Sankofa Rising: The Learning Village

A trauma-informed after-school program helping children bridge learning gaps, build life skills, and thrive.

Every day in Trinidad & Tobago, children leave school…

and step into the most unprotected hours of their day.

No structure.

No support.

No one there to help them keep moving forward.

And for too many families—there is no other option.

THE REALITY

School ends.

Work doesn’t.

So children are left to figure it out on their own.

Homework goes undone.

Confusion turns into frustration.

Frustration turns into disengagement.

And slowly—quietly—potential starts to slip.

Not because they aren’t capable.

But because no one is there in the hours that matter most.

WHO WE ARE

My name is Dr. Denecia Spence, and I am a Trinidadian educator and university professor who has worked extensively in both Trinidad and the United States.

But long before I became an educator—I lived this.

Growing up in Trinidad, I experienced firsthand what those after-school hours can feel like when there is no structured support—when you’re left to figure things out on your own.

Years later, working in classrooms across both countries, I began to see the same pattern again and again:

Students who are capable—

but unsupported.

Not because they can’t learn.

Because no one is there in the hours that matter most.

That pattern is what led to this work.

I am building this program alongside Amy Bell, an educator with over 25 years of experience supporting students academically, emotionally, and socially.

Together, we bring more than five decades of combined experience in education, and we are both trained in trauma-informed care and pedagogy—

which means we understand how stress, instability, and life experiences shape a child’s ability to focus, learn, and grow—

and how to create the conditions where they can finally succeed.

We’ve worked with students on both sides of this gap.

And we’ve seen what happens when a child finally has:

Someone to help

A place to go

A reason to keep going

Everything changes.

This program exists because this isn’t theoretical for us.

It’s personal.

It’s professional.

And it’s solvable.

WHAT WE ARE BUILDING

We are creating a structured, trauma-informed after-school program designed specifically for the hours that matter most.

Not just a place for children to be—

A place where they are:

WHAT YOUR SUPPORT WILL BUILD

We are raising $50,000 to build this program the right way—from the ground up.

Your support will help us create:

‍‍ Trained, Supported Educators

A dedicated space to train and support facilitators—so every child is guided by adults who understand how to respond to their needs.

A Safe, Structured Learning Environment

A consistent, well-equipped space where students can focus, feel supported, and build confidence every day.

Transparent, Connected Classrooms

A program where families can stay connected and feel confident—

including the ability to check in and see their child’s learning environment in real time.

Materials That Support Real Learning

Supplies and tools that ensure every child can fully participate, engage, and grow.

This isn’t just about access.

It’s about quality, consistency, and trust.

HOW YOUR SUPPORT MAKES AN IMPACT

Every contribution directly supports a child:

You are not just funding a program.

You are stepping into a gap that should not exist.

OUR FUNDING ROADMAP

We are building this program in phases—each one expanding what we can offer to children and families.

WHY THIS MATTERS

This is about more than homework.

It’s about:

It’s about what happens when a child finally has what they need.

WHY NOW

We are preparing to launch our first group of students.

Every day we wait is another day a child goes without support.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

If you’re reading this, here’s how you can help:

CLOSING

No child should have to navigate the most important hours of their day alone.

Help us create the conditions where they can finally succeed.

Dr. Denecia Spence: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-denecia-spence/

Professor Amy Bell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-r-bell/