The purpose:
Associação Kêlê, in São Tomé, works tirelessly to support young people in São Tomé and encourage them to continue their studies, as they work to balance their day-to-day community, family and academic responsibilities. In 2025, OIS began a cultural exchange partnership with them to support their work. Through a competitive application process, the 2026 OIS team was chosen for the inaugural year. The team begin planning in November, and from January through May, the São Tomé and OIS students began to collaborate to build a shared cultural understanding and to improve written and spoken communications skills in English and Portuguese. This year, we want to continue to strengthen the program and involve more of our OIS community.
An overarching goal for OIS and Associação Kêlê is to build cultural understanding, new friendships and an awareness of the cultural similarities and differences. Once the new team is selected, they will begin working immediately to establish synchronous and asynchronous activities on line, and the project culminates in June, with a week-long, face-to-face cultural exchange and English / Portuguese lessons.
A project of this magnitude would not be possible without the support of our local community and major sponsors or partners. The people and organizations here and in São Tomé, have contributed to travel expenses, scholarship funds, materials and services throughout the year. This includes companies and services in São Tomé, who have partnered with us to help meet the needs of Associação Kêlê.
We could use your help, to make it possible for students without the financial means, to participate. Also, when you´re looking for services, or traveling to São Tomé, we hope that you will support the work of these partners and sponsors by supporting their businesses and services.
CORPORATE SPONSORS | ||
(+239) 224 4500 | 
+239 991 3136 | 
+239 992 3517 / 903 3517 |
PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS | ||
ORGANIZATIONAL SPONSORS
| INDIVIDUAL DONORS
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