SEED ACADEMY GIRLS FINAL REPORT 2016
WITH OVER 200M PEOPLE BETWEEN 15-24 AFRICA IS THE FUTURE OF THE WORLD In fact, in Senegal — 60% of the country is under 24.
Yet among these young people, GIRLS are often not provided the same pathway to success as their male counterparts.
We believe their potential is UNLIMITED.
1 out of 6 girls in Senegal can’t read or write (UNESCO) Only 18% of girls in Senegal attend high school (UNESCO)
A LOOK BACK AT 2016 Launched in 2013 with the support of NBA Champion, Boris Diaw, SEED Academy Girls is the premier basketball student-athlete program for young women in Africa. Located in Thies, Senegal, up to 25 girls, grades 6-12, receive full scholarships to live, train, and pursue their goal of attending university. We provide an innovate combination of high performance athletic training, academic enrichment classes and leadership development programming to create an environment for our young women to explore their full potential. This past program year, our SEED Girls program reached new heights. Our girls outperformed their peers across all major academic indicators in Senegal, our first two girls matriculated to school in the U.S., and we sent a record number of students to Africa’s top youth basketball camp. Additionally, we expanded our course offerings with the launch of Women’s Empowerment, an organization-wide initiative to educate our students, staff and families about the potential of young women. By every measure, our SEED Girls program is positively altering the trajectory of African women. Please enjoy the following report, and thank you for your continued support to help us develop the next generation of female African leaders.
PROGRAMMING DETAILS Our programs are designed to increase school retention and graduation rates, while giving our students the confidence to dream big, and the tools to make those dreams come true. Program Goals 1. 95% of students will either attend university or secure a job 2. All students will develop a greater sense of self confidence through participation in our Women’s Empowerment Program 3. Prepare students to be leaders for the next generation of African youth Programming • Admissions: Students are selected from across the country based on academic history, passion for using basketball as a tool to grow, and parent / teacher interviews • Tuition to attend top middle school or high school • Subject specific academic tutoring (x2 per week); Classes avg. 12:1 student:teacher ratio vs 40:1 nat’l avg. • English language classes (x2 per week) • College prep support (TOEFL, BAC, SAT, ACT) • Study abroad opportunities (Africa, U.S., Canada, Europe) • High performance basketball training from top FIBA certified coaches (daily) • Housing, meals and transportation • Athletic training gear (provided by Nike)
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS FINAL REPORT 2016
THE SKY HAS NO LIMIT A note to her host parents from Ramatoulaye Sy (Masters ’18), the first SEED Girl to attend school in the U.S.
I’m writing to tell you how different the world looks to me now, how mature I’ve become, and how strong and confident I am now after my first year in the United States. When I reflect back on my life and my childhood, I was a shy girl who knew what she wanted but wasn’t courageous and confident enough to do it. I always backed up when it was time to step up. I always got scared when it was my turn to act. The only thing that was clear to me was school. I started playing basketball in 2012 and became part of the SEED family in 2014. Before attending SEED Academy, basketball was just a hobby. I played it because it was fun. I never thought that basketball would become a passion that would completely change my life in all aspects. My first year in the United States, at the Masters School, was amazing and challenging at the same time. It wasn’t easy to live in a country where you’ve never been before. On top of that, my English was not fluent when I arrived, but I learned how to be patient and how to self-motivate. And I was lucky to be part of a welcoming and free community at Masters where everybody is equal no matter what your identity is.
“The biggest thing that I learned this year was to not be scared to fail, but to be courageous enough to keep moving. There is no straight road to success.” — Ramatoulaye Sy
No one wishes to get injured but it sometimes teaches you more than you expected. Tearing my ACL this year was not what I wanted to happen but it motivated me so much and made me stronger than ever. I know that life isn’t always full of joy. People don't realize how lucky and fortunate they are until something bad happens to them. This injury really makes me realize that time is precious. I’ve became more open minded. Now, when I return home, it feels great even if I see Senegal in a very different way. We (in Senegal) must devote more time to find out what’s going on around the world. We can always learn more. The sky is the limit even if the sky has no limit. I want to thank you for supporting me and encouraging me from the first day I stepped foot in the U.S. I wouldn’t be able to have had such a great and unforgettable year without your help, your care, and your support. I truly appreciate it.
