civic engagement by introducing them to societies with harsh social norms. The student-driven activity provides an accessible platform for anyone looking to engage, support, and promote the initiative's mission to impact care locally and globally.
Jeff Rivero is a US history and digital media teacher at Yosemite High School in Merced, California. He has integrated environmental and social equity education into a curriculum that requires civic engagement to advocate for policy changes, behavioral and procedural modifications, and equity in social, economic, and environmental issues. Mr. Rivero was selected as a United Nations Ambassador for the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2019 and advised students to lead an after-school program called the Junior Ambassadors. Rivero's innovative approach to integrating the SDGs, career technical guidance, history content standards for California, and environmental studies into the high school classroom has led to several awards, including the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Education, the US Green Building Council K–12 Educator Award, and the Green California Schools Leadership Award. Take Action Global, a nonprofit organization focused on curbing climate change selected Mr. Rivero’s class for its School of Excellence awards. Prince William of Wales addressed the students virtually to recognize their work.
Members and guests, please welcome Mr Jeff Rivero
To learn more about Daraja, go to:
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