GATE 1 FOUNDATION
Improving Life Through Education
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
We recognizes that in many of our more remote, rural destinations, severe economic disadvantage can make access to even the most basic of resources, a monumental challenge for local families. Believing that education is the most essential component of a child's journey to a successful, thriving adult life, the Gate 1 Foundation's mission is to support local primary schools situated in some of the poorest locales on our tour routes around the world. Our efforts focus primarily on the building of permanent structures that can be utilized year after year by each incoming class. By investing in things that stand the test of time, we hope to ensure universal improvement in quality of life for all students who attend each school, long into the future.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Argentina
The Foundation's sole supported school in Argentina is Pablo Areguati, located in Iguazu. It is situated just a short distance from the village center of Puerto Iguazu, which has a population of 84,000, making it one of the few non-rural Gate 1 Foundation schools. The village is nestled in a valley within Missiones Province, in the far Northeast tip of Argentina, near the rain forest jungle landscape of the well-known destination of Iguazu Falls.
At Pablo Areguati school, the Foundation provided funding for the installation of a roof for a gym and sports facility, which, due to exposure to the elements, had a poor floor surface, impeding footing for the physical activities for which the space was intended. A year later, additional improvements were made to the roof, connecting the sports area to the main school building. In addition to these building and infrastructure projects funded by the Foundation, Gate 1 invites tour passengers, who visit our schools as part of their itineraries, to bring small items that are needed but in short supply, to give to the school's students. In this way, Gate 1 Foundation is able to supplement its large-scale contributions with essential educational supplies, which students' families are often unable to afford, thereby multiplying our positive impact on communities.
Canada
Gate 1 Foundation's sole supported school in Canada, Chief Jacob Bearspaw, serves the children of the Stoney Nakoda First Nation on the Eden Valley Reservation, located in far western Alberta Province. Situated about 50 miles southwest of Calgary, in the shadow of the Canadian Rockies, the school has a student population of 130-140, ranging from kindergarten to grade 12.
At the Chief Jacob Bearspaw School, the Foundation sponsored a total renovation of the kitchen and dining facility, upgrading both capacity and standards to commercial grade. The increased space and capacity greatly ease the burden on the school, which offers a full breakfast and lunch program to its students daily. For some students, these two meals provided by the school are the only consistent source of nutrition to which they have access, making this improvement essential to the well-being of the student population. The installation of a commercial dishwasher allowed for the purchase of a permanent supply of washable dishes and utensils, which not only cut down on the weekly expense of purchasing disposable dishes, but also greatly reduced the amount of garbage produced, with a corresponding decrease in the frequency (and cost) of commercial waste disposal required. A new refrigerator provided the extra space needed to stock more fresh fruits, vegetables and dairy products. And increased kitchen space freed up storage space, allowing more creativity in food offerings, providing students with a wider and more interesting variety of foods.
Colombia
The Foundation's sole supported school in Colombia is Casa Italia in the district of Boca Azul Boquilla, located in the heart of Cartagena, a bustling port city on the Caribbean coast, on the far northwestern tip of South America.
The Foundation sponsored a ground-up, two-story expansion of the existing building at Casa Italia, which is not a traditional school, but rather, a privately funded non-governmental organization, where children from poor families living in precarious situations have access to a comprehensive education, as well as food programs and healthcare, among other things. The new section houses six new classrooms, finished with flooring, windows and brick walls, as well as boys' and girls' bathrooms. In addition to building and infrastructure projects funded by the Foundation, Gate 1 invites tour passengers, who visit our schools as part of their itineraries, to bring small items that are needed but in short supply, to give to the school's students. In this way, Gate 1 Foundation is able to supplement its large-scale contributions with essential educational supplies, which students' families are often unable to afford, thereby multiplying our positive impact on communities
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one of Gate 1 Foundation's earliest country collaborators. The Foundation supports three schools in Costa Rica, all located in Alajuela Province in the North central region of the country, northwest of the capital, San Jose. Situated in the shadow of Arenal National Park and its active volcano of the same name, San Carlos Canton is home to all three of our supported schools here, some 20 miles North of the nearest town, La Fortuna, known as "The Gateway to Arenal."
