At the end of this month, Walt Disney Productions will release Queen of Katwe, a film that highlights the story of a young Ugandan girl whose world rapidly changes after being introduced to the game of chess, traditionally meant for her male counterparts. Little does Phiona Mutesi know that halfway across the world, the same game she is so talented in is being taught to at-risk youth to help with scholastic studies and self-esteem. Here at The Pollination Project we are humbled to provide seed grants, from the forests of East Africa to the coast of the Eastern United States to help grantees gets their ideas off the ground. This week we are excited to fund seven ideas using creative means to help participants reach success, whether that be in education, employment or examinations.
Please put your hands together to help us in recognizing our seven latest grantees!
Jeffrey Baykal-Rollins, The Body of the People, Boston, Connecticut, USA. With a heightening social-political climate, an art installation and performance project interweaves language and imagery about major movements.
Mary Awinja Akutu, Sweet Potatoes: A Woman's Crop for Vihiga County, Vihiga, Kenya. Household enterprises use sweet potatoes as a way to mitigate food insecurity, increase economic employment and promote healthy lifestyles.
Jane Mhango Mwambila, Chuma Mnthaka Project, Rumphi, Malawi. Agribusiness promotes productivity and sustainable management of environmental resources intended to support households with startup opportunities.
Wendy Welch, Appalachian Feline Friends, Big Stone Gap, Virginia, USA. Community education surrounding spaying, neutering and responsible pet ownership is promoted to help keep felines alive and well.
Alma Leiva, San Pedro Sula Tiene Cuerpo de Mujer (San Pedro Sula has the Body of A Woman), San José, Costa Rica. A geographical plot collage establishes personal relationships with women who find themselves victims of gender violence.
Kantimahanthi Laxmi Narasimha and Murthy Aparna Surampudi, Community-Based Conservation of King Cobras in Eastern Ghats of South India, Visakhapatnam, India. Wildlife societies mitigate threats to the vulnerable King Cobras, which are killed at alarming rates due to fear and ignorance.
David Benjamin, Chess for Success, Norfolk, Virginia, USA. At-risk youth are provided free instruction in chess to help increase scholastic performance and acquire problem solving, analytical and sportsmanship skills.