Off Paper is an edtech nonprofit organization committed to democratizing quality education for children in vulnerable communities through the use of technology. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Off Paper founder Chloe Heng to learn more.
Creation Of Off Paper
Can you share more about the moment or experience that inspired the creation of Off Paper and its mission to transform education for underserved communities? Heng said:
“Before establishing Off Paper, I was immersed in the education sector within a low-income community. In this environment, a considerable number of students struggled to keep pace with their peers. As educators, our roles extended far beyond the confines of the classroom. The constraints of time and the parents’ lack of capacity to assist their children with their educational endeavors presented significant challenges in helping these children. Witnessing these circumstances was disheartening; I was determined not to let a single child slip through the cracks.”
“I had a fervent desire for finding a digital learning companion capable of providing quality educational experiences to children, even in the absence of a more knowledgeable person to assist them. To bridge this gap, I took proactive measures, creating supplementary lessons and quizzes accessible via our school’s e-learning platform. Parents were entrusted with ensuring that their children diligently engaged with these resources at home.”
“This initiative persisted throughout the challenges imposed by the pandemic, wherein our sole avenue for educational delivery was through technology. This period prompted me to explore innovative digital tools and methods to effectively engage students. It was within this crucible of experience that the seeds of Off Paper were sown. Inspired by the necessity to address the educational needs of underserved children, I worked with experts within the tech and education fields to create a digital resource tailored to their specific requirements. Off Paper emerged from this vision, aiming to provide equitable access to high-quality education, transcending the constraints of time, geographical location, or circumstances.”
Community Selection
How does Off Paper identify and select the communities it works with? Heng shared:
“Our existing partners learned about us through word of mouth. After being introduced, we invest time into getting to know the communities. Are their beliefs, goals, and expectations aligned with ours? We look for a demonstrated track record of concerted efforts and actions reflecting this alignment. When discrepancies arise in these fundamental aspects, the sustainability of the partnership is compromised. Furthermore, we evaluate our partners’ capacity, ensuring they possess the necessary resources to fulfill their responsibilities safely, effectively, and sustainably.”
Challenges Faced
What were the primary challenges in developing the custom literacy app, especially regarding its offline functionality? Heng acknowledged:
“We needed to create a product that offered accessibility and versatility. The requirements fluctuate not only between countries, but also among neighboring communities. The starting proficiency of the children, their aptitude to learn, accessibility to a conducive space and internet, the cultural context, and the foundational prerequisites essential for their future success all demand consideration when developing such a product.”
“These factors are meticulously weighed in the formulation of both content and technical features of the application. A year of trial and error with our pilot group was required to refine an app capable of meeting these diverse needs. This process represents a continual journey, and our commitment lies in adapting and evolving to ensure our product remains relevant and impactful.”
Cultural Sensitivity
How do you ensure that the app remains culturally sensitive and inclusive for the diverse populations it serves? Heng noted:
“Residing in Asia has provided us with invaluable insights into the sensitivity of certain topics, prompting us to exercise caution and refrain from incorporating anything controversial into our application. We recognize that individual communities necessitate heightened sensitivity. For instance, in one of our communities where a significant portion of children come from dysfunctional families, we refrain from emphasizing topics related to family dynamics.”
“In our pursuit of creating a culturally inclusive educational environment, we are intentional in incorporating themes surrounding celebrations, customs, and cuisine from various countries. Furthermore, we are deliberate in ensuring that the characters depicted in our resources represent diverse nationalities and backgrounds. Many of these children rarely encounter content that reflects their likeness, life experiences, or culture, so our aim is to offer representation that fosters a sense of belonging and inclusivity.”
“Collaboration with local leaders and volunteers is paramount. Their insights and involvement are invaluable in tailoring the app to suit the needs and sensitivities of the respective communities.”
Impact Of Off Paper’s Work
Could you share a specific story that encapsulates the transformative impact of Off Paper’s work on a child or a community? Heng cited:
“We have grown in numbers; starting with serving 30 children to over 400 today and rapidly expanding. This remarkable growth underscores the fulfillment of a crucial need. It reaffirms that our endeavors as a non-profit organization are affecting tangible and positive changes within entire communities. While numerical metrics hold undeniable significance, it is the personal narratives and intimate interactions with the children that truly encapsulate the profound impact of our work. Witnessing their eager participation and radiant enthusiasm during learning sessions and experiencing their jubilant cheers and beaming smiles upon achieving milestones in quizzes—these collective moments define success for me.”
