Be the Change Colleges
Giving student teachers a unique self-reflective experience of working with marginalised children in N. Ireland and India.
Be the Change Colleges
Saphara provides unique opportunities for student teachers at Stranmillis and St Mary’s University Colleges to enhance their professional skills and gain vital collaborative experience in working with marginalised children in Northern Ireland and India.
In March 2023, we were excited to send the first College team to teach disadvantaged children in India since the pandemic. Twelve third year students from Stranmillis and St Mary’s had a life-changing experience at SNEHA School. Find out more here.
Our new Be the Change College programme focuses on children living in disadvantaged communities here in Northern Ireland, specifically newcomer refugee children attending primary schools in areas of social deprivation. Saphara Newcomer Welcome Week gives second year students the opportunity to work with and learn from these children, equipping them for the increasingly diverse classes they will teach in the future.
Robbie Meredith from the BBC came to hear all about it.
“To say [Be the Change week] was an eyeopener would be an understatement. The children that you work with are among the most caring, funny and gracious children that I’ve ever come across… the week of planning, delivering and reflection that we took part in was an opportunity to gain invaluable experiences and develop transferrable skills that will be great and useful in many situations”- Clodagh, St Mary’s College
“The planning was so much fun, working with St Mary’s and Stranmillis together…. When I look back on Be the Change Week I take away many things, but through my personal reflection I realised one thing. The ability and willingness to hand control over to the children … is most successful in delivering a programme like this.”- Jordan, Stranmillis College
“Thank you to the helpers in the Giraffes group. You have made me very confident. Next time someone bullies me I will be confident because you taught me.” -Ahmed, St Paul’s PS
“My children are loving making friends with the children from St Paul's. We are so pleased that Saphara is providing this Shared Education experience."- Mrs Brown, Fane Street PS
Click on the icons below to hear about Newcomer Welcome Week from the students and teachers involved!
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Saphara believes that every child is of immense value and worth and that education is key to enabling disadvantaged youth to overcome poverty. The charity focuses on educational projects which build capacity, and strategic interventions which empower young people. Saphara works in partnership with local schools and NGOs that can demonstrate buy-in and ownership from local communities. These are uniquely placed to effect long-term and sustainable change.
Our Programmes
SAPHARA
Be the Change Schools
Each year we partner with secondary schools across NI to deliver Be the Change Award to 150 sixth-form students.
SAPHARA
Be the Change India
We partner with schools and NGOs in India to support their vital work providing education for all.
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Be the Change Girls
There are 15 million girls worldwide who are never expected to enrol in school. We want to change that.
Latest News
Saphara in 2024
At Saphara we are passionate about the power of education to transform lives.
In India we work with some extremely poor and marginalised children and see how the education they receive at our partner schools is bringing powerful change into their lives.
Donate to our Christmas Gifts Appeal 2023
At Saphara we are passionate about the power of education to transform lives.
In India we work with some extremely poor and marginalised children and see how the education they receive at our partner schools is bringing powerful change into their lives.
Colleges India Team 2023
The first Saphara College team since 2019 began their India experience with a wonderful day in Delhi. Clothes shopping was followed by a relaxing and