Everychilddeservestolearn,rooted in their own world.
Sankofa brings Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art and Mathematics to underserved communities, taught through daily life, culture and the resources already at hand. Through this work, Sankofa builds trust with the communities it serves — a necessary step in community engagement, and one that is essential to IEEE Smart Village's core mission of Empowerment through Enterprise
Sankofa— an Akan word: “go back and fetch it.” Learning drawn from heritage, built for the future.
14
countries, one mission
Please watch / Regardez (english & français)
TIASSALÉ, CÔTE D'IVOIRE: Citizens Reshaping Democracy — Citoyens Réinventent la Démocratie
Dear Friends, Chers Amis,
On this INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DEMOCRACY, we share a very special encounter from our recent One Home Journey through West Africa.
At a time when democracy is under profound pressure worldwide, the city of Tiassalé in Côte d'Ivoire touched and inspired us.
Under Mayor ASSALÉ Tiémoko and his committed Municipal Council, the city is building what they call a “society of trust” — making citizen participation, transparency and accountability a lived practice.
For the two of us this goes to the core of the One Home Journey's mission: democracy needs to be lived from the ground up — with citizens becoming active co-creators of the places they call home.
That is why we recognised TIASSALÉ as a HOME FOR HUMANITY CITY.
Today we launch our short film about this inspiring city.
Please watch, share — and be inspired.
FROM TRUST COMES PARTICIPATION.
FROM PARTICIPATION COMES RESPONSIBILITY.
FROM RESPONSIBILITY COMES A HOME FOR ALL.
Merci & With love,
Alexander & Rama and the Home for Humanity Team
- 14Countries represented
- STREAMSix learning disciplines
- 5+Pilots planned in 2026
- 1MChildren we aim to reach yearly
What we bring
Sankofa brings STREAM to underserved communities
Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art and Mathematics — taught through daily life, culture and the resources already at hand.
Science
Technology
Reading
Engineering
Art
Mathematics
Through this work, Sankofa builds trust with the communities it serves — a necessary step in community engagement, and one that is essential to IEEE Smart Village's core mission of Empowerment through Enterprise
The idea
Quality learning shouldn't depend on circumstance
Sankofa acts as a catalyst — empowering local mentors to teach STREAM fundamentals using what their communities already have. We honour the past through local knowledge and traditions, while opening doors to the future.
Our vision
Group
The group currently comprises members from 14 countries—India, the USA, 10 from Africa, and 2 from Europe—working within three organizational groups: curricula, documentation and communication, and implementation.
Goal
With help from organizations around the world, we are developing our core framework. To promote cultural, societal and environmental inclusion and sensitivity, we seek to teach STREAM using only what's at hand at the point of delivery—automatically establishing a bi-directional dialog.
Implementation
To further simplify implementation, electronics will play no active role in actual “classes”—reasoning this will compel everyone involved to think through everything thoroughly—ensuring that ideas and concepts are presented clearly and concisely.
Our approach
A way of teaching that any community can begin
Rooted in daily life
Children learn STREAM fundamentals through the flora, fauna, water and food that surround them — concepts that resonate with their culture and context.
Led by local mentors
We empower community mentors to teach with what they already have, building self-reliance rather than dependence on outside resources.
What's at hand
No expensive labs or kits required. Lessons are designed around available, everyday materials so any community can begin.
Shared & improving
Every lesson plan is shared openly, evaluated in the field, and refined together — a living library that grows with each contributor.
What we look for
The outcomes that matter
Success isn't a test score. We look for children who grow in confidence and curiosity — and carry it forward.
In the field
Pilot projects, community by community
Tanzania
Honda
An active pilot bringing STREAM learning to the community, with local teachers leading the way.
India
Sadangi
Working alongside the Aashraa Foundation, which built trust through nutrition kits and health camps before learning began.
Coming soon
New pilots
More communities are joining across Africa and beyond as the network grows through 2026.
What we stand for
The spirit of Sankofa
Help us understand a community
Community surveys are essential to how we plan pilots and seek funding. Identities stay private — we only note a general area.
For Sankofa volunteers
Access shared teaching materials, upload your own lesson ideas, and submit pilot reports through the controlled-access member portal.
Stay connected
Join the Sankofa community
Follow our journey on LinkedIn, and help us reach more communities by taking the survey.