Life International Christian Academy (licacademy.org)

Mission statement: "To provide a high-quality, individualized education rooted in biblical values that prepares students to succeed in today's world while empowering them to achieve their God-given potential."

Vision statement: "To foster a community where students develop a strong sense of identity grounded in their faith, and are equipped to make a positive impact on the world."

Core Values
"LICA is dedicated to instilling Godliness, promoting Excellence, nurturing Responsibility, celebrating Uniqueness, and upholding Integrity in all aspects of our educational program. Through personalized instruction and a commitment to biblical values, we prepare our students to thrive academically, socially, and spiritually in an ever-changing world."

In our organization, the Team Lead role is embodied by our esteemed School Principal, who stands at the forefront of our mission to foster growth and drive our institution towards achieving its vision. With a profound commitment to nurturing our students into individuals who can positively impact their communities, our Principal dedicates herself to steering the school in a direction that aligns with these foundational goals. Her leadership is characterized by a deep-rooted belief in the power of education to transform lives, and she tirelessly works to inspire both staff and students alike. Through strategic planning, empathetic guidance, and unwavering dedication, she ensures that every facet of the school's operations contributes to creating an environment where students are empowered to learn, grow, and ultimately, make meaningful contributions to society. Her role is not just administrative but inspirational, leading by example to instill values of responsibility, kindness, and community service in the heart of our educational philosophy.

Our Team Lead, the School Principal, alongside our dedicated team of educators and support staff, are exceptionally well-positioned to support the LEAP Project, even amidst the multitude of responsibilities inherent in running an educational institution. This alignment is deeply rooted in our organization's mission and vision, which emphasizes community empowerment, educational excellence, and holistic development. Our collective commitment to these principles ensures that the LEAP Project is not seen as an additional burden but as an integral part of our core objectives.

Alignment with Mission and Vision:

The LEAP Project's focus on enhancing educational outcomes through research-driven initiatives directly complements our school's mission to provide quality education and foster a positive impact within our community. By prioritizing this project, we are essentially advancing our foundational goals, making it a natural fit within our array of priorities.

Leveraging Our Community:

Our school is fortunate to have a vibrant community of students, parents, and local stakeholders who are engaged and invested in the success of our initiatives. This community serves as both a support network and a resource pool for the LEAP Project. Through active involvement, feedback, and participation, they contribute to the project's success while also ensuring that its outcomes are relevant and beneficial to their needs and aspirations.

Dedicated Team Structure:

Recognizing the critical importance of the LEAP Project, we have allocated specific roles and responsibilities within our team to ensure its successful execution. This includes dedicated staff members who are tasked with coordinating research activities, managing community engagement, and integrating LEAP Project insights into our programs. This structure allows for focused attention on the project without detracting from the daily operational demands of the school.

Professional Development and Capacity Building:

Our team members view the LEAP Project as an opportunity for professional growth and skill enhancement. By participating in this initiative, they are able to stay abreast of the latest educational research, methodologies, and technologies. This not only benefits the project but also enriches our overall educational offerings, making it a win-win scenario.

Strategic Planning and Time Management:

Effective time management and strategic planning are key to balancing the LEAP Project with other organizational priorities. We have developed a detailed project timeline that aligns with our academic calendar, ensuring that project milestones are met without compromising our educational programs. Regular progress reviews and flexible resource allocation allow us to adapt to emerging needs and opportunities.

In conclusion, our Team Lead and supporting team members are uniquely equipped to champion the LEAP Project, thanks to a shared vision, a strong community foundation, a structured approach to project management, and a culture of continuous learning. These elements, combined with strategic planning and execution, ensure that we can effectively support the LEAP Project while continuing to fulfill our broader educational mission.

Empowering communities through urban farming, economic growth, menstrual health, and education for sustainable, positive change.

LICA is a game-changer in the Rwanda and Africa. We have developed a solution that not only addresses the issue of food security but also provides a sustainable and affordable menstrual hygiene solution for girls and women in developing countries. 

