Every summer S4Si sends a small delegation of students to visit Zanzibar, Tanzania. These delegates select the new scholarship recipients, check-in with current Scholars, and meet with community leaders and officials to plan for the year ahead. While we are in close contact with our local partners and the Scholars themselves throughout the year, the summer delegation is an important opportunity to foster close relationships and direct collaboration in pursuit of a program which best serves our Scholars and their communities.
The delegation also gives the student members a chance to witness first-hand S4Si’s impact on the lives of our Scholars and their families. These students are able to take their participation in S4Si beyond the local community and into the heart of the organization’s mission.
Upon returning to school, the delegates are expected to share what they have seen and learned with those in S4Si as well as other community members who were not able to travel to Zanzibar. This often takes the form of pictures, videos, stories, and letters. The commitment of our members and our donors is reinforced by constant exposure to these personal connections.
S4Si has invested more than $70,000 in education since July 2005.