The projects the Foundation has funded in Costa Rica include new playgrounds, new roofing, furniture, computer labs, including teacher training in computer maintenance and use, air conditioning and alarm systems, and a water tower and tank. In addition to these building and infrastructure projects funded by the Foundation, Gate 1 invites tour passengers, who visit our schools as part of their itineraries, to bring small items that are needed but in short supply, to give to the school's students. In this way, Gate 1 Foundation is able to supplement its large-scale contributions with essential educational supplies, which students' families are often unable to afford, thereby multiplying our positive impact on communities.
India
The Foundation's sole supported school in India is Bainada Adarsh Vidya Mandir school, in Abhaneri. The village is located in the Dausa district of Rajasthan State, a rustic, rural area about 60 miles from the state's capital city, Jaipur, along the road to Agra.
At Bainada Adarsh Vidya Mandir School, the Foundation has made infrastucture upgrades, built new toilets, repaired the main school gate and installed ceiling fans. Planned in the future are several new classrooms, which will alleviate having young children sitting in rooms open to the elements and extreme heat for lessons. In addition to these building and infrastructure projects funded by the Foundation, Gate 1 invites tour passengers, who visit our schools as part of their itineraries, to bring small items that are needed but in short supply, to give to the school's students. In this way, Gate 1 Foundation is able to supplement its large-scale contributions with essential educational supplies, which students' families are often unable to afford, thereby multiplying our positive impact on communities.
Morocco
The Foundation's sole supported school in Morocco is Association Ziz Accueil in the town of Rissani, located in Errachidia Province in the eastern part of the country. It is the closest town of significant size to the Erg Chebbi, the largest sand desert in Morocco.
The Foundation sponsored a total building renovation at Association Ziz Accueil, which is not a traditional school, but rather, a privately funded multi-purpose learning center for local children and their mothers. Before the Foundation provided financial support, the Association building was run down and in disrepair. With funding from the Foundation, Phase 1 refurbished the ground floor of the building, and included: new flooring for the classroom; both Turkish and English toilets; and repairs to or replacement of walls. Phase 2, currently under way, will cover the second floor, and include: new roofing; interior and exterior paint; electricity; and new flooring. In addition to building and infrastructure projects funded by the Foundation, Gate 1 invites tour passengers, who visit our schools as part of their itineraries, to bring small items that are needed but in short supply, to give to the school's students. In this way, Gate 1 Foundation is able to supplement its large-scale contributions with essential educational supplies, which students' families are often unable to afford, thereby multiplying our positive impact on communities.
Nepal
The Foundation's sole supported school in Nepal, Baan Prabhat, is located in the heart of Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, the largest Himalayan state in Asia. Baan Prabhat is situated on the premises of Shreega Vihar Monastery, a Buddhist stupa (shrine) and nunnery, in turn, located in an area of the city that represents a cross-section of both Buddhism and Hinduism.
The Foundation has committed to a complete rebuild of the Baan Prabhat school in Kathmandu, which collapsed as a result of the devastating 2015 earthquake, and where students and teachers are currently relegated to uncomfortable temporary classrooms. Supplementing the Foundation's contribution in Nepal, it has also made possible the purchase of school supplies for an orphanage outside of the city. In addition to major building and infrastructure projects funded by the Foundation, Gate 1 invites tour passengers, who visit our schools as part of their itineraries, to bring small items that are needed but in short supply, to give to the school's students. In this way, Gate 1 Foundation is able to supplement its large-scale contributions with essential educational supplies, which students' families are often unable to afford, thereby multiplying our positive impact on communities.
Peru
Peru is Gate 1 Foundation's first and longest standing Country Partner, and is home to the largest number of Foundation schools. The Foundation currently supports eight separate schools in Peru, with an additional three schools it has supported in the past that are considered successful, completed projects. Situated in the Peruvian highlands near the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu, Cusco is the city closest to all of the Foundation's supported schools.