Our core technology lies in the application of sustainable agricultural practices and the production of reusable sanitary pads, which are made from locally sourced, eco-friendly materials. We believe that sustainable agriculture is the key to ensuring food security and promoting environmental sustainability. By leveraging knowledge and evidence-based practices, we maximize crop yields while minimizing environmental impact. Our techniques include crop rotation, natural pest control, and soil conservation methods, which not only improve the yield but also promote the health of the soil. This approach not only ensures food security for communities but also promotes environmental sustainability. In addition to sustainable agriculture, our solution also involves the production of reusable sanitary pads. This is a crucial aspect of our work because millions of girls and women in developing countries lack access to hygienic menstrual hygiene solutions. In many cases, they are forced to use rags, leaves, or even bark, which not only poses a health risk but also affects their education and economic opportunities. By providing a sustainable and affordable menstrual hygiene solution, we can empower girls and women and improve their overall health outcomes. Our reusable sanitary pads are made from locally sourced, eco-friendly materials, which not only reduces waste but also promotes a circular economy. We have adopted innovative design and manufacturing processes to ensure that the pads are durable, comfortable, and easy to use. Furthermore, our solution involves community engagement and education, which helps to break down the cultural taboos around menstruation and promotes gender equality. At LICA, we firmly believe that our solution can make a huge impact in the world. By adopting our approach, we can ensure food security, promote environmental sustainability, and empower women and girls. Our solution not only addresses the immediate needs of communities but also promotes long-term development and growth. We encourage you to join us in this mission towards a more sustainable and equitable world. In conclusion, LICA's solution is a game-changer in the world of agriculture and women's health. Our innovative approach leverages sustainable agricultural practices and the production of reusable sanitary pads to ensure food security, promote environmental sustainability, and empower women and girls.

Life International Christian Academy (LICA’s) takes a unique and holistic approach to school agriculture and reusable pad production. The school offers a solution to pressing challenges in developing countries. LICA's approach integrates agricultural practices into the school curriculum, providing students with practical skills while promoting food security and sustainable farming methods in their communities. This approach not only addresses immediate needs but also instills a long-term mindset of environmental stewardship and self-reliance. 

We produce reusable sanitary pads that empower girls by providing them with a sustainable and cost-effective solution. The problem of food insecurity and malnutrition is a worldwide issue. In many developing countries, agriculture is the primary source of livelihood, and smallholder farmers produce over 80% of the world's food. However, many of these farmers lack access to the knowledge, resources, and markets they need to improve their yields and incomes. Furthermore, many young people are not interested in pursuing agricultural careers, which exacerbates the problem of food insecurity and malnutrition. 

LICA's approach to school agriculture addresses these challenges by integrating agricultural practices into the school curriculum. This approach provides students with practical skills that they can apply in their communities, such as basic farming techniques, composting, and urban gardening. By doing so, LICA promotes food security and sustainable farming methods while instilling a long-term mindset of environmental stewardship and self-reliance. 

LICA also focuses on producing reusable sanitary pads that empower girls. Menstruation is a natural process, but it is still considered taboo. As a result, many girls miss school due to a lack of access to hygienic menstrual products. Disposable pads are expensive, and many girls cannot afford them. LICA's approach to producing reusable sanitary pads addresses this issue by providing girls with a sustainable and cost-effective solution. By equipping girls with the knowledge and tools to produce these pads, LICA ensures their access to hygienic menstrual products and creates economic opportunities within their communities. LICA's approach has the potential to inspire other organizations and communities to adopt similar integrated approaches to address multiple challenges simultaneously, leading to a more sustainable and resilient landscape. By promoting sustainable agriculture and empowering girls, LICA is making a significant contribution to the global effort to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 5 (gender equality), and SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production). In conclusion, LICA's unique and holistic approach to school agriculture and reusable pad production offers a solution to pressing challenges in Rwanda.

Our impact goals for our solution are centered around creating sustainable change in the communities we serve, particularly in the areas of food security, economic empowerment, menstrual hygiene management, and education. In terms of food security, our goal is to increase the availability of nutritious food through urban farming, ultimately reducing food insecurity in our target communities. 

We measure this by tracking the number of urban farms established, the amount of food produced, and the increase in access to fresh produce among community members. Economic empowerment is another key goal, where we aim to provide individuals with the skills and resources to generate income through sustainable agriculture practices. 

We measure this by monitoring the increase in income among participants, the number of new jobs created, and the overall economic impact on the community. For the reusable pads project, our goal is to improve menstrual hygiene management among girls and women, leading to increased school attendance and overall well-being. We measure this by tracking the distribution of reusable pads, changes in menstrual hygiene practices, and school attendance rates among girls. Education is also a focal point, with the goal of improving educational outcomes and promoting lifelong learning. 

