Educatius has announced the launch of the annual competition for the Aiducatius Creativity Internship 2026, a two-week cultural and creative immersion that takes place each June in Kartong, The Gambia. Now in its third year, the internship has become one of the clearest expressions of Educatius’ identity: adventure, exchange, and global impact brought to life.

The competition runs from 15 December 2025 to 31 January 2026. Winners will be selected by 28 February and will travel to The Gambia in mid-June to collaborate with students and teachers at St. Martin’s School, located in a rural village on the ocean. Participants co-lead creative workshops, learn local artistic techniques, and support small community projects.

Last year’s group included student, host family, teacher, and staff participants from Colombia, Bulgaria, the USA, Ireland, Norway, and Italy, reflecting the global nature of Educatius’ community. All returned home with a deeper understanding of themselves, their exchange journey, and the students in Kartong whom Educatius and Aiducatius have supported since
2009.

Aiducatius’ support is critical. Without it, many children in rural Kartong would not have the funds to attend school at all. This internship offers a chance for Educatius participants to see that impact up close.

“This internship brings our students and staff closer to the young people in Kartong in a profound,” said Carla Kearns, VP Communications at Educatius. “Using creativity as a bridge helps our participants connect authentically. It’s also a way to step into the shoes of our own international students – far from home, navigating a new culture, and getting outside their comfort zone.”

The program has inspired meaningful action long after participants returned home:

• Serena Pelizzari, a former student intern, is now teaching at an orphanage in Tanzania inspired by her experience.
• Fednike Nozistene, an art teacher participant, wrote an original play based on Gambian stories and produced it with her high school cast in Florida, ultimately winning her state theatre competition.
• Margaret Peterson, a host mom from Ireland, organized a personal fundraiser that paid for new teacher desks at St. Martin’s School.
• Others have raised funds, shared their experiences widely, and stayed closely connected to the community long after the internship ended.

These individual acts — large and small — reflect the purpose of the internship: to build long term, human connections between Educatius’ global community and the students in Kartong who rely on Aiducatius’ support to access education and future opportunities.