What We Do
Words Into Deeds Inc provides opportunities for youth to develop their full potential as informed, engaged citizens in their schools, communities, and globally.
Working with teachers and community leaders, using resources such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Sustainable Development Goals as frameworks, we present workshops and offer sustained support for outreach projects tailored for the needs and age-range of each participating group. We also provide scholarships that enable students to continue their education at high-school and vocational school levels.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS FOR EDUCATORS
Words Into Deeds founder Gertrude Noden introducing the Sustainable Development Goals as part of a 2-day interactive Professional Development Workshop for teachers in Gulu, Uganda. Sessions include principles of human rights and strategies for engaging students in outreach projects.
GENDER EQUITY – WASH COMMUNITY PROGRAM IN GULU, UGANDA
Young mothers are receiving 6-month training as tailors, during which they produce reusable menstruation garments that are distributed to local schools, thereby enabling girls to attend school during their periods. Trainees also receive counseling and training in computer literacy and business practices, and upon finishing are supported in establishing sustainable design and production capacity.
CITIZENSHIP WORKSHOP FOR STUDENTS
Students at the UNIFAT Primary School in Gulu, Uganda receive certificates of achievement following a 2-day workshop on how to design and implement community outreach projects.
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMS
Ithaca-area students, community health leaders, and Ithaca Mayor Myrick (upper left) present the results of their year-long Youth Voices on Substance Abuse project at an invited public forum at the United Nations. Each year a different theme based on the Sustainable Development Goals is selected.
BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
Basic computer skills are essential for advanced education and vocations, but are often unavailable. Words Into Deeds provided support to renovate two rooms, purchase 30 laptop computers, hire an IT instructor, and have a solar power system installed at the UNIFAT Primary School in Gulu, Uganda. Now teachers and all grade level students are learning basic computer skills, accessing educational resources, and interacting with global partners.
GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROJECTS
To help students gain effective citizenship skills, Words Into Deeds offers grants of up to $150 to help teachers and students design and implement community outreach projects. At the UNIFAT Primary School, ten projects are currently underway; these include vegetable and tree gardens, bead-making, soap-making, an eNewsletter, and a plastics-to-playground project.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Words Into Deeds awards scholarships to graduating UNIFAT students who participate in outreach projects and whose whose families are unable to meet the cost of enrolling them in high school. You can meet them here.