“We believe that every single school should prepare every single student to succeed in college.” William H Gates Sr.
We chanced to make our way through the Visitor Center of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and, as the overhanging banner said, ‘entered curious, left enlightened.’
The information is presented in an interactive style – levers to adjust, ropes to pull, things to create, photos to take, ideas to share via sticky note, card and/or computer entry.
There are six components to the center:
- The Voices Gallery – various stories of those behind the ideas and supports to the projects world-wide.
- Family and Foundation Gallery – A brief explanation of the Gates family values and a question for the visitor: “What would your foundation do?”
- Partnerships Gallery – An explanation of how some of the grantees set their goals and measure their results. The question to the visitor: “Would you make the same choices?”
- The Theater – Multimedia presentations about the world-changing work of the partners.
- Innovation and Inspiration Gallery – A chance for the visitor to explore problem-solving strengths and propose solutions to real-world issues. The opportunity: To share ideas with others.
- Sidewalk Viewing – A quick overview of inspiring ideas to share with others.
True, there is no such thing as a ‘perfect foundation’ on this side of the heavens; each organization has its challenges. However, most of what I saw within the center had me considering many things, from the innovative ways to try and prevent disease to new ways of getting the basics to those in need.
The Innovation and Inspiration Gallery had a collection of cards one was able to select and comment on, with a chance to hang them on one of many ‘sharing trees.’
The cards were:
- I support __ and you should too.
- I pledge to __.
- I volunteer for __.
- __ really needs your help.
- Draw your cause.
- How have contraceptives changed your life?
So, dear reader, how would you answer any/all of the cards above?
Tommia's Tablet 
That sounds really interesting! I may have to check it out, too -thanks for the highlight!
Glad you liked. We just happened to stumble on it, otherwise I don’t think I would/had been aware of it otherwise.
Okay, so Bill Gates dropped out of college to accomplish what he did. I don’t believe every child wants or should go to college. Anyone that knows me, know that I devote time to both the church and the museum and volunteer at both. The last question is strictly for a woman and to me, rather personal. Since I had but two children in a 45 year marriage the answer is rather obvious.
Agreed about how not every road requires college. If there’s another way to get to one’s goal, that could be the best one to take.
What I found enlightening was how the ‘power of one’ could have such an impact around them.