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Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI) Africa is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, registered in the United States and operating in Africa. Founded in 2009, the organization works with local communities to run hands-on "experiential" learning projects with underprivileged youth. Its mission is to provide a "creative, cost-effective, and sustainable alternative to traditional paid tuition programs."

During the summer of 2010, the organization brought several ELI Africa Fellows to the island of Mauritius as a pilot project. In 2011, ELI Africa built on its successful first year by opening the ELI Education Center in the village of Pamplemousses, Mauritius. ELI Africa is currently looking towards further development in Mauritius as well as expansion into other countries. The organization recently completed needs-assessments in Tanzania and Madagascar.

Vision: To ensure that all children, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, creed, or socioeconomic status receive equal access to top quality education.

Mission: ELI Africa’s mission is to work collaboratively with local communities to run experiential learning projects for underprivileged youth. Through its emphasis on hands-on educational techniques, ELI Africa hopes to give students access to practical knowledge and skills without resorting to rote memorization or repetition. By promoting free, locally relevant education programs that encourage community involvement and foster social integration, ELI Africa seeks to provide a creative, cost-effective, and sustainable alternative to traditional paid tuition programs.

History

Yale University alumnus Vedant Seeam conceived of and founded ELI Africa in 2009 during his junior year. Seeam has successfully involved a number of Yale University faculty and local Mauritian political figures in ELI Africa. He remains actively involved with the organization, serving as its President and Chief Executive Officer.

Seeam and his team designed the ELI Africa Fellows Program to enable Yale University undergraduates to teach short eight-week educational courses over the summer. The inaugural ELI Africa Fellows Program took place during the summer of 2010 in Mauritius. Six Yale University undergraduates and three project administrators taught courses in two local schools, implementing programs concerning the environment, health and fitness, information technology, and the arts. Over 300 children who had struggled within the traditional public school system benefited from these four experiential learning projects.

Activities

Education Center

After evaluating the impact of the pilot program, ELI Africa decided its mission would be better realized by teaching its courses from a centralized location. Rather than teaching in local schools in June 2011, the seven 2011 Fellows instead opened the ELI Africa Education Center, assisted by two project administrators and several Mauritian volunteers. Over the course of the following eight weeks, the Fellows taught hands-on science, health and gardening, creative writing, sports, theatre, poetry, dance, vocal music, and marine biology, as well as providing one-on-one after-school tutoring. ELI Fellows worked in close collaboration with local actors to ensure that the projects responded to local needs.

ELI Scholar Program

ELI Africa launched a new initiative during the summer of 2011: the ELI Africa Scholars Program. The ELI Scholars Program brings members of Yale’s graduate and professional schools to work with the ELI Fellows, connecting their work with the organization’s long-term vision. ELI Scholars also draw on their academic development and professional experience to offer guidance, develop new projects, and improve overall efficiency.

Awards

ELI Africa won a $20,000 grant from the Chase Community Giving Program, sponsored by J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., in July 2010.