BY THE NUMBERS
SEED ACADEMY GIRLS IN THE CLASSROOM
ON THE COURT
Through a combination of academic tutoring, grade monitoring and specialized test prep, our young women have outperformed national averages across all major academic indicators.
For the first time ever, the NBA Basketball Without Borders Camp (September 1-4) for the top 80 African student-athletes under 18, opened their doors to women from across Africa. Held in Angola, and joined by NBA players, coaches and personnel, SEED sent five girls, the most of any country. Campers enjoyed four days of basketball skills clinics, competitive games, elite coaching from top professionals, team-building activities, and cultural excursions around the country.
GRADE BREAKDOWN
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE CLASS OF 2016 • 20 students enrolled in Senegal
10
• 100% received financial aid • 90% of students will move on to the next grade in school
5 3
2 9th
10th
11th
12th
• 2 students passed the BFEM test and will matriculate to high school (100% pass rate) • 2 students passed the BAC and will matriculate to university (66% pass rate)
SEED GIRLS EXAM PASS RATES SINCE 2013 88%
80%
GENERAL POPULATION
49% 35%
SEED GIRLS BFEM EXAM MIDDLE SCHOOL
BAC EXAM HIGH SCHOOL
On the court, or SEED Girls dominated throughout the camp and our own, Bigueye Sarr, took home the MVP of the All-Star game (pictured top left).
NEW PROGRAM
WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT We launched Women’s Empowerment to provide our girls with a supportive environment where they can build life skills, develop their voices and express their opinions freely. The program included a series of leadership workshops across the school year and summer thanks to the support of H.O.P.E. for Senegal (Helping Other People Everywhere) and the Babac’ards Foundation.
H.O.P.E. Summer Workshop
Picture us Ballin’
In partnership with H.O.P.E. we provided four workshops for our SEED Girls this past August. Topics included: Leadership & Entrepreneurship, Violence Against Women, Women’s Sexual Health, Self-Acceptance.
Produced and directed by Nigerian artist, Folasade Adeoso, Picture us Ballin’ explores the intersection of women, sport and culture in Africa.
#HeForShe x UN Women To celebrate International Women's Day, our students and staff joined the UN Women's #HeForShe campaign to raise awareness about gender equality. The 4-hour event included workshops for our SEED Academy students, and lectures from local community members on the importance of womens' role in Senegal.
#iamtheCODE Hackathon Our SEED Girls were invited by #iamtheCODE, an NGO that increases girl’s access to technology, to participate in a two-day workshop where they received a tutorial in the basics of computer coding.
All 20 SEED Girls worked together to style a photoshoot, design the clothes, scout the locations and produce meaningful images that represent how they want to be seen. Please visit our online gallery for a full collection of images from this campaign. www.seedproject.org/pictureusballin
FINANCIALS INCOME
EXPENSES Insurance, Medical 2% Travel 4%
$58,905 Individual Donors 34%
Admin 8%
Foundation 66%
$58,191
Programming 74%
Total Expenses
Total Revenue
Food 13%
Foundation Individual
$38,905
Programming
$20,000
• • • •
$43,427
Athletic ($26,547) Academic ($9,291) Alumni ($3,900)
Admin
$4,977
Travel
$2,084
Medical
$1,146
Women’s Empowerment ($2,688)
Food
$7,558
PARTNERS
SEED ACADEMY GIRLS FINAL REPORT 2016
STUDENT PROFILES
Adji Coumba Seck
Aida Gueye
Aissatou Mbengue
9th Grade, CEM Ballabey 2nd year in SEED Girls 6’5 // Center • Passed to the next grade in school and received her BFEM to graduate middle school • Selected to Basketball Without Borders camp in Angola for the top 60 girls in Africa under 18.
