Programs
Colors of Kindness
How Colors of Kindness started, HEA COVID-19 Challenge
In early June UNHCR teamed up with the EdTech Hub, mEducation Alliance, Global Innovation Exchange (GIE) and ECW to open a specific Refugee Sub-window to the recent EdTech call — in order to respond to the learning emergency caused by COVID-19 school closures.
From over 80 applicants, Amal Alliance was selected as one of the 3 finalists to design an education in emergency prototype!
Colors of Kindness is Amal Alliance’s Multi-Award Winning innovative EdTech solution that aims to:
⁕ Improve children’s social and emotional skills.
⁕ Increase the overall wellbeing of children and their caregivers.
⁕ Increase access to inclusive education.
⁕ Support equitable access to holistic education and social inclusion. Initially designed for education in emergencies (EiE) as children and youth, especially in extreme adversity, are not developing the academic, social and emotional skills and competencies needed to achieve their full potential. Since its debut, it has been tested in both informal and formal education settings in Bangladesh, Greece, and Uganda. Ensuring equitable access, our program provides access to children that would otherwise be left behind such as refugees and vulnerable groups from the host community.
Amal Alliance prides itself on the strength of Colors of Kindness’s adaptability. The content’s malleable design maintains its base structure while leaving room for stakeholders to create meaningful lesson plans and culturally responsive content that meets the specific needs of varying communities. The different adaptations include 10, 16, and 18 week modules, the SEL Workbook version, and other tailored approaches.
Voted as one of the most innovative and scalable methodologies for social and emotional learning by the LEGO Foundation & HundrED, our unique model designed to be low-cost and scalable even in hard-to-reach contexts. Social and emotional learning materials are delivered via a combination of a podcast within a digital workbook. The SEL audio instruction is provided once per week, and features brightly colored genderless blobs.
Why SEL
Social emotional learning (SEL) is particularly important for children as it provides mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS). SEL has proven to be a necessary component to educational systems, supporting teachers, caregivers, and their children in a positive and safe learning environment. Learners gain the critical life skills for academic success, and the skills necessary to thrive in the 21st century, which are often forgotten in national curriculums. Our SEL content is designed to holistically reengage the learner and accelerate the learning losses over time.
Follow Our Journey
Reimagining Learning.
Designing With Purpose
An in depth look at program design.
Implementing at Distance
Lessons Learned.