Education - mentorship - communication - laughter
Contribute now to veronica’s canadian college fund:
Collectively we raised enough for 1st years tuition in 2022! We are still patiently await to hear new about her VISA. Currently in entering the winter of 2024 we are seeking contribution towards Veronicas travel to Canada and first year which is over $8k. We are far from our goal, however hopeful we will reach it in time.
Needs: Dorm fees, Computer, Books, canadian phone, Clothing, Food, Transportation.
Nov 2023 Update:
Hannah our other student is currently enrolled in school and just paid her next semester thanks to a generous donation. If you feel called to contribute next semesters schooling, please feel free to ask any questions. Next tuition is due in January $500.
James, one of our students, still lives in a refugee settlement. He has attended school to learn sewing, house building, engineering, mechanics, and car repair.
He currently has a sewing machine and can sew women’s and mens wear. He also builds bricks and sells them. With our support over the years, he has gained many different job opportunities. We are currently seeking contributions towards his first phone. He is hoping with this communication it can help him with more job opportunities.
Without our sponsorship, their future is uncertain and unimaginable. Thanks to your financial contributions. In the year, all three of our students were able to continue their education and live a fulfilling life. All donations truly make a difference. Thank you once again for your kindness.
your IMPACt
Hello Global Family. My name is Andriana Santiago, the founder of EMCL, an Education, Mentorship, Communication & Laughter inspired life empowerment program that organizes workshops, and matches students with sponsors and mentors. Since 2014, I've been developing workshops that inspire play, laughter and communication.
In 2017 via group chats, I joined a team of educators in Uganda to collaborate on ideas for activities to share during their peace club meetings with students. In 2018 I traveled to visit these schools and various other learning centers to share these workshops in person.
I also brought and supplied materials (guitar, keyboard, interface, microphone, stands, cables and more) to a recording studio, where peace inspired songs were written and recorded by local musicians and youth. (Listen Here).
It is during this trip that I got to know the South Sudanese refugee students whose well being and education I currently oversee. They have become like family to me and I love them so much. In the past year, financial contributions enrolled them all back in school! Horray! This has inspired an incredible sense of security as they continue to deal with the repercussions of war and being displaced to Uganda. All students have received excellent grades in 2019 & 2020 and have a curiosity in learning and experiencing all that life has to offer.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for anything you have already contributed and for any contributions you can offer at this time. Please pass the message on to others as well!
With Love, Andriana Santiago
EMCL Collective
“I’ve created EMCL Collective to share what I’ve been doing in hopes to create a support system, a collective, of individuals who want to be a part of empowering some incredible human beings who would otherwise have no chance at higher education.” ~Andriana
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Education
EMCL focuses on investing in the whole student instead of only their academic success. EMCL provides financial support for tuition, internships, housing, food, clothing, sickness, and extracurricular activities (for mental health such as the arts, sports, entertainment, museums). Every few weeks students begin new types of learning ideas.
M
MentorshiP
Mentorship Programs are designed to guide the student in all areas of life & help them become a well respected, & contributing member of their community & nation.Mentors share educational materials with students (audio/ video/ text) then schedule a phone, video or audio message discussion times throughout the mentorship period.
C
Communication
Build character & leadership/teamwork: Students begin to explore the practice of communicating with empathy & compassion, positive linguistics & empowerment with many lessons inspired by Marshall Rosenberg & Thom Bond. They learn Andriana’s Workshops and share them with others at school and their community.
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Laughter
Joyful living and community. Students become team builders, confident public speakers, learn to lead groups in laughter exercises, improv comedy games that build foundations for joyful interaction. This can make all the difference in their life.
A message from an EMCL mentor and contributor:
"In many refugee aid programs, you will see videos of kids and families that are devastated and in need of support. At EMCL, you will see people smiling, laughing, and playing through a series of empowerment and communication workshops. All the while, EMCL is aiding in the building of wells, bringing eco friendly menstrual products to refugees, and supporting the livelihoods of some truly wonderful humans. I have witnessed the work, the full heart, and the thoroughness that has gone into the creation of this programming, and I love supporting it. If you know Andriana, you know that the work you are supporting is impactful beyond measure, because there is so much devotion and detail going into it. A little goes a long way, and anything that you share is so much appreciated. -Emily"
Thank you for whatever you can offer EMCL for 2023.”