App As An Education Tool For Teachers/Volunteers
In what ways does the app serve as a comprehensive educational tool for teachers and volunteers? Heng pointed out:
“In underserved areas, many teachers and volunteers face significant challenges due to large class sizes, the requirement to teach multiple subjects they are not professionally trained in, and the lack of access to updated learning resources. The application addresses these issues by offering literacy education in a progressive structure. Every aspect has been meticulously created and organized for ease of use, eliminating the need for guesswork and extensive preparation hours for lesson resources.”
“Teachers can readily access these multimodal teaching materials and integrate them into their classrooms, thereby fostering interactive and engaging learning experiences for their students.”
“Moreover, many volunteers and teachers who are tasked with teaching English, despite not being proficient in the language themselves, have found our application to be an invaluable learning tool for themselves. They particularly appreciate its ability to model the correct pronunciation of English words—an aspect even experienced teachers may struggle with.”
Training/Supporting Volunteers
How does Off Paper support and train its volunteers to become effective educators in these communities? Heng emphasized:
“Our process begins with field visits, where we immerse ourselves in the community to observe firsthand. By forging connections with stakeholders, we gain invaluable insights into the needs of the children.”
“Subsequently, we collaborate with local volunteers and educators to craft a customized plan for implementing Off Paper’s services. Then, we provide them with comprehensive training. This training encompasses lesson demonstrations, observations, brainstorming sessions, and feedback gatherings. Our commitment is to ensure that our service resonates with the community, driving tangible change; we understand that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.”
“Following the training, we conduct further observations from time to time to assess the implementation plan’s effectiveness and actively seek feedback from users. Our approach is dynamic and continuously evolving. Whenever new features are introduced, we engage our volunteers through Zoom sessions to acquaint them with the updates and empower them to utilize the platform effectively.”
Challenges Related To Uncertain Economic Climate
What are the biggest challenges Off Paper has faced, particularly in light of the uncertain economic climate? Heng admitted:
“Like other non-profit organizations, fundraising presents a challenge, especially in light of the prevailing economic conditions. As we plan our growth and the enhancement of our services, we are cognizant of the need to pace ourselves and exercise prudence. This entails avoiding overconsumption and unnecessary expenditure. We remain centered on identifying and prioritizing the specific needs we seek to address, and diligently seeking the most comprehensive and effective solutions for them.”
Ensuring Effectiveness Of Education Programs
How has Off Paper adapted its strategies in response to these challenges to ensure the continuity and effectiveness of its educational programs? Heng replied:
“Over time, we have cultivated a strong community of individuals who share a deep passion for supporting children and are eager to contribute in their own unique ways. Through my involvement with Off Paper, I have been privileged to witness the inherent kindness of humanity and the willingness of countless individuals to lend a helping hand to those they have never met. From our partners and sponsors to the volunteers working tirelessly on the ground and behind the scenes, as well as the professionals generously offering their expertise, each person plays a vital role in making our mission possible, regardless of any challenges we may face.”
Expansion Plans
What are Off Paper’s goals for expansion in 2024 and beyond? Heng affirmed:
“We have several hubs in the pipeline, but we are pacing ourselves to enhance the experience for the existing hubs under our care. This entails broadening the offerings within the app and enriching the learning experiences through technology. Among these learning experiences are Off Paper’s International Intern Program, Digital Cross-Cultural Exchange, and Online Pen Pal Buddy Program.”
Overcoming Hurdles Of Fundraising
How does Off Paper plan to overcome the hurdles of fundraising and resource allocation to achieve these goals? Heng reflected:
“Our goal is to eventually shift the transactional nature of the typical donor-nonprofit relationship towards one characterized by authentic, personal engagement. We aim to foster a close-knit community where donors perceive themselves not solely as financial contributors but as advocates for Off Paper’s mission.”
