Welcome
Schools3 began in 1994 with the general goal to reduce poverty and aid in world development. It became very apparent early on, that bringing 
education to the poorest children will help meet that goal. Schools3 builds public schools, primarily in Mali, that are staffed with college educated and credentialed teachers provided and funded by the Malian Ministry of Basic Education
About Us
Established in 1994, Schools3 began with the commitment of one man – engineer Jon Raggett – to share his skills and good fortune in the service of helping raise the literacy rate in some of the world’s poorest communities.
Using his engineering background, Jon found a straightforward blueprint for a three-room primary school with an office/storage building and a latrine. He reworked a few details so the design could accommodate 150 children and serve as a community meeting place as well. The school is constructed of concrete blocks, has a metal roof and is finished with plaster walls – all materials that can be found and used inexpensively all over the world.
The Formation of Schools3
Formed almost two decades ago, Schools3 is a tax-exempt, non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization without religious, political or governmental affiliation.
Schools3 is very volunteer-based. In fact, our small staff receives no compensation for their work, and neither do Board members.
Instead, all of them, plus other dedicated volunteers, donate their time and money to further School3’s goals. That allows 100% of your contribution to go directly to building schools – no money is deducted for overhead, salaries or marketing. That careful stewardship of donations has allowed Schools3 to fund over 91 schools, most of which are in Mali, Africa.
| OUR WORK HAS BEEN COMMENDED BY THE U.S. SENATE In another validation of our volunteer approach, Schools3 received this commendation from the U. S. Senate Appropriations Committee report on Foreign Operation (Report 107-219, July 24, 2002). The entire section in the report on Children’s Basic Education is included below: |
||
| CHILDREN’S BASIC EDUCATION Educating children in developing countries is fundamental to long term development. The Committee believes that USAID should significantly broaden its support for these activities, and provides $200,000,000 should be made available for children’s basic education in fiscal year 2003. The committee expects USAID to emphasize programs that expand access and quality of education for girls, enhance community and parental participation in schools, improve teacher training, and build local management capacity. USAID should ensure that it has sufficient education specialists to manage this increased emphasis on basic education. The committee supports the work of Schools3, a private voluntary initiative to build primary schools at low cost in developing countries. |
We’re Focusing on One of the World’s Poorest Countries
Today, Schools3 works almost exclusively in Mali, Africa (see Why Mali?) with a single goal: to establish schools where the desire for such assistance comes from the local village.
Schools3 believes the foundation for improving a community, a family – and especially a child’s life – is education. Without the ability to read, write, and understand basic math and science/health, no child can reach her or his potential – or help their family and community rise above dire poverty. In fact, each of our schools is not only a primary school by day; it’s also a community center and adult school by night.
With the help of caring, generous people like you, Schools3 can continue to improve the lives of not just girls and boys, but of families and entire villages in one of the world’s most poverty-stricken countries. To donate, please visit our Donate page.
Our Board of Directors
Dr. Robert Gard, Jr.
Chairman of the Board
President Emeritus, Monterey Institute of International Studies
Mr. Bruce Nicholson
President
Principal, The Nicholson Company
Mrs. Tory Raggett
Vice President
Artist
Ms. Ann Keeble
Secretary/CFO
Mrs. Laurie M. Benjamin
Vice President, Assistant CFO
Clinical Research, Cancer Associates of Monterey Peninsula
Mrs. Madeleine Delman Cohen
Vice President, Assistant Secretary
Educator
Dave Hatton, DDS