Voyage
Voyage
Our Journey So Far
Building on experience in order to unlock the infinite potential of every child.
In the final pages of his story, one that lasted more than 50 years and helped thousands of children to break away from poverty, our founder wrote “in the twilight before I sleep, I hope that my life’s work may continue to help with new initiatives”. The last words on that page were lines from his favourite poem by Robert Frost – “I have promises to keep/And miles to go before I sleep”.
…that page has been re-folded into a paper boat that can float on and on under the midnight stars towards a world that unlocks the infinite potential of every child. The same world that our founder had set sail for all those years ago…
The Journey Within
Inspiring children to change their world.
Creative learning spaces give children a chance to learn about their rights and their own inherent value when they may be otherwise surrounded by negative messages. Paper Boat develops and shares tools in collaboration with expert local partners, strategic partners who help to advise and deliver, and our community of educational specialists. Within these learning spaces children can build their confidence, resilience and acceptance of self through creative entry points such as filmmaking, social drama, art, music and storytelling. Every child is supported and encouraged to believe in their own worth and to share their stories and their ideas however they see best.
Paper boats are fragile and need to be folded carefully in order to float, but when they are made, the thumbprints and messages that children place upon those seams can be carried to distant places. Dreams and ideas can also be fragile, especially those of children who face rougher seas than most of us could imagine. We are there to equip, nurture, support, guide and invest in their ideas. To believe in them loudly and encourage them that they too have the right to strive for their dreams and to do things differently, and that they are worthy of being at the helm and can steer towards whatever horizon calls them.
The Journey Beyond
Enabling children to change their world.
Creative learning spaces teach children to be innovative, to problem solve and to navigate the rough seas. Evidence shows that creative and critical thinking skills are an essential part of learning, and that today’s solutions will not be fit for tomorrow’s problems. Paper Boat develops and supports programmes and partners that build these skills as children play.
These spaces encourage children to identify problems in their own communities and work together, with the support of facilitators and community collectives, to bring their own fresh minds and solutions to these problems. Children are given access to platforms that amplify the quietest voices on a global scale and allow others to invest directly in their ideas.