GRACELAND INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (GIS)
Gusau, the capital city of Zamfara state in north-west Nigeria, has a population comprised of approximately 90% Muslims and 10% Christians. In a country where religious tension is a daily reality, the building of a school in this area was indeed a challenge.
Begun in 2009, the building of the Graceland International School (GIS) campus has taken care, time, and strategic planning. Thanks to Bishop John Danbinta's hard work in establishing a positive presence within the community, the school is a flourishing, fully-accredited campus and is considered a school of rigor. The school enjoys full support from community and religious leaders. The school board is comprised of both Muslims and Christians. The student population is approximately 35% Muslim and 65% Christian, and attendance is equally divided between girls and boys. About 65% of our graduates continue on to university.
We take great pride in the accomplishments of our partners with the funding provided by our generous donors. In a part of the world full of challenges, Graceland International School serves as a model of how children and communities can come together to learn about and understand one other.
Begun in 2009, the building of the Graceland International School (GIS) campus has taken care, time, and strategic planning. Thanks to Bishop John Danbinta's hard work in establishing a positive presence within the community, the school is a flourishing, fully-accredited campus and is considered a school of rigor. The school enjoys full support from community and religious leaders. The school board is comprised of both Muslims and Christians. The student population is approximately 35% Muslim and 65% Christian, and attendance is equally divided between girls and boys. About 65% of our graduates continue on to university.
We take great pride in the accomplishments of our partners with the funding provided by our generous donors. In a part of the world full of challenges, Graceland International School serves as a model of how children and communities can come together to learn about and understand one other.
RECENT UPGRADES:
PURCHASE OF NEW HIGH-CAPACITY LAPTOPS
COST: $2,250
The use of computers has expanded to include more and more students. The computer skills class is very popular and the aging desktops, originally purchased in late fall of 2018, had become slow and cumbersome to use. With a small amount of available funding, GIS now has 15 new high-capacity laptops. The new machines will be able to handle programs with simulations, enriching student experience in classes such as chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics. It is hoped that in the near future, we will be able to provide more.
COST: $2,250
The use of computers has expanded to include more and more students. The computer skills class is very popular and the aging desktops, originally purchased in late fall of 2018, had become slow and cumbersome to use. With a small amount of available funding, GIS now has 15 new high-capacity laptops. The new machines will be able to handle programs with simulations, enriching student experience in classes such as chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics. It is hoped that in the near future, we will be able to provide more.
RENOVATION OF WATER STORAGE TANK
COST: $1,250
Water is a precious commodity, especially during the dry season. Water at GIS is stored in a large inground containment tank. The tank was in need of a complete overhaul, having been in use for many years. The inside was cleaned out and parged; the drain was also reworked. In addition, a new cover was constructed to replace the dangerous sheet metal cap that was originally placed over the tank. The results can be viewed below.
COST: $1,250
Water is a precious commodity, especially during the dry season. Water at GIS is stored in a large inground containment tank. The tank was in need of a complete overhaul, having been in use for many years. The inside was cleaned out and parged; the drain was also reworked. In addition, a new cover was constructed to replace the dangerous sheet metal cap that was originally placed over the tank. The results can be viewed below.
REPAINTING/WINDOW AND DOOR REPAIR OF GIS CAMPUS
COST: $2,200
Last summer, AEP was able to fund the repainting of the entire GIS campus. In addition, the funding included the repairs to doors and windows. This project was long overdue and gave the school a fresh, clean look. The results, seen below, are quite beautiful!
COST: $2,200
Last summer, AEP was able to fund the repainting of the entire GIS campus. In addition, the funding included the repairs to doors and windows. This project was long overdue and gave the school a fresh, clean look. The results, seen below, are quite beautiful!
DORMITORY COMPLEX: COMPLETE
COST: $190,000
Our latest project at Graceland International School has proven the most challenging. Material shortages, soaring costs, and economic instability exacerbated by the Covid pandemic led to major cost overruns. Thankfully, the deep friendships established over many years of working together have helped us weather these storms.
Education in Nigeria is compulsory through age 15 or the equivalent of grade 9. Senior secondary schools (high school), educating students in grades 10-12, are fewer in number and sometimes non-existent, depending on the area of the country.
Schools offering secondary education find it necessary to offer boarding facilities so that students from farther distances may continue their education as opposed to entering the workforce at age 15. Such was the case at Graceland. As the school gained an educational presence as a place for a quality education, a dormitory complex became a priority.
The walled, adjacent parcel of land was the perfect location. After reviewing blueprints, fundraising, and surviving the supply chain and economic issues created by the Covid pandemic, ground was broken in early 2021. When completed, the structure will easily house an additional 100 students. In addition to separate wings for girls and boys, the facility includes toilets, showers, laundry facilities, a kitchen, and dining hall.
At this point, the project is completed. Unfortunately, the local government has temporarily closed all boarding facilities on school campuses. The security situation in that area of Nigeria continues to be unstable. Luckily, GIS is in the middle of the neighborhood in a relatively secured area, with both police and military bases within a mile of the school. The school continues to operate as a day program and is currently full of students. The dormitory facility is currently used as overflow classroom space.
Our latest project at Graceland International School has proven the most challenging. Material shortages, soaring costs, and economic instability exacerbated by the Covid pandemic led to major cost overruns. Thankfully, the deep friendships established over many years of working together have helped us weather these storms.
Education in Nigeria is compulsory through age 15 or the equivalent of grade 9. Senior secondary schools (high school), educating students in grades 10-12, are fewer in number and sometimes non-existent, depending on the area of the country.
Schools offering secondary education find it necessary to offer boarding facilities so that students from farther distances may continue their education as opposed to entering the workforce at age 15. Such was the case at Graceland. As the school gained an educational presence as a place for a quality education, a dormitory complex became a priority.
The walled, adjacent parcel of land was the perfect location. After reviewing blueprints, fundraising, and surviving the supply chain and economic issues created by the Covid pandemic, ground was broken in early 2021. When completed, the structure will easily house an additional 100 students. In addition to separate wings for girls and boys, the facility includes toilets, showers, laundry facilities, a kitchen, and dining hall.
At this point, the project is completed. Unfortunately, the local government has temporarily closed all boarding facilities on school campuses. The security situation in that area of Nigeria continues to be unstable. Luckily, GIS is in the middle of the neighborhood in a relatively secured area, with both police and military bases within a mile of the school. The school continues to operate as a day program and is currently full of students. The dormitory facility is currently used as overflow classroom space.