We measure this by monitoring school attendance rates, academic performance, and the number of individuals participating in our educational programs. To measure our progress towards these impact goals, we use a combination of quantitative and qualitative indicators. Quantitatively, we track the number of participants in our programs, the outputs of our activities (such as the number of farms established or pads distributed), and the outcomes (such as changes in income or school attendance rates). Qualitatively, we gather feedback from participants and communities to understand the perceived impact of our work and identify areas for improvement. By measuring our progress towards these impact goals, we can ensure that our solution is having a meaningful and sustainable impact on the lives of the people we serve.

The data collected from our comprehensive research and monitoring activities has provided invaluable insights into the effectiveness of our solutions and their impact on the communities we serve. This evidence-based approach has not only affirmed the positive changes our programs have instigated but also informed our strategic decisions moving forward, ensuring our interventions remain relevant, efficient, and impactful.

In the realm of food security, the establishment of urban farms has been a cornerstone of our efforts. Quantitative data revealed a significant increase in the availability of nutritious food, with over 4 urban farms established, yielding approximately 15kgs tons of fresh produce quarterly. This initiative has reduced food insecurity for 5% of our target community members, highlighting the tangible benefits of urban agriculture. The success of these farms has prompted us to expand our training programs on sustainable agricultural practices, aiming to scale up production and engage more community members.

Economic empowerment through sustainable agriculture has also seen promising outcomes. Participants in our programs have reported an average over 10 new jobs created within the community. This economic boost not only supports individual livelihoods but also contributes to the overall economic resilience of the community. The positive feedback and measurable success in income generation have encouraged us to explore additional markets and agricultural products, further diversifying economic opportunities for our participants.

The reusable pads project aimed at improving menstrual hygiene management has had a profound impact on the lives of girls and women in our communities. Our data indicates a distribution of over 100 reusable pads, leading to improved menstrual hygiene practices among 17% of beneficiaries. More importantly, we've observed a notable increase in school attendance rates among girls, with a reduction in absenteeism. This outcome underscores the critical link between menstrual hygiene management and educational attainment. Moving forward, we are committed to expanding the reach of this project, incorporating educational workshops to destigmatize menstrual health, and fostering an environment of support and inclusivity.

In the area of education, our interventions have yielded improvements in school attendance rates and academic performance. Our programs have directly impacted over 120 students, with a 10% increase in school attendance and 80% improvement in academic scores. These findings validate our approach to integrating educational support with our other focus areas, recognizing the interconnectedness of education with food security, economic stability, and health. As we move forward, we are enhancing our educational programs to include more comprehensive support services, such as tutoring and mentorship, aiming to address the diverse needs of students and promote lifelong learning.

The cumulative data from our research and studies have not only validated the positive impact of our solutions but also illuminated areas for enhancement and expansion. Our commitment to ongoing evaluation and adaptation is key to our mission of creating sustainable change, and we remain dedicated to exploring innovative solutions to meet the complex challenges faced by our target populations.

Our organization, at its core an educational institution, is at a critical juncture where bolstering the evidence base for our comprehensive solution—spanning education, urban farming, economic empowerment, and menstrual health management—is imperative. This need arises from an acute awareness that solid, actionable data underpin the effectiveness, scalability, and continued relevance of our interventions in an ever-evolving societal landscape. The pursuit of LEAP is timely for several key reasons.

First, the global emphasis on education as a cornerstone for sustainable development has never been more pronounced. In an era where educational disparities are magnified by socio-economic inequalities and health crises, the demand for impactful, scalable educational interventions is at an all-time high. Strengthening the evidence base of our educational programs, alongside our auxiliary services, positions us to make a significant contribution to reducing these disparities, aligning with global goals for education and empowerment.

Second, the expansion of our interventions to address not just educational outcomes but also ancillary factors like food security, economic stability, and menstrual health reflects a holistic approach to education. These elements are intrinsically linked to educational attainment and quality of life. A LEAP Project at this critical point enables us to assess the cumulative impact of our multi-faceted approach, ensuring that our educational initiatives are supported and enhanced by addressing broader social determinants.

Moreover, the competitive landscape of funding and resource allocation increasingly favors initiatives with clear, evidence-based outcomes. By fortifying our evidence base, we are better equipped to articulate the value and impact of our work to funders and stakeholders, securing the necessary support to broaden our reach and deepen our impact in the communities we serve.

