Boost Employability Skills of Sri Lankan Students
Donation protected
We are an Australian-based volunteer group, working to support high school students in Sri Lanka as they learn about different career pathways, develop employability skills, and critical and creative thinking skills.
Through our programs, we hope to inspire students and equip them with the skills and knowledge they need to reach their full potential.
As a volunteer-run initiative, Meraki Minds has been entirely funded by our co-founders and generous friends over the last 3 years. This has included the purchase of laptops to lend to students, provision of resources for our programs and other administrative costs.
As we grow, we find ourselves in need of more resources to expand our programs and increase our impact.
What do we offer?
✨ 1. Online Mentoring Program: Through our 9-month mentoring program, we link students with experienced mentors to help them develop essential employability skills for future success.
✨ 2. Project-Based Learning: For those who successfully complete our mentoring program, we have an exciting path ahead - Project-Based Learning! Students are guided to plan, research, develop and present a project of their choice, using the employability skills they learned from their mentors.
✨️3. Career Development Program: This is our brand new program for students who recently completed their A/L exams. Whether they are entering university, applying for a job or seeking an alternate pathway, we equip them with the employability skills and knowledge to start strong on their career journeys.
✨ 4. Teacher Empowerment: It's not just about the students; it's about the educators too. We've conducted teacher workshops with our partner schools in Sri Lanka, with a focus on student-centered teaching techniques to implement in the classroom.
Three years into our journey, we've been lucky enough to work with 50 passionate mentors from Australia, New Zealand, England, and Singapore, all volunteering their time and expertise to support students in our partner schools.
We're just getting started, and with more plans and ideas for our programs, we need your help.
Your contributions will help us:
- Purchase Essential Equipment: While we have previously purchased and sent laptops/IT equipment, we are in need of at least 15 more entry-level laptops and headphones to lend to our students. This is our biggest cost, and the best way we can help more students engage with our programs.
- Develop New Programs: Fund the development of materials and resources for brand new programs focusing on alternative pathways for those who can't enter university, and students' mental health and wellbeing.
- Keep Us Online: Support the maintenance of our online presence, guaranteeing accessibility and up-to-date resources for our students and volunteers.
- Celebrate Achievements: Treat our students to a well-deserved morning tea, acknowledging their achievements and dedication.
- Honour Efforts: Cover costs for awards and certificates, offering tangible proof of students' incredible efforts and growth.
- Thank Our Volunteers: Provide small gifts of appreciation and gratitude to our dedicated volunteers for their commitment, time and support.
Your contributions will help us continue our work as we prepare our students for life after school and beyond.
If you'd like to know more about us, please check out our socials @merakiminds_net or website at www.merakiminds.net
Thank you for your interest and support!
Fundraising team (2)
Meraki Minds
Organizer
Melbourne, VIC
Sharmaine Fernando
Team member