RAZEL SUANSING
PHILIPPINES, 19
Project: Kahon ng Karunungan (KnK / Knowledge in a Box)
Cofounder: Lauren Zhou
Basic Human Needs: Education
When she was 17-years-old, Razel had the opportunity to attend one of the best schools in the Philippines. The school was in a bubble of affluence, and the disparity between schools in the Philippines was eye-opening. Razel knew many schools in the Philippines suffered devastating consequences from both conflict and natural disasters, and that many of the deep-rooted issues that plagued Filipino society stemmed from inequity in education. In September 2018 Razel cofounded Kahon ng Karunungan (KnK), which translates to “Knowledge in a Box.” KnK is a nonprofit organization reducing educational inequity in the Philippines and globally. They distribute self learning kits called “kahons” to underserved schools that have experienced infrastructure damage or a lack of government funding. KnK’s kits simulate the Department of Education’s curriculum and includes all core subjects, with additional topics intended to meaningfully decolonize and contextualize the traditional curriculum. KnK also runs a blog to shed light on the causes of educational inequity, and a newsletter, Kahon Monthly, to update readers on relevant education news. KnK has distributed self-learning kits to 7,200+ students across the Philippines, Nigeria, Cameroon and the United States. In 2021 KnK plans to work with communities in the Philippines’ conflict areas to adapt their learning kits to Islamic communities. Razel hopes to create lasting change in curriculum that equally values all people and cultures.