Additionally, committing to a LEAP Project aligns with our organizational ethos of continuous learning and adaptation. This evidence-driven endeavor will allow us to scrutinize our programs' effectiveness, adapt to emerging challenges and needs, and refine our strategies for greater impact. It ensures that our educational and supportive services remain at the forefront of best practices, innovation, and responsiveness to the needs of our community.

In essence, the imperative to engage in a LEAP Project to strengthen our evidence base is driven by the global imperative for quality education, the expansion of our holistic approach to community development, the need for compelling evidence in resource acquisition, and our commitment to excellence and adaptation. Now more than ever, enhancing our understanding of the impacts and interconnections of our interventions is crucial. This process will not only validate the effectiveness of our programs but also guide our future directions, ensuring that education remains a transformative force for the communities we serve.

1) How can technology be leveraged more effectively to enhance teaching outcomes, particularly in adapting to the evolving global educational landscape?

2) What strategies can improve tracking and hygiene practices in menstrual health management for underprivileged communities?
3) Which crops are most suitable for cultivation in limited spaces, such as home gardens, small pieces of land to maximize growth and contribute to healthier meal options and also job creation?

For the 12-week LEAP Project sprint, we aim to harness the expertise and dedication of LEAP Fellows to advance our mission through focused, actionable research. Given the limited timeframe and the Fellows' capacity, our desired outputs are meticulously designed to maximize impact, feasibility, and applicability to our overarching goals. These outputs will encompass both formative and summative research approaches, tailored to inform and refine our strategies for enhanced educational outcomes, menstrual health management, and urban farming initiatives.

Formative Research Outputs:

1. Usability Studies and User Interviews: We seek to develop a comprehensive understanding of how technology can be integrated more effectively into our teaching methods. Outputs will include detailed study designs and recommendations for technology platforms that are both accessible and impactful for our target populations. Additionally, insights from user interviews will highlight preferences, barriers, and facilitators to technology use in education, guiding the adaptation of our digital tools.

2. Feasibility Studies and Implementation Studies for Menstrual Health Initiatives: Outputs will focus on identifying scalable and sustainable strategies for improving menstrual health management in underprivileged communities. This will include frameworks for community engagement, education, and the distribution of reusable menstrual products, with an emphasis on hygiene, accessibility, and cultural sensitivity.

3. Process Evaluations for Urban Farming: We aim to generate frameworks that assess the implementation processes of urban farming projects in small spaces. This includes identifying best practices for crop selection, cultivation techniques, and integration into the community's dietary practices. The goal is to outline strategies that maximize health benefits and food security, contributing to healthier meal options.

Summative Research Outputs:

1. Impact Evaluations of Educational Programs: Through correlational and quasi-experimental studies, we intend to measure the effectiveness of integrating technology in education on student learning outcomes. This will provide evidence-based recommendations for enhancing our educational strategies, ensuring they are aligned with best practices for digital learning.

2. Correlational Studies on Menstrual Health Management: Summative research will assess the impact of our menstrual health initiatives on school attendance and hygiene practices. By examining correlations between program participation and these outcomes, we will refine our approaches to ensure they effectively address the needs and challenges of underprivileged communities.

3. The third initiative focuses on evaluating the impact of urban farming on food security and nutritional outcomes. This involves studying how home-garden crop cultivation affects family diets and overall community health. The goal is to develop study designs and evaluation tools that can accurately measure the benefits of urban farming.

These outputs, will be generated through the dedicated efforts of the LEAP Fellows, will be instrumental in enhancing our understanding of the complex dynamics within our target areas. They will provide a solid foundation for scaling our interventions, securing additional funding, and ultimately achieving our mission of fostering sustainable, positive change in the communities we serve.

Upon the conclusion of the LEAP Project sprint, our organization plans to meticulously analyze and integrate the findings and recommendations into our operational and strategic frameworks, with a particular emphasis on enhancing our educational initiatives. Recognizing the multifaceted nature of our mission, we intend to employ a holistic approach to implementation, ensuring that education remains at the forefront while also addressing the interconnectedness of our various non-profit school initiatives, such as urban farming, economic empowerment, and menstrual health management.

For Education:

1. Integrating Technology: The insights from usability studies and user interviews will guide the development and refinement of our digital learning platforms. We will prioritize the adoption of recommended technologies that are shown to enhance teaching effectiveness and student engagement. This may involve training teachers in new digital tools, integrating adaptive learning software, and optimizing our curriculum to leverage technology in classrooms.

