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"Kassia Mananga’s 'Learn to Lead': Empowering Education for a Brighter Future"

Writer's picture: SDG Reporter VaishnaviSDG Reporter Vaishnavi
Can you tell me about your project related to education? What was its main goal?

Learn to Lead is your nonprofit project dedicated to transforming children’s lives through education and the development of essential skills for the future. One of the main focuses of the project is working with deaf children and creating an innovative app to help them learn languages in an accessible and inclusive way.

What motivated you to focus on this particular education issue for your project?

Respect for human rights is an issue area that's always been close to my heart. Human rights are for everyone. They ensure that we live a happy and healthy life, free of any discrimination or harm aimed at us. Education serves as the foundation for how we navigate the world, the ways in which we acquire knowledge, and how we use it to make the world a better place. Combining education and our Thematic Area themes together, to me, sounded like the perfect outlet to engage with topics I feel very passionate about. I wanted to utilize education as a vehicle of teaching others about Human Rights and Democratic Citizenship. "Human rights" is a very broad topic. Our work covers topics like education for refugees, combatting human trafficking, the right to live peacefully, and more. I liked that UNESCO gave us the opportunity to organize projects covering so many of these sub-themes. Once again, this allowed me to gain experience in a variety of rights in the humanitarian sphere.

Can you share some of the activities or actions you took as part of your project?

Since Learn to Lead is a recent initiative set to officially launch in March, we don’t have photos yet. However, we are excited to share updates, photos, and videos as soon as possible.


Some of the key activities planned for the project include:

• Developing an inclusive language-learning app to help deaf children learn multiple languages.

• Providing educational workshops focused on essential skills for the future.

• Creating a supportive community that encourages learning and leadership among children.

• Collaborating with educators and specialists to ensure the best learning experience for the children.

How did you and your team work together to make your project successful?

Since Learn to Lead is still in its early stages, our team is focused on laying a strong foundation for the project’s success. Collaboration has been key, and we are working together in several ways:

• Strategic Planning: Defining clear goals, structuring the initiative, and outlining steps for implementation.

• Research & Development: Gathering insights on language learning for deaf children and consulting experts to create an effective and inclusive learning experience.

• Technology & Innovation: Designing the concept for our language-learning app to ensure accessibility and engagement.

• Community Engagement: Connecting with educators, parents, and specialists to build a network of support.

• Future Growth & Sustainability: Exploring funding opportunities and partnerships to ensure long-term impact.


As we move forward, teamwork remains at the heart of Learn to Lead, ensuring that we create meaningful and lasting change.

Did you face any challenges while working on your project? How did you overcome them?

As Learn to Lead is still in its early stages, we have already encountered some challenges, but we see them as opportunities for growth and improvement. Some of the key challenges include:

1. Developing an Inclusive Learning Approach – Since our project focuses on deaf children, we need to ensure that our educational methods and app are truly accessible. To overcome this, we are consulting with experts in deaf education and sign language specialists.

2. Funding & Resources – As a nonprofit initiative, securing financial support and resources is essential for sustainability. We are working on building partnerships, seeking grants, and exploring fundraising strategies to support our goals.

3. Building Awareness & Engagement – Since this is a new initiative, reaching the right audience and gaining support requires strong outreach efforts. We are developing a communication strategy to connect with educators, parents, and the broader community.

4. Technical Development of the App – Creating an effective language-learning app involves challenges related to design, usability, and technology. We are currently researching.

What do you think was the most important thing you learned from working on this project?

Working on Learn to Lead has already been a valuable learning experience, even in its early stages. One of the most important lessons so far is the power of inclusion and accessibility in education. Understanding the unique challenges that deaf children face has reinforced the need for tailored learning approaches that truly empower them.


Additionally, this journey has highlighted:

1. The Importance of Collaboration – Engaging with educators, specialists, and the community has shown that collective effort is key to creating meaningful change.

2. The Need for Innovation in Education – Traditional teaching methods don’t always address the needs of all learners, so embracing technology and new strategies is essential.

3. Patience and Persistence – Building something impactful takes time, and overcoming challenges requires resilience and adaptability.

4. The Value of Awareness and Advocacy – Many people are unaware of the barriers deaf children face in education. Raising awareness is just as important as providing solutions.


