News and Events
EU GRAD WORKS TO IMPROVE EDUCATION IN AFRICA
St. Davids, PA, August 26, 2008: Often you can tell the measure of an organization by its partners. That’s certainly the case with Eastern University graduate Ade Otenaike’s nonprofit organization, Wings of the Dawn International Institute for Children. Wings of the Dawn, created to help build economically stable and productive societies in African communities by ensuring access to self-sustaining educational centers for its citizens, has recently partnered with Fort Worth International Center. This partnership was fueled by what Otenaike learned about nonprofit management after graduating from Eastern University’s Fast-Track Master of Science in Nonprofit Management program. (http://eastern.edu/academic/ccgps/sld/ms_np/index.html)
“Prior to coming to Eastern I had been running the organization without the proper knowledge for it to prosper,” Otenaike said. “The program has helped me understand the industry and achieve success. I now understand the process of managing a nonprofit program effectively.”
The partnership with Fort Worth International Center enables Wings of the Dawn to secure an office space in the center to help promote the city of Fort Worth in its mission of encouraging lifelong reading and learning habits among African children. Otenaike, who commuted from Texas for the few weekend residencies with the Nonprofit Program, attributes much of his success to what he learned through the program.
“Thanks to Eastern, I developed the organization and brought it to a new level entirely,” Otenaike said. “We have developed collaborative relationships with local companies and charities and other organizations. The program has given me the understanding of how to effectively collaborate with local companies and nonprofits that have the same focus that we do. I truly learned how to make those partnerships through Eastern.”
The MS in Nonprofit Management (weekend residency) program is one of only a few graduate programs in the country focused on the management needs specific to the nonprofit sector. This program is focused on helping present and future leaders of the not-for-profit sector gain solid analytical and problem-solving skills unique to nonprofit organizations. Eastern’s nonprofit management degree is offered in Washington, D.C.; St. Davids, PA; and Center City Philadelphia. Students meet in class for ten weekends over the course of approximately 22-24 months, with research and field-based learning in the interim.
Otenaike, the Executive Director/President of Wings of the Dawn, is responsible for general supervision and management of the company. He works with the volunteer board of directors and the staff volunteers to define and direct the strategic approach needed to achieve organizational and program delivery goals and to develop self-sustainable capacity building strategies for grassroots, nonprofit organizations.
Otenaike said, “My favorite part of the weekend residency program was the format of the classes. I had the opportunity to develop relationships and learn from my classmates and professors who have various backgrounds and goals.”
Wings of the Dawn provides a continuous shipment of education materials to Africa. The books have reached a proven 100,000 students between six and 16 years old. Additionally, hundreds of teachers have been supplied with the necessary resources for classroom instruction.
Wings of the Dawn has several other initiatives which are prospering as well. The Self-Sustainable Learning Center (SSLC) program encourages collaboration and shared ownership among residents by building and operating new learning centers. These are areas where no facility previously existed or entail the upgrading of current libraries to be central locations where children will have ongoing access to education resources during and after school hours. The Adopt-A-School program stems from a relationship with a rural elementary school in Africa and a partner elementary school in the United States, where students of similar grade begin a formal relationship by writing letters to one another. This offers African school administrators and personnel the opportunity to view the American educational system and help develop strategic plans to improve processes and procedures to enhance the African school system.
Wings of the Dawn also maintains a Web Presence for African Children program which trains students from African schools in basic Web site development. The Back-Pack for African Children program collects and supplies back-packs with educational supplies to the African schools and community.
“One of my goals is to continue to make a difference in the lives of less fortunate children and young adults in the world,” Otenaike said. “Another goal is to leave a worthy legacy for my children and family.” It looks like he’s well on his way to accomplishing both.
In order for Wings of the Dawn to prosper, the organization is seeking additional partnerships to help promote self-development centers, build new facilities, and upgrade libraries for children. For more information, contact 817.332.7772, 817.346.9577 or visit http://www.wingsofthedawn.org/
The Campolo College of Graduate and Professional Studies at Eastern University offers a broad range of adult, undergraduate and graduate programs from community education to Associate’s degrees to its newest Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership. Areas of instruction include business, counseling psychology, education, health administration, leadership, nonprofit management, nursing and urban/international economic development. For more information call 1.800.732.7669, e-mail gpsadm@eastern.edu.
