Incorporated in the State of Louisiana in July 1996, KTA is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, dedicated to expanding student horizons for the future. The mission of KTA is to build bridges of cultural and historical understanding for youth supported by authentic experiences in Africa. Our target audience is students between the ages of 12-16 years of age whose interest include leadership development, service-learning, developing computer literacy,and improving communication skills.
KTA was founded after local teachers returned from a U. S. Dept. of Education Fulbright Group Projects Abroad Seminar in Zimbabwe the summer of 1995. The out-of-school activities and trainings occur monthly with the international component lasting between 10-12 days. The KTA academic and cultural enrichment program focuses on service-learning to promote awareness and prevention of HIV/AIDS, building self-esteem and global awareness through international fieldwork, heightening computer literacy skills and strengthening communication skills.
In nine years, over 100 students have been selected to participate in our annual program. The KTA Board selects students after they submit an application form, two teacher recommendations and attend a general orientation with their parents. Students complete an informal survey and a 250-word essay as a writing sample. Members of the KTA Board may also interview applicants.
The New Orleans Public Schools Africana Studies Unit has supported student travel expenses since 1999. The W. K. Kellogg Foundation has been our largest national funder to-date, in 2000. Parents are responsible for one-third of the international field-study costs. Grantwriting, soliciting sponsors and fundraising by Parents and Board are the other methods for securing program funding.
