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2016 in Review

In a Perfect World

By In a Perfect World

December 31^st, 2016

our Mission

At In a Perfect World, we are dedicated to empowering the next generation by creating and supporting programs that provide education, mentoring and artistic expression to underserved and at-risk youth around the world.

in 2016... we grew

We formed new partnerships, reached new communities and we celebrated our 11th year of service. Our team grew stronger as we welcomed new ambassadors Kennedi Urruti, Isaiah Mosley and Sierra Romero, and Seth Henderson & Shelvee Casey joined Kelsy Dominick on the Youth Advisory Board. And we expanded our advisory boards - both east and west - to include Barbara Hawthorn, Jason Kampf, Sudhakar Shenoy, Sheryl Nields, Jonathan Lipking, Sara Qazi, Marilyn Hopkins, Tammy Warren, Michelle Vink & Andy Taylor.

The IAPW team at our Give100 Celebration in November, 2016.

33,437 miles + 1400 kids

Over the course of the year, our founder, Manuela Testolini, traveled 33,437.89 miles across 5 countries, visiting 1400 + kids benefitting from In a Perfect World's support.

Manuela with children in the village of Mitula in the Kasungu district of Malawi where IAPW funded a school in 2015.

9 new schools in 6 countries

We funded 9 schools in 6 different countries, giving hundreds more children access to education & helping to break the cycle of poverty and illiteracy. Whether it's building a school so that children wouldn't have to walk 10km to the nearest school or replacing a broken down, unsuitable structure with a clean, safe and nurturing learning environment, everywhere an IAPW school was built, we made a difference in a community.

Old school in Senegal

New school in Ng'ozo, Malawi

We honored Prince in Malawi...

Earlier this year, we tragically lost music legend Prince. To honor him and his commitment to service and education, our founder pledged to fund and dedicate a school to him. And we did.

In October, 282 children started classes at the new school in the village of Ng'ozo.

Manuela sits in on the first day of classes in the Ng'ozo school.

ANd his fans did, too.

The Prince community was inspired by IAPW's pledge to build a school in Prince's honor. Led by NPG UK and the Purple Army, they raised funds for seed money towards a second school in Malawi. The IAPW team worked hard, side by side with the community to break ground on the school and lay its foundation.

Check out the thank you video we put together for the Prince community:

We welcomed New partners

Thanks to a partnership with MPOWERD & DirectEnergy, we were also able to distribute more than 800 solar lights to communities without electricity. These lights lit the path to education for children who travel from long distances to attend IAPW-funded schools. It also means that children have a light to study by at night, and adults who are inspired to learn can do so as well.

Manuela with village elders, distributing solar lights.

Chisomo studying in the evening with her solar light.

Chisomo and the headmaster of her school.

We lent a hand...

We donated books, toys and 400lbs of food to high-poverty communities in the US where the average household income is under $10,000/year. Thanks to Panera, we also distributed bread directly to residents.

Manuela and IAPW Chair of the Board, Norman Bailey, distributing food in Wellington Park, DC.

Manuela & IAPW's Diana Villarreal distribute food in Wellington Park.

Manuela, Norman and Diana in Wellington Park.

lucia did, too.

Our Junior Ambassador, Lucia Bella, rode her trike for sick kids, taught fellow pre-school kids about recycling on Earth Day, packed up backpacks full of school supplies for kids in need and donated her birthday to children in homeless shelters so they can have birthday parties, too. We think she's pretty awesome.

Lucia Bella with Manuela and during aTrike-a-thon for St. Jude Research Hospital.

2016 in Review

Lucia's Earth Day project, decorating reusable bags & making bird feeders with pre-school kids.

we invested in the future

We expanded our Youth Ambassador program into the Washington, D.C. area., and they worked hard to bring educational community projects to life. Whether cleaning up a community for Earth Day or working on a farm to teach kids about sustainability & healthy eating, IAPW ambassadors made their mark & made a difference.

IAPW Ambassadors at the farm.

2016 in Review

2016 in Review

2016 in Review

Kyree at the farm.

we empowered through art

Continuing our long-standing support of arts empowerment, IAPW supported mentoring programs that bring the healing powers of relationships and artistic expression homeless and runaway youth.

A young man participates in an arts mentoring workshop.

2016 in Review

2016 in Review

We supported women & girls

Two thirds of the world's 785 million illiterate adults are female. This year we launched an International Women's Day campaign in partnership with buildOn to support literacy for women in the developing world.

We also participated in our first all-women trek in Haiti. Led by a female construction team, we broke ground on IAPW's 6th school in Haiti in the village of Baptiste.... our 28th school overall.

The all women trek team in Baptiste, Haiti.

It is actually easier to carry a bucket of water on your head than at your side!

Girls in Baptiste, Haiti.

Girls in Carre, Haiti.

Manuela hanging out with the preschool and elementary school kids.

We made Lots of new friends...

And we had lots of fun. Playing under parachutes, doing the chicken dance, laying bricks and learning to carry water on our heads... it was all a beautiful adventure. Follow along with us on Instagram @perfectworldfn

An elder from the village of Mitula. He was very excited to tell Manuela about how his life has changed since he learned to read and write.

At Lucia's Earth Day project, pre-school kids decorate their own reusable bags.

Manuela & children from Notre Maison orphanage in Fond-Parisien, Haiti.

Fun with the kids in Chimbwenda, Malawi.

Every morning, Daria brought water from the well to her house so she could bathe before school.

A warm welcome in Ng'ozo

Kelsy and Lily on the worksite

Including one special girl

A little girl named Aava wrote to us, asking if she could donate her 5th birthday to children that don't get to go to school. And she did... raising double her goal! Check out Aava's campaign here or learn how to get involved here!

Aava donated her 5th birthday!

we gave 100

In a Perfect World always gives 100% of all public donations directly to the cause. We celebrated this by launching a special "Give100" social media campaign. Our supporters caught the Give100 bug and pitched in.

Manuela & Prince's brother, Omarr having fun with the kids in Chimbwenda.

Michelle Vink of our Advisory Board, giving 100 on the worksite!

IAPW Board member Christine Onesky using her — IAPW Board member Christine Onesky using her "mutu" (Chichewa for head)

Samuel L. Jackson & LaTanya Richardson-Jackson support the #give100 campaign.

Kelsy and a woman from the village on the worksite in Chimbwenda, Malawi.

2016 in Review

Singer/Songwriter Kenny Lattimore supports the #give100 Campaign

2016 in Review

we celebrated

We had our first ever fundraiser, raising money for post-hurricane work in Haiti.

We also were awarded GuideStar Platinum status, GuideStar's highest level attainable, for our ongoing commitment to transparency.

2016 in Review

2016 in Review

2016 in Review

2016 in Review

2016 in Review

2016 in Review

2016 in Review

2016 in Review

thank you!

2016 was our biggest year yet. We are grateful for your support!

© 2026 In a Perfect World

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Compassion for Animals

Nicholas & his no-sew dog beds

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