Education. The true way out of poverty.
“The Best Anti-Poverty Program is a World-Class Education”
— Barack Obama
KSP Pages Cover - About.png
 

The Story

The Karat School Project was founded by Evelyne Keoman in November 2017. Evelyne was born and raised in Ivory Coast, West Africa. She had limited opportunities for education and became a teen mom at the age of 16. From early childhood, she understood first-hand, what it meant to live in poverty, go hungry and be unable to go to school. She recognized early on that without a good education her options would be limited. Evelyne taught herself how to read and, when she had finally reached the reading level that allowed her to attend school, she sold cold water at the market to pay her tuition. Later, after having her son, she went on to attend night school.

At the age of 26 she moved with her young son to the United States, in hope of a better future for both of them. Her very first task was to gain an education that would allow her to integrate into society. Today, Evelyne holds a bachelor’s in psychology and hopes to obtain her master’s degree in special education. Her son is currently attending college.

By U.S. standards, Evelyne is a low-income single mother. Even so, she has financed herself most of the KSP fundraising efforts. She is on a mission to give back to her community and become the help she wished she had when she was younger. She wants to make sure that children - particularly girls, get a chance at a quality education for a better life and future. She wants to ensure that children are not on the street working for meals instead of attending school and putting their lives at risk of being raped and/or kidnapped by local black-market organizations.

The women in the community, including widows, single mothers, and young girls have been a focus of KSP’s community outreach program. Evelyne’s passion is to educate women to empower them, bring them to literacy and financial stability, so that they, in return, can raise tomorrow’s generation of next leaders.

Our Mission

Educate children and women by utilizing a culturally-relevant, dynamic syllabus and new technologies, and enable them to have a lifelong love of learning

Empower those in extreme poverty to reach their full potential

Invest in local communities by delivering supplies and nutritious meals - allowing students and their families to focus on learning

Eradicate the cycle of poverty by providing valuable education and making a sustainable change in people’s lives

The Vision

To provide a skills-based education to children and women living in extreme poverty, and to help break the cycle of poverty and inequality sustainably now and for generations to come.

 

Our Core Values

EDUCATION

  • Every child is a diamond in the rough, give them equal chances

  • Ensure that all children, especially girls, have equal access to culturally-relevant, yet modernized, education

  • Instill the love of learning that will last a lifetime.

  • Educate mothers as they raise the next generation of leaders

WOMEN

  • Empower them as leaders today so they can raise the leaders of tomorrow

  • Engage them in skills and financial literacy training that will lead to sustainable independence

  • Build human capacity in the community

  • Invest in their preventative health education to ensure a healthy family and community

BELIEF

  • Be a blessing and share the love

  • Address communities’ urgent needs such as daily meals and clean water to enable people to focus on their future

  • Invest in community-centered philanthropy by putting human needs at the center of our programs

  • Real love is experienced through actions, not just words

  • Generosity is an overflow of the heart, not an act out of an abundance of wealth

Our Team

Founder & Advisory Board

At the age of 26 she moved with her young son to the United States, in hope of a better future for both of them. Her very first task was to gain an education that will allow her to integrate society. Today, Evelyne holds a bachelor’s in psychology and hopes to obtain her master’s degree in special education. Her son is currently attending college.

By U.S. standards, Evelyne is a low-income single mother. Even so, she has financed herself most of the KSP fundraising efforts. She is on a mission to give back to her community, and become the help she wished she had when she was younger.

My name is Natalie Heerema. I have had an interest in spending time on the African continent since I was a very young woman. When I was in college, I planned to join the Peace Corps and was hoping to serve in West Africa. I majored in Women's Studies and what was at the time called Third World Studies. My particular area of focus was on West Africa and the African Diaspora. When I had the medical exam for the Peace Corps, I was recovering from a bad case of bronchitis. I failed the lung capacity exam. I was told I could wait and reapply. However, my life took me in a different direction. I had my daughter when I was 23 years old and motherhood became my main focus until a couple of years ago (Aminata is now 21 years old). When I met Evelyne, I knew immediately that I wanted to get involved with KSP. I have a particular interest in traveling to the Ivory Coast and supporting KSP in its goals of educating girls. I also want to help provide the tools for women to be more financially independent in order to provide for their families so that their children can stay in school. I am interested in sustainable agriculture methods for their long term benefits to the planet and the economic benefit to the people who practice these methods.

Marie-Yvette Guy-Tiéoulou is a PhD candidate in sociology and Economy at University Felix Houphouet Boigny of Abidjan. With a Master in Sociology, Mrs Guy-Tieulou has been leading our Ivory Coast team as the director of the Karat School Project Yopougon, Allokoi campus since September 2019. She transitioned from her position as a community outreach director for the KSP into this new role where she gets to oversee all levels of operations including our women’s programs. Before joining us she worked at Orange, Cote D’Ivoire.

