Donaleen and Kadisha set up Upcycle Books in February 2015, since then hundreds of educational and storybooks have been shipped to the Caribbean.
However, with great determination and self-motivation, Donaleen and Kadisha worked remarkably well in achieving their ultimate goal of reaching out to a range of different schools across The Caribbean. Receiving positive feedback and encouragement regarding the work that Upcycle Books had done both in the UK and the Caribbean had spurred them to fulfill their passion for their Caribbean heritage and love of working with children.
With high demands from many schools in the Caribbean, Upcycle Books aims to continue to work directly with a range of different schools, the Department of Education in the Caribbean, and the High Commissioners, to ensure local schools receive FREE books and educational equipment to support their libraries. This will further support in equipping the children with the tools to achieve their full potential and raise their educational attainment. It is key for us to work alongside each school individually in providing books and educational equipment required for their school environment.
“ Never be limited by other people’s limited imagination ”
Dr. Mae Jemison
Donaleen Johnson is a project manager at the University of East London, school governor, Education operational manager for a charity, and the CEO of Upcycle Books. Donaleen has a BSc (Hons) degree in Psychology with Special Needs Education and has just been awarded her Master’s in Leadership in Education. Her passion, wealth of experience mixed with her qualifications have equipped her to work over 30 years with a range of children from those who have Special educational needs to some of the most challenging youngsters both in mainstream schools and Pupil Referral Units (PRU).
These experiences have had a profound impact on the way she viewed educational opportunities and social mobility. She now has a personal mission to raise educational attainment where possible through creative education, mentoring, and empowerment.
“ The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education ”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Kadisha Tobierre is the co-founder and secretary of Upcycle Books. Her interpersonal and diverse range of skills includes financial advisor, customer service officer, learning mentor, and SEN support assistant. All these skills have equipped her for this position. Kadisha holds a BA (Hons) degree in Psychology with Education and currently works in social care supporting vulnerable children and families.
As a young vibrant individual, she has always had a passion for making a difference in children and young people’s lives. Her journey working in the educational sector started back in 2010, where her passion for enhancing young students, in their educational attainment began to grow.She went on to further her professional career by attending the University of East London in 2013. It was at this time Kadisha reunited with Donaleen, and both embarked on this revolutionary venture. It seemed only right to combine the passion of their Caribbean heritage and desire to promote influential knowledge.
Kadisha Tobierre’s aim for the future is to facilitate training sessions in mentoring, alongside, helping, and supporting the expansion of Special Needs Educational Services in the Caribbean.
Karen Campbell is the secretary of Upcycle Books. Since 2018, Karen has been instrumental is the development of Upcycle Books.