As the project grows, I expect even more lessons to emerge, shaping Learn to Lead into a truly transformative initiative!

Can you describe any positive changes or improvements you observed as a result of your project?

Since Learn to Lead is still in its early stages and set to officially launch in March, we haven’t yet had the chance to observe direct results. However, even in the planning phase, we have already seen some positive developments:

1. Increased Awareness & Interest – As we share our vision, more people—including educators, parents, and specialists—are showing interest in supporting inclusive education for deaf children.

2. Building a Strong Network – We are connecting with professionals in deaf education, technology, and child development, which is strengthening our project’s foundation.

3. Growing Engagement & Support – The conversations around Learn to Lead have sparked enthusiasm, with potential collaborators expressing willingness to contribute.

4. A Clearer Vision for Impact – Through research and discussions, we’ve refined our approach to ensure our language-learning app and educational activities truly meet the needs of deaf children.


Once the project officially starts, we look forward to seeing tangible improvements in the children’s learning experiences, confidence, and communication skills. We are excited to track and share the impact as we progress!

Did you receive any feedback from your classmates, teachers, or community members about your project? If so, what was it?

Since Learn to Lead is still in its early stages, most of the feedback we’ve received so far has come from educators, specialists, and community members who are interested in the project. The responses have been very encouraging!


Here are some key points from the feedback we’ve received:

1. Strong Support for Inclusion – Many people appreciate the focus on deaf children’s education, as there is a clear need for more inclusive learning opportunities.

2. Excitement About the Language-Learning App – Educators and parents see the app as a valuable tool that could make a real difference in helping deaf children learn languages.

3. Suggestions for Collaboration – Some specialists in deaf education and child development have offered insights and recommendations to help refine our approach.

4. Interest in Getting Involved – Several people have expressed a desire to support the project, whether through volunteering, spreading awareness, or offering expertise.


As the project moves forward, we look forward to gathering more feedback from the children and families who will benefit from Learn to Lead, ensuring that we continuously improve and make a meaningful impact!

How do you feel your project has contributed to promoting education and learning among your peers or in your community?

Even though Learn to Lead is still in the early stages, it’s already contributing to promoting education and learning in meaningful ways. The project has:

1. Shined a Spotlight on Inclusive Education – By focusing on deaf children, it brings attention to the need for more inclusive and accessible learning methods. This is sparking conversations in the community about how we can all play a role in making education more equitable.

2. Fostered Collaboration and Dialogue – The project has encouraged educators, specialists, and community members to come together and explore innovative ways to support underrepresented learners. This collective effort is helping to create a broader, more supportive educational environment.

3. Promoted the Use of Technology in Education – By developing an app aimed at helping deaf children learn languages, the project is showcasing how technology can enhance educational opportunities and be a powerful tool for inclusion.

4. Inspired Others to Get Involved – Seeing the potential impact of the project has motivated others in the community to consider how they can support education, whether through advocacy, expertise, or resources.


As we move forward, Learn to Lead will continue to strengthen these contributions and create more opportunities for positive change in education.

What are your plans or ideas for continuing to work on education-related issues in the future?

For the future of Learn to Lead and my broader focus on education, there are several key plans and ideas:

1. Expanding the Reach of Learn to Lead – Once the initial phases of the project are complete, I plan to expand its reach to include more children, schools, and communities, ensuring that more children, especially those with disabilities, have access to quality, inclusive education.

2. Developing More Educational Tools and Resources – Beyond the language-learning app, I plan to create additional educational resources that can address various needs within the community, focusing on building essential skills and empowering children to succeed in a rapidly changing world.

3. Promoting Educational Equity – I hope to engage in advocacy work to push for systemic changes in the education sector, ensuring that all children, regardless of their background or challenges, have equal opportunities to learn and grow.

4. Building Partnerships for Sustainable Impact – Collaborating with other organizations, government bodies, and educators will be essential in creating long-lasting solutions. I plan to continue forming partnerships that allow Learn to Lead and other education initiatives to grow and sustain their impact over time.

5. Training and Supporting Educators – Providing professional development opportunities for educators, especially those working with children with disabilities, is an important area for future work. Equipping teachers with the right skills and knowledge can make a big difference in the success of these students.


These plans align with my long-term commitment to education, and I look forward to continuing to work on these issues, creating opportunities for every child to thrive.


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