“To accomplish this objective, we are delving into more personalized and interactive approaches to allow individuals to connect with our cause and bridge the gap between donors and beneficiaries. Additionally, we are initiating meaningful projects aimed at generating alternative sources of income to sustain our endeavors.”
Personal Development Skill Development
How does Off Paper’s approach go beyond academic skills to include personal development and character building? Heng elaborated:
“As an organization entrusted with the pivotal responsibility of educating young minds, we acknowledge the utmost importance of prioritizing holistic education. It transcends mere academic achievement; we must also underscore the cultivation of character traits and life skills crucial for societal integration. These values are seamlessly woven into our lessons, ensuring a comprehensive education for our beneficiaries.”
“One of the features offered within our application is thematic lessons, where students engage with the English language across diverse contexts, enriching their vocabulary and bolstering their comprehension of linguistic constructs. We integrate personal development and character building by creating specialized courses such as ‘How to Pack Your School Bag’ and ‘How to be a Good Friend’. It is also seamlessly integrated into regular lessons as well. Values are also ingrained in the eBooks, which are complemented by comprehension quizzes crafted to stimulate critical thinking. These quizzes include inquiries designed to prompt reflection on moral judgments, encouraging the evaluation of actions as either right or wrong.”
“In contrast to individuals like us, who often receive essential life skills from a young age through guidance from parents and educators—ranging from packing a school bag to personal hygiene and nutrition—children in these communities lack comparable experiences. Recognizing this disparity, we integrate these crucial topics into our application, ensuring that children can acquire essential life skills alongside their academic learning.”
Role Of Education For Handling Life Challenges
How do you envision the role of education in preparing students not just for academic success but for life’s broader challenges? Heng observed:
“We aim to ensure that the skills and values essential for their success—such as problem-solving, managing difficult emotions and relationships, integrity, and perseverance—are seamlessly integrated into nearly every interaction they have with educational resources. Our goal is for these attributes to become ingrained within their critical thinking process, serving as a natural framework as they navigate decision-making throughout their lives.”
Educational Innovation
How does Off Paper stay at the forefront of educational innovation, particularly in leveraging technology for learning? Heng explained:
“Establishing connections and nurturing relationships with professionals specializing in diverse fields such as technology and education, while also staying informed about the latest advancements in these areas ourselves, is integral to our approach. It is through collaborative efforts with other dedicated individuals that we can innovate and discover new ideas and methodologies to enhance the experiences of our beneficiaries.”
Role Of Technology In Future Of Education
What role do you see for technology in the future of education, especially in reaching underserved populations? Heng assessed:
“With the latest advancements in technology, particularly in the realms of AI and virtual reality, there exists tremendous potential to offer more than just access to education. We can provide personalized, high-quality, and immersive learning experiences for children in underserved areas. This potential enables us to foster global learners even without travel – a privilege the children do not have. I remain steadfast in my belief that technological progress must always be tempered with ethical considerations. It is imperative that we maintain a balance between leveraging technology and preserving real-world human interactions and engagement.”
Learning Experiences From Off Paper
As the driving force behind Off Paper, what has been your most profound learning experience through this journey? Heng contemplated:
“Recently, I added ‘Small Kindness’ by Danusha Lameris to my collection of favorite poems. It serves as a poignant reminder of genuine human connection in our fast-paced world. We don’t often stop to acknowledge the fleeting moments of compassion in our interactions with others, and don’t stay long enough to witness the effect of that kindness.”
“In my role in building the Off Paper community, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the inherent goodness within humanity. Our volunteers comprise a diverse group of individuals, each facing their own unique challenges and circumstances. Yet, despite their own struggles, members of our community consistently extend a helping hand to children in need, irrespective of whether that kindness will ever be reciprocated.”
“Witnessing the generosity of the human spirit has profoundly shifted my perspective on the world and influenced how I navigate my own life. This shared community, characterized by the transformative power of kindness, has become the driving force behind our ongoing efforts at Off Paper.”
Advice For Those Looking To Make A Difference
What message would you like to convey to individuals and organizations looking to make a difference in the educational landscape? Heng concluded:
“With a little ingenuity, a lot of hard work, some brilliant minds around you, and a team of volunteers who are passionate about change, you can accomplish anything.”
