Bespoke Furniture: Building connections with Village Pilote

Grade 8 students at the International School of Dakar (ISD) recently partnered with Village Pilote, an NGO dedicated to rehabilitating street children in Dakar, as part of a service learning opportunity that blended both curricular and community-based learning.Led by Mr. Anamalechi, the Grade 8 math team designed the experience to teach students about geometry through real-life applications, and both Village Pilote and ISD parents participated as learning partners in the unit.

Throughout the learning experience, students investigated the design and production process of a chair. They began by meeting with clients (ISD parents) to investigate needs and requirements for chair design, and to understand more about the purpose of a chair in specific contexts. At Village Pilote (a long-term service partner of ISD but typically in a direct service role), the students then learned how to build a basic chair.

Using their new hands-on skills and knowledge, students built 3D models of chairs using custom designs and concluded the unit by delivering persuasive sales pitches to present their final products to their original clients (the ISD parents). The mathematics curriculum served as the foundation of this service learning experience, and students were able to apply geometry principles in a real-world context. While students explored how to calculate surface area, they also learned how to use those calculations to create a simple chair (with the help of community partner Village Pilote); this chair is now used in ISD’s Teranga Center for school guests.

This collaboration and learning experience provided students with a unique cultural exchange and hands-on experience in carpentry, demonstrating how academic knowledge can be applied in real-world situations. During an initial scouting visit to Village Pilote, students conducted interviews to assess assets and needs in the community, gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the children there.

Through this unit, students and Village Pilote apprentices engaged in mutual learning, enriching each other’s perspectives and skills. Inspired by their findings, students organized a food and clothing drive for Village Pilote, collecting supplies to feed over 300 children. By advocating for basic human rights, such as access to food and clothing, and taking action to address these needs, the students showcased their dedication to social responsibility and solidarity with the community.
Village Pilote, established in 1994, assists street children in Dakar through prevention, protection, and rehabilitation programs for children aged 4 to 18. The organization provides professional training in fields such as construction, woodwork, electricity, and agriculture, helping children reintegrate into society. Village Pilote also strives to reunite children with their families whenever possible. Notably, their farm-school initiative teaches organic farming, contributing to both the children’s nourishment and vocational education.

This service learning partnership not only enriched the students’ educational experience by connecting classroom learning with community engagement, but also supported Village Pilote’s mission to provide street children with opportunities for a better future.

Photos:
Students from ISD and Village Pilote after ISD students delivered food and clothing from an indirect service initiative that sprang from the grade 8 math learning experiences and community interactions.

Students learning about the use of heavy machinery at Village Pilote in the process of creating a chair for their geometry unit.

Students learning about proper measuring techniques from the apprentices at Village Pilote