The founder of EMCL
Andriana started the EMCL Collective org with the noble vision of empowering young refugee women to thrive by providing them with educational opportunities, mentoring support, and fostering healthy communication and overall well-being. She is passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of these young individuals, by supporting them through education, and ensuring they receive all the necessary tools to build a brighter future and continue their education despite the hardships they have faced. Additionally, we firmly believe in the healing power of laughter and strive to integrate it into our programs, as it has proven to enhance emotional well-being and create a positive environment for learning and growth. By fostering a sense of community, resilience, and empowerment, the EMCL Collective aims to create a strong support system for student refugees, enabling them to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential.
EMCL WORKSHOPS
“Andriana develops life empowering workshops, rooted in communication, laughter and empowerment. Workshops are shared internationally with educators and students in person and digitally.”
EMCL Timeline:
Jan 2014-present: I begin to create and share various types of workshops on how improv comedy and laughter relate to life, communication and empowerment.
Nov 2017: I was invited to work with educators at a school in Uganda on various ideas for activities to share with their Peace Club members. Group games and projects empowered peace of mind, team building, conflict resolution, peace language, laughter for no reason, listening, acknowledging, positive linguistics, and nonviolent communication and peace journalism.
January 2018: Raised money to install a well at a school.
February 2018: I am introduced to student A, the former vice president of the peace club to begin assisting me in plans for my solo trip to Uganda. She’d eventually spend 3 weeks with me as my translator and human resource individual. I eventually found out that she could not complete Senior 5 and 6 because her sponsor went missing in South Sudan. I began to seek a sponsorship opportunity for her to complete Certificate, so she can enter College.
March 2018: Found Student A a sponsor for graduation certificate.
April-May 2018: Traveled to Uganda independently to share workshops in Laughter Wellness and Nonviolent communication with students and teachers at various schools and community centers. Donated tablets and audio players filled with audiobooks/videos along with feminine hygiene packages including with menstrual cups and reusable pads.
June 2018: Before returning I wanted to be sure Student A was organized to begin school ASAP. We visited and applied to colleges, choose a school, found housing, and got supplies such as phone for internet research studies, computer, bed, table, dresser, water jugs, filter, food, etc.
August 2018: I Began Sponsoring Student A’s younger brother Student B, who was foraging vegetables in the early AM to sell at the market, to make money for part time evening schooling. We enrolled him in a full time grammar school with dorm, hot meals, fresh water, a place to wash, do laundry, sports, create friendships, and enjoy celebration events.
June 2019: Student B graduates Grammer School and is off to Secondary School!
December 2019: Everyone moved under one roof as a family to create a home where they can support one another, have meals together and share life. It is a milestone, as its their 1st time having amenities such as an indoor bathroom, sink, shower, toilet, and a kitchen with a sink.
February 2020: Students begin the school year. student C gets malaria and typhoid.
April 2020: Student A begins internship 7 hours from home and gets stuck because of Covid 19 for 3 months, unable to return home. Student B and C also stop school because of covid 19 and school is postponed.
July 2020: Student A returns home and all students begin to study for the returning to school.
September 2020: Students return to school for 2 months and take finals.
November 2020: Student B begins computer course and learns how to send emails, type documents and search the internet.
December 2020: Students A begins to explore hospitals for a 6 month internship to graduate with her a public health certificate to then go on to college. Students B graduates from computer course and spends holidays with uncle in refugee camp. Student C has an ear surgery.
January 2021: Student A prepares to internship at a hospital (needs donations for PPE).
February 2021: Student B begins school to become a mechanic! Student A begins her diploma program. Student C begins year 2 of college.
March 2021-March 2022: your financial contributions have enrolled all 3 of our studentsback in school for 2022 semesters and have truly made an impact.
May 2023: Student A has applied to a Canadian college and has been accepted. We have begin fundraising for her tuition, flight and $$ for the year. She has distant family she will be staying with in the meantime. We are so excited and ask for your contribution to our fundraiser. Veronica's College GoFundMe
Become a monthly contributor
or share a one time donation
Recurring Monthly Donations of $10/20/$$$
Single/Annual Donations (Link)
Create introduction to companies and philanthropists for student sponsorship opportunities.
Help us meet our annual fundraiser
Host a Fundraising event or lets collaborate on one
Personally fundraise (in person/email/text/messenger from family and friends) for a week.
Hire us to teach our Laughter or Communication workshops (Kids, Adults, Office, Families, Couples, Parties, Festivals)
Invite us to speak about the impact positive communication and laughter has on creating peace all around us.
Choose EMCL to be your charity of choice for proceeds % for your company, holiday, birthday, or work events.
Become a mentor (ask us how!)