Among the major projects the Foundation has funded at many of its eight affiliated schools in Peru, are: new kitchen and dining facilities; new playgrounds; new bathrooms; roofing for unprotected buildings; and greenhouses. The greenhouse built by the Foundation at Chectuyoc School in the Marangani District, for example, supports the growing of food that can be used in school meals, meaning cost savings for the parents of the school's students, whose resources are limited. In addition to these building and infrastructure projects funded by the Foundation, Gate 1 invites tour passengers, who visit our schools as part of their itineraries, to bring small items that are needed but in short supply, to give to the school's students. In this way, Gate 1 Foundation is able to supplement its large-scale contributions with essential educational supplies, which students' families are often unable to afford, thereby multiplying our positive impact on communities.
Thailand
The Foundation supports three schools in Thailand. Two are located in Ayutthhaya Province, about 50 miles North of Bangkok, along water channels surrounded by rice paddy fields and farms. The third is situated in Sukhothai Province, some 240 miles North of Bangkok, in the flatlands near the Yom River, not far from Sisatchanalaii Historical Park.
The projects the Foundation has funded in Thailand include: enhancements and roofing for a multi-purpose structure; new or refurbished libraries with furniture and books supplied; rebuilt playground; and a multi-function open air hall. In addition to these building and infrastructure projects funded by the Foundation, Gate 1 invites tour passengers, who visit our schools as part of their itineraries, to bring small items that are needed but in short supply, to give to the school's students. In this way, Gate 1 Foundation is able to supplement its large-scale contributions with essential educational supplies, which students' families are often unable to afford, thereby multiplying our positive impact on communities.
Turkey
The Foundation supports two schools in Turkey, both located in the Central Anatolia region of the country, between the cities of Konya and Nevsehir. This dry, flat area in the center of Turkey is about 150 miles south of the capital city, Ankara.
Among the major infrastructure projects Gate 1 Foundation has funded in Turkey are central heating systems, new or renovated toilets, and complete dining facilities that include kitchens and seating areas, as well as the furniture - tables and chairs - to make the spaces usable for school students. The impact on the lives of students attending Foundation-supported schools has been profound. For example, prior to the installation of the central heating system at Sehit Murat Primary School, heating was achieved through the use of old fashioned coal-burning stoves. Teachers, sometimes with the help of students, had to interrupt their lessons every one or two hours to go out to the garden to fetch coal and carry it into the classroom to fire the stove. This affected the focus and concentration of both students and teachers, and consequently, had a negative effect on the learning environment. In addition, the stoves heated only the classrooms, leaving the rest of the building very cold, which meant that students also had to eat in their classrooms. The building of the dining room, combined with the central heating system that heated the entire school building, made for more comfortable conditions, and thus a more optimal atmosphere in which to teach and to learn.
Where we work
External reviews
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Our goal is to help children world wide with access to education in a safe, environment. Enabling these children access to education gives them a better chance at success later on in life.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Our local tour operators identify schools in need and open communication. We ask the school what their specific needs are and then aim to address those needs. Each project is unique to the school.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
We partner with Gate 1 Travel to identify the schools. The Foundation receives funding from Gate 1 Travel as well as donations. All of our administrative costs are borne by Gate 1 Travel. We also work to make sure our schools are near tour routes and bring Gate 1 Travel passengers to do cultural exchanges. All of the passengers are also encouraged to bring along snacks and school supplies as well.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
So far, we have accomplished supporting schools in over 10 countries. We are always looking for new schools to support. We have a new school in Nepal that has been approved, as well as a school in Guatemala we are in conversations with. Other locations we are searching for schools to support include the United States, Jordan, Israel, and Mexico. Each year, we ask the schools we support to submit projects to us in writing for consideration for the following year. We review, make sure the projects are safe and will positively impact the students, and allocate funds based on our budget and availability.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
GATE 1 FOUNDATION
Board of directorsas of 07/09/2018
Aharoni Zisling
Gate 1 Travel
Term: 2012 -
Jason McCrane
Gate 1 Travel
Urs Andry
Gate 1 Travel
Robin Dean
Gate 1 Travel
Linda Dean
Gate 1 Travel
Aharoni Zisling
Gate 1 Travel