

SDG 4: Quality Education

GLC Members
David Ricardo Gonzales, Lwethu Twana, Simon Büschges, Asamoah Kani and Cynthia Ugwu.
Match-A-Buddy is dedicated to addressing high dropout rates, lack of academic aspirations, and lack of individuality in student potential. All of these issues perpetuate cycles of poverty and hinder society's progress by depriving communities of skilled, qualified, and confident individuals who can meaningfully contribute to their development.
Match-A-Buddy
The key impact of Match-a-Buddy is fostering personal connections that enhance academic success, emotional resilience, and a sense of belonging in students.
In our various communities and countries, we have chosen to highlight the following specific problems (bullets), Tackling problems like high dropout rates, lack of school-related aspirations, and lack of individuality is crucial because these issues undermine students' potential, perpetuate cycles of poverty, and hinder societal progress by depriving communities of empowered, skilled, and confident individuals who can contribute meaningfully to their development.
What is the specific problem you tackle? / and why does it matter?
• High dropout rate
• Lack of school-related aspirations
• Lack of individuality
How do you plan to tackle the problem?
• Early intervention
• Peer mentoring and communication
• Academic and emotional support
• 3 year rotation-2 years minimum (twice a week)
• Certificate and recognition incentive
• Tracking progress
Target participants: children/students between the ages 6-18 and university students
Training: communication, academic assistance, diversity to ensure inclusivity and emotional support.
• Phase 1
- Divide ages to 6-12
- Pair students in the school based on interest and personality, goals and greater relatability.
- Pair students to university student with similar interests
- Students will offer academic support, emotional support
- Include fun, non-academic bonding activities
- Regular check-ins build a sense of belonging
• Phase 2
- Age group 12-18
- Pair students in the school based on interest and personality, goals and greater relatability.
- Pair students to university students with similar interests
- Students will offer academic support, emotional support
- Include fun, non-academic bonding activities
Impact:
What will be the short and long term outcomes?
• Building confidence (help identify and nurture talents or interest outside academics)
• Social integration
• Retention rates
• Personalized support (one-on-one guidance)
• Motivational Boost
How does this project demonstrate responsible leadership in action?
• Fostering Inclusivity and Equity
• It ensures that all students, especially those at risk of being marginalized, receive personal attention and support tailored to their unique needs and circumstances.
• Encouraging Mentorship and Role Modeling
• By creating opportunities for older or more experienced buddies to mentor younger students, it builds a culture of responsibility and positive influence among participants.
• Promoting Accountability
• Buddies take ownership of their roles, consistently supporting their assigned peers and reporting progress, demonstrating commitment to shared goals.
• Empowering Communities Through Shared Responsibility
• The program involves youth at different stages of life, allowing kids to por into one another.
• Developing Future Leaders
• Participants in the program learn valuable skills like communication, empathy, and problem-solving, preparing them to take on leadership roles in their schools and communities.
• Ensuring Sustainability and Growth
• Responsible leadership is demonstrated by building a scalable and adaptable framework, ensuring the program’s benefits extend to more students over time while addressing evolving challenges.