The purpose:

Associação Kêlê, in São Tomé, works endlessly to support young people in São Tomé as they work to balance their day-to-day community, family and academic responsibilities. In 2025, OIS began a partnership with them as a cultural exchange and to support their work. Through a competitive application process, a new OIS team is chosen to participate each year. They begin planning in November, and from January through May, the São Tomé and OIS students collaborate to build a shared cultural understanding and to improve written and spoken communications skills in English and Portuguese,

For both groups, an overarching goal is to build cultural understanding, new friendships and an awareness of the cultural similarities and differences. In June, this project culminates in a week-long, face-to-face cultural exchange and English / Portuguese lessons.

As you can imagine, the needs of the children and the associação are great and while our students do everything possible to support that, there is a real need for help with many things.

Here are some ways you can help sponsor the project and the work of Associação Kêlê:

Em Português

In English

As an individual or family of an OIS student, you can:

  • Encourage your child to participate during years 10-12.
  • Help us network with community and corporate leaders for support.
  • Help with funding or donations of needed items. See the current list here.
  • Contribute to a scholarship fund for OIS students who are selected for the team.

As a Corporate leader you can become a partner with us:

  • Help cover the costs of international and local transportation, lodging and meals.
  • Help to underwrite the costs of materials, printing, shipping and communications.
  • Help with OIS team travel costs.
  • Provide donations of needed items and cover shipping costs.
  • Contribute to a scholarship fund for OIS students who are selected for the team.
  • Contribute to identified needs of Associação Kêlê See the current list here.

Note: You should consult your tax advisors for clarification, but any contributions you make should be tax deductable and we can provide a receipt from the school.

Please be sure to check out our SPONSORS & PARTNER´S PAGE. Let them know you appreciate their contribution by supporting them so they can continue to support this project.

If you have other ideas for how you might be able to help support the program, we want to hear from you. click the email link above to contact the project coordinators.

Thank you for your interest!