MEC teaches English and business principles through partnerships with the University of Utah, Utah Valley University, and other U.S. institutions to create lasting educational and livelihood opportunities in Guinea-Bissau. The U and UVU provide both academic support and instructor internships.
We’re empowering Guineans toward sustainable development based on the building of small businesses. The school will expand to rural regions of the country and provide a high quality of education to our students to make sure they learn the skills and gain the knowledge that will help them break out of the cycle of poverty and secure their future.
Students create start-ups in groups, then transition to individual businesses if appropriate. The school gives students the right tools and experience to overcome small-business barriers in Guinea-Bissau. Development of venture ideas, including demand validation and market research, ensure marketable and successful businesses.
Student projects are funded through our partnerships with international organizations and generous donors like you. The funds are repaid through a perpetual fund that goes toward new projects. Local businessmen with investment capacity are encouraged to invest in our student’s projects to boost the country’s economic growth. We also partner with the Summit Research, Development, and Peacebuilding Center in West Africa.
The school teaches English and business/entrepreneurialism, basic conflict prevention, conflict transformation, peacebuilding, mediation, and reconciliation skills. A focus on gender equality increases opportunities for girls/women to benefit fully from quality training and access to investments.
An important part of our educational program is developing students who are committed to and skilled in the arts of peacebuilding. All of our students, regardless of their age and area of study, are taught, in ways that are woven into our lesson plans across the curriculum, about the dynamics of peace and conflict, peacebuilding and conflict prevention.
This education, which takes place in age-appropriate pedagogies, prepares students to become democratically committed peacebuilding citizens, empowered to transform Guinea-Bissau toward sustainable development, just institutions, democracy, transparency and a better future for all. Skills in deep and careful listening, careful communication, mediation, recognition and employment of fair practices, and many other skills are critical for building a just, peaceful, and prosperous Guinea-Bissau. We draw from the most successful peace education pedagogies and models, and work with peace education experts, for example, with our friends at Education for Global Peace.
The school is dependent on volunteer teachers and donated funds from our partnerships and individuals.