Junior, Lycee Malick Sy 1st year in SEED Girls 5’11 // Guard • Passed to the next grade in school.
Junior, Lycee Malick Sy 1st year in SEED Girls 5’8 // Guard • Passed to the next grade in school. • Selected to Basketball Without Borders camp in Angola for the top 60 girls in Africa under 18.
Aissatou Fall
Amy Thialaw
Fatou Pouye
9th Grade, CEM Ballabey 1st year in SEED Girls 5’8 // Guard • Passed to the next grade in school and received her BFEM to graduate middle school • Selected to Basketball Without Borders camp in Angola for the top 60 girls in Africa under 18.
10th Grade, Lycee Malick Sy 2nd year in SEED Girls 6’0 // Forward • Passed to the next grade in school
10th Grade, CEM Ballabey 3rd year in SEED Girls 6’0 // Forward • Passed to the next grade in school
Fatou Kine Diop
Khadidiatou Bigue Sarr
Khady Sarr Gueye
10th Grade, College Saint Gabriel 2nd year in SEED Girls 5’11 // Guard • Passed to the next grade in school • Selected to Basketball Without Borders camp in Angola for the top 60 girls in Africa under 18.
11th Grade, Lycee Malick Sy 1st year in SEED Girls 6’3 // Center • Passed to the next grade in school • Selected to Basketball Without Borders camp in Angola for the top 60 girls in Africa under 18. • Won MVP of Basketball Without Borders
10th Grade, Lycee Malick Sy 1st year in SEED Girls 5’8 // Guard • Passed to the next grade in school
Maam Marietou Biteye
Mame Fatou Konare
Ndeye Ndiaye
11th Grade, Lycee d’Excellence ISM 2nd year in SEED Girls 6’5 // Center • Passed to the next grade in school
11th Grade, Lycee Malick Sy 3rd year in SEED Girls 5’10 // Forward • Passed to the next grade in school
10th Grade, Lycee Malick Sy 3rd year in SEED Girls 5’4 // Guard • Passed to the next grade in school
Ndeye Aichata Biteye
Ndeye Fatou Ciss
Ndeye Ndieme Diallo
11th Grade, Lycee d’Excellence ISM 2nd year in SEED Girls 6’2 // Forward • Passed to the next grade in school
11th Grade, Lycee Malick Sy 3rd year in SEED Girls 6’0 // Forward • Passed to the next grade in school • Selected to Basketball Without Borders camp in Angola for the top 60 girls in Africa under 18. • All-Star of Basketball Without Borders
12th Grade, Lycee Malick Sy 3rd year in SEED Girls 5’6 // Guard • Passed to the next grade in school and received her BAC to matriculate to university • Ndieme will attend the University of Gaston Berger in Senegal
Nogaye Diop
Oumy Gueye
Oumy Senghor
11th Grade, Lycee Malick Sy 2nd year in SEED Girls 6’0 // Forward • Repeating 11th grade in 2016-17
11th Grade, Lycee Malick Sy 3rd year in SEED Girls 5’11 // Forward • Passed to the next grade in school
12th Grade, College Saint Gabriel 2nd year in SEED Girls 5’8 // Guard • Passed to the next grade in school and received her BAC to matriculate to university • Oumy will attend the University of Thies in Senegal
Salka Ngouda Diop
Yaye Fatou Ba
11th Grade, Lycee Malick Sy 2nd year in SEED Girls 6’1 // Forward • Passed to the next grade in school
12th Grade, Lycee Technique 3rd year in SEED Girls 5’8 // Guard • Repeating 12th grade in 2016-17
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For more information please contact: NOAH LEVINE Executive Director, SEED Project noah@seedproject.org +001.203.571.7524
MOHAMED NIANG Executive Director, SEED Senegal mohamed@seedproject.org +221.77.707.1564