She is a mother to an amazing young girl, passionate about girls’ education, and enjoys creating programs to improve women’s life quality.

Judy Kramer has had a longtime interest in international issues regarding women and children. She attended the 4th UN Conference on Women in China in 1995 and spoke locally about her experiences. In 2014-15, she was West Coast coordinator of the Eliminate Project, a KIwanis/UNICEF campaign to eliminate the tetanus that kills newborns and mothers in the developing world. She has long supported the Global Fund for Women and was Board President of the YWCA of the Mid-Peninsula. In her local life, she is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Palo Alto and a nature photographer based at Gallery House in Palo Alto.

Grace is an international development consultant who joined the Karat School Project team. With a Bachelor of international development and policy, she has gained experience in monitoring and evaluating the sustainability of programs with different organizations working in Kenya, Ghana, and in her home country of Ivory Coast. She believes the Karat School is a labor of love and aspires to live in a world where every child can be empowered with a great education.

Ivory Coast

Marina is child number 6 in a family of 7. Just like her sister Evelyne, Marina had to pay her way through school because as a girl her father thought it will be a waste of money to pay for her education. She put herself in secretary school. She later used that skill to land a position with the UN during the civil war.

As a mother of three young children and as a girl who once was not given a chance to a better future she was happy to join and make a difference when her sister asked her to help. Now she directs the weekly reading and writing programs of the Karat School Project. She said there is no greater joy than to see children learn their first letters and see door of possibilities open for them.

As one the staffs who is wearing multiple hats, Diane comes to us with background in HR and Communication. She Currently our administrative assistant and Teaches in our 1st Grade classroom. She enjoys traveling to new destinations.

With a BA in Sociology from Universite Felix Houphouet Boigny of Abidjan, Teacher Cedrick has been wearing multiple hats with the KSP since inception.

From computer skill classes, to English lessons, to PE classes, to assisting with administrative task, Cedrick has steeped in a leadership role to help improve and empower the community.

Gisele was born in an extremely poor family in the Ivory Coast and never went to school because she was a girl. Later on in life she put herself through beauty school to make a living for herself and her family. As a mother of 3 children she has managed to open two small businesses that she is successfully running.

She has one beauty salon and one yogurt manufacturing business where she employs other illiterate women to help them provide for their family. When she is not running her production operation Gisele is in church teaching young children the basics of reading which she taught to herself.

Teacher Togba is a widow and mother of 5 children, She has been teaching for 15 years and has been a head teacher the KSP since 2018. In addition to spending her time with the children, she is involved in the KSP Women’s Program and help council and support widows in the community. She is passionate about travelling and cooking.

Léonie Vanh is the cook, who also teaches cooking and baking to the KSP children. She enjoys cooking, baking, culinary exploration and discovery, and listening to music.

Cyrille Keïpo is the teacher of the 3rd grade class (CE2). He has a high school diploma (baccalaureate) and a degree in computer science. He likes sports, especially soccer, likes to travel a lot but above all he likes the calm and peaceful life of the village.

Marie Chantal studied human resources and communication for two years before becoming the kindergarten teacher. Mother of 3 wonderful girls, she is passionate about prayer, reading and music.

Beyond her middle school certification, Gwladys Beba holds a general education teaching degree. She teaches in our 1st grade class. She is passionate about swimming, sports and traveling.

Esraa is an Egyptian medical student and also a freelance graphic designer. She uses her skills in painting and graphics to raise money to study medicine abroad. Her dream is to become a good surgeon.  When she volunteered with the KSP, she was so happy, because she was able to use her skills to help the world community. She believed in the KSP’s mission to educate girls and women, because she can relate to the obstacles many girls face in getting a good education. She’ll always be proud to be even a small part of the KSP.

Esraa is an Egyptian medical student and also a freelance graphic designer. She uses her skills in painting and graphics to raise money to study medicine abroad. Her dream is to become a good surgeon.  

When she volunteered with the KSP, she was so happy, because she was able to use her skills to help the world community. She believed in the KSP’s mission to educate girls and women, because she can relate to the obstacles many girls face in getting a good education. She’ll always be proud to be even a small part of the KSP.

Teacher Jocelyne, is an avid cook with an outstanding singing voice. She has been putting all these skills at the service of the KSP children since 2018. From overseeing menu to ensure that children are being served nutritious meals, to music lessons, and cooking classes, Jocelyne has been enjoying putting her training and skills available to the community.

USA

Cindy comes to KSP with a diverse background in operations, development and marketing in tech, finance and nonprofit organizations, most recently as the communications manager at the Woodside Village Church and Hub. She studied music at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and creative writing at City University in New York, later working as an English teacher in Spain and Morocco. She moved to California in 2005, where she raised her daughter Naomi.

