Title
To recognize Indianola Informal K-8 Elementary School for encouraging an education incorporating global awareness and diversity through partnerships with the Sahwira Fund and Maulana School for Orphans in Epworth, Zimbabwe.
Body
WHEREAS, the mission of the Indianola Informal K-8 Elementary School is to provide opportunities where children learn by doing and by interacting with their environment with strong, positive teacher guidance so that children can take responsibility for their own learning; and
WHEREAS, the Indianola Informal K-8 Elementary School allows opportunities for children to express their knowledge and talents through visual art, music and dance creating an environment which encourages mutual respect and cultural understanding; and
WHEREAS, in the spring 2005, Indianola Informal K-8 Elementary School befriended artist, Gedion Nyanhongo who later introduced the school to the Maulana School for Orphans, a school where 1600 children are fed, clothed and educated everyday, which is made possible by Tony and Daisy Maulana and their commitment to the children orphaned by AIDS in Epworth, Zimbabwe; and
WHEREAS, created in the spring 2006 by Braden Coolidge and Gedion, Agnes and Collen Nyanhongo, The Sahwira Fund establishes and nurtures long-term relationships with grassroots organizations promoting improvements in health, education and quality of life for children orphaned by AIDS in Africa, currently supporting the Maulana School for Orphans, Epworth, Zimbabwe, Africa; and
WHEREAS, by partnering with the Maulana School for Orphans and sharing gifts of literature, stories, poetry, letters, e-mails, artwork, music, cultural artifacts and photographs, the teachers at Indianola began creating learning experiences for students that promoted global awareness and appreciation of diversity, as well as evoked a multi-cultural understanding of the world; and
WHEREAS, the partnership between Indianola Informal K-8 Elementary School and the Maulana School for Orphans continues to be focused on engaging others in the responsibility to consider issues of equity within our global education system; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That we do hereby recognize Indianola Informal K-8 Elementary School for encouraging an education incorporating global awareness and diversity through partnerships with the Sahwira Fund and Maulana School for Orphans in Epworth, Zimbabwe.