2. Curriculum Development: The findings from impact evaluations of our educational programs will inform curriculum adjustments and teaching methodologies. By understanding what works, we can tailor our educational content and delivery methods to better meet the learning needs and preferences of our students, ensuring that our education programs are both impactful and inclusive.

For Non-Profit School Initiatives:

1. Menstrual Health Management: With feasibility and implementation studies guiding us, we plan to expand and refine our menstrual health initiatives. This could involve launching community workshops, enhancing distribution networks for reusable menstrual products, and integrating menstrual health education into the school curriculum, aiming to reduce absenteeism and promote gender equality in education.

2. Urban Farming: Process evaluations will inform the expansion of our urban farming projects. We'll adopt best practices for crop selection and cultivation in small spaces, aiming to integrate these activities more closely with educational programs on nutrition and environmental stewardship. This initiative not only supports food security but also serves as a practical learning tool for students, teaching them valuable skills in sustainability.

Implementation and Scaling:

Pilot Programs: Based on the LEAP Project's outputs, we will initiate pilot programs for the most promising interventions, carefully monitoring their impact and feasibility for broader implementation.
Stakeholder Engagement: We will actively engage with parents, teachers, and community members to gather feedback and foster collaboration, ensuring that our initiatives are community-driven and aligned with local needs.
Continuous Learning and Adaptation: The organization commits to an ongoing process of evaluation and adaptation, using the LEAP Project's outputs as a foundation for continuous improvement. This includes regular monitoring of program outcomes, stakeholder feedback, and adjusting strategies in response to evolving educational and community needs.

In essence, the outputs from the LEAP Project will serve as a critical catalyst for innovation and improvement across our educational and community initiatives. By putting these insights into action, we aim to enhance the quality and impact of our education programs, ensuring they remain responsive to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, while also advancing our broader mission of fostering sustainable, positive change in the communities we serve.

The 12-week LEAP Project sprint is envisioned as a catalyst for significant, long-term change within our school and the broader communities we aim to serve. The desired outcomes of this intensive research and development phase are multifaceted, reflecting our commitment to education as the cornerstone of our mission while also acknowledging the importance of our non-profit initiatives in health, economic empowerment, and sustainable agriculture. These outcomes are structured to lay a foundation for the expansion of our impact, from local to regional, and ultimately, across Africa.

For the School:

1. Enhanced Educational Practices: The primary outcome for our school is the integration of evidence-based, technology-enhanced teaching methodologies that directly respond to the evolving needs of our students and the global educational landscape. We anticipate a measurable improvement in student engagement, learning outcomes, and digital literacy, preparing them for success in a technologically advanced society.

2. Increased Capacity for Sustainable Initiatives: As a result of the LEAP Project, we aim to establish a blueprint for sustainable, community-supported educational programs. This includes not only the academic curriculum but also initiatives that foster environmental stewardship, health awareness, and social responsibility among our students.

3. Foundation for Continuous Improvement: The insights gained from the LEAP Project will enable us to implement a cycle of continuous feedback and adaptation within our educational programs, ensuring they remain relevant, impactful, and aligned with best practices.

For the Non-Profit Arm:

1. Scalable Models for Community Empowerment: The long-term goal for our non-profit initiatives is to develop scalable, replicable models that address key community challenges—food security, menstrual health, and economic empowerment. These models will be designed for adaptability, allowing for their tailored application within different contexts across Rwanda, East Africa, and eventually, the African continent.

2. Establishment of a Regional Network: Through the actionable insights and frameworks developed during the LEAP Project, we aim to lay the groundwork for a regional network of partners, stakeholders, and communities. This network will facilitate the sharing of knowledge, resources, and best practices, amplifying the impact of our solutions across borders.

3. Evidence-based Policy Advocacy: Armed with robust data and proven strategies, our organization plans to engage in policy advocacy, aiming to influence educational and development policies at local, national, and regional levels. By demonstrating the effectiveness of our approaches, we aspire to contribute to policy changes that support sustainable development, education reform, and community empowerment.

In summary, the desired long-term outcomes of the LEAP Project sprint encompass not only the immediate enhancement of our educational practices but also the strategic expansion of our non-profit initiatives. Through evidence-based approaches, continuous innovation, and regional collaboration, we aim to create a lasting impact that transcends geographical boundaries, contributing to a more equitable, educated, and empowered Africa.