Cindy’s passions include sustainability and social justice, singing with the San Jose Symphonic Choir, playing piano, cycling, hiking and traveling. She is grateful for the opportunity to leverage her skills and experience to further the vision and goals of this wonderful org. 

Michel-Ange is currently in his third year at Stonehill College, majoring in Criminology with a double minor in Sociology and German. He is the Volunteer Coordinator at the KSP and is keen on reaching out to out those willing to help the cause. He believes education is a human right and an invaluable tool in creating a brighter future. He is passionate about the work KSP does because it will contribute to the development of the Ivorian future: “within each student, I see is an ingenuity waiting to be awakened, a heart eager to learn and grow, and the future of our nation.”

Jeannie is a Web Designer who is passionate about leveraging design to make the world a better place. She manages the website and social media accounts for The KSP as well as other clients.

Maya is an Ivorian native who has been living in Texas for the past 10 years. She has a background in marketing,business and economics. She studied Marketing and business at Hult International business school and economics at the University of Houston.

Maya is passionate about helping people since she was a kid, and hope that her contribution in this organization will make a difference in the world. 

She enjoys travelling,swimming, movies, music, photography and spending quality time with her friends and family.

Amanda is a Dartmouth student who is passionate about leveraging design to make the world a better place. She brings her public relations and crowdfunding experience to the KSP table. On the weekends, catch her swing dancing, falling asleep reading nonfiction books, or making art.

Erika is a social worker by training with over ten years of experience in the nonprofit and social services sector. She has worked directly with various underserved communities as a mentor, wilderness therapist, case manager, and community development volunteer as well as more indirectly through program design and development, advising, grant writing, and other "macro" social work roles. Along with a master’s in social work, Erika holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy with a minor in professional writing for civic engagement and she has had the privilege of traveling, studying, and/or working in 15 countries. She enjoys being able to combine her passions for women rights, homeless advocacy, and international social work with her love of writing in her role as KSP’s lead grant writer. In her free time, Erika can be found curled up with a good book at home, taking a yoga class, or planning her next travel adventure.

Barbara has been volunteering with the KSP since early 2020. She works with the grant team and helps out with whatever else is needed, from planning and budgeting to food card distributions and events in the RV community.  

Barbara recently retired from her work as a technical communications consultant.  She enjoys hiking, reading, exploring ideas, and spending time with her grandson. She sees herself as a bridge builder in the local community and beyond, helping to bridge differences and bring people closer together. 

Anais Sahores is a French native who has spent the last 18 months in the United States as an au pair. She has a degree in law, focusing on human rights, and is looking forward to pursuing her masters in business management when she returns to France…

Anais Sahores is a French native who has spent the last 18 months in the United States as an au pair. She has a degree in law, focusing on human rights, and is looking forward to pursuing her masters in business management when she returns to France. Anais is excited to put her French and English language skills to use volunteering to translate materials for KSP and to help as much as she can. Anais enjoys spending time outdoors, being active, seeing friends, learning news things and exploring the world.

Rachel is a marketing consultant with rich experiences in consumer-packaged goods, hi-tech and consulting industries across various categories and global markets.

She believes that the Karat School Project is doing wonderful things to improve the life of kids and their families in Ivory Coast with a sustainable approach-EDUCATION. She helps the organization to develop some marketing materials to reach potential sponsors and advises on how to improve branding and sponsor experience.

Rachel is a strong believer of an old Chinese saying- Investing in education of young children and spending quality time with senior people are most rewarding for those who would like to make a difference to our world!

Fear Not

UPCOMING SCREENINGS

TBD

 
 
 
 
 

Fear Not explores a passionate grassroots changemaker, THE ksp’s founder Evelyne Keomian, in her quest to break the cycle of poverty through education for her communities  in Ivory Coast and Silicon Valley.

 

Growing up impoverished in the Ivory Coast, Evelyne Keomian was deprived of education and slipped into schools in a culture where only boys were educated. Determined to break the cycle of poverty through education, she founded the Karat School Project (KSP) in the Ivory Coast to empower the next generation of leaders.

After immigrating to the US, she notices families living in vehicles around Silicon Valley who face barriers she once endured. Refusing to be a bystander, Evelyne expands the KSP to educate and empower families to become financially independent.

Challenging the education system to help kids without a permanent address to register for school, Evelyne must now prioritize addressing poverty and barriers to education in her home country, and in her new community.

 

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We believe the power of storytelling can spark social advocacy, and move viewers to create positive change in their own communities. By screening FEAR NOT, we also aim to support the work by Evelyne Keomian and bring support to the organization she founded, The Karat School Project (KSP). Donating to KSP will support a child's education and families facing poverty and displacement.

 
 
 

At Splicer Films, our mission is to tell stories of purpose and impact that are the catalyst for positive change. Our team is passionate about filmmaking, storytelling, informing, and inspiring audiences to create a better world.