Gusau - Graceland International School
After our initial fact-finding trip in March of 2009, we returned to the USA with a clear understanding of what needed: several classroom blocks to provide students with a comprehensive education experience. The land for the construction also needed to be paid off. We began our fundraising efforts in earnest with a dinner featuring Bishop John as speaker. We received enough funding though direct donations and pledges to enable our Nigerian partners to begin building in April 2010. The first group of students was enrolled in 2013. By July 2015 the second of two classroom buildings was completed and ready to enroll more students.
And so began the partnership...and the construction of Graceland International School in Zamfara State, Nigeria.
And so began the partnership...and the construction of Graceland International School in Zamfara State, Nigeria.
Initial Plan
The long term goal developed during this first trip was to prepare and equip a future generation of leaders. We wanted to ensure that the education given at the new school would be free of the religious and ethnic tensions that plague Nigerian society. Such an educational environment would foster understanding and cooperation among students of all backgrounds.
Upon return, we held the first fund-raising banquet in order to raise the seed money to get the construction started.
2/15/2009 - Gathering Data For First School
Upon return, we held the first fund-raising banquet in order to raise the seed money to get the construction started.
2/15/2009 - Gathering Data For First School
Phase One
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2010
The construction of Graceland International School began. The foundation was dug by hand and gravel, sand and binder trucked in as laborers made the cinder blocks that formed the walls. Slowly, the walls were built and a two-story building emerged. Our partners kept us apprised of progress through email, phone calls, and photos.
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2011
Our second trip in 2011 allowed us to view the beginnings of the structure that would become Classroom Block 1. After touring the site, we were able to meet with teachers and parents to gain an understanding of a shared vision for the school. Concerns were raised, questions posed and answered, and plans made for continuation.
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2012
Communication with our partners was through email, phone calls, and photos. Travel was deemed unsafe due to a resurgence of the terrorist group Boko Haram and post-presidential election violence.
For those reasons, there was no trip this year.
Communication with our partners was through email, phone calls, and photos. Travel was deemed unsafe due to a resurgence of the terrorist group Boko Haram and post-presidential election violence.
For those reasons, there was no trip this year.
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2013
Travel to Nigeria’s northern region was still considered unsafe; however a trip was made to the north-central region in a safer location. Teachers from Graceland International School traveled south for the first teacher training workshops. Our second benefit dinner was held in February to raise awareness and continue the building process. A partner from Nigeria was in attendance. The first class of students entered in late September; residents began registering their children- of all ages. The building was quickly filled and plans to expand by hiring more teachers for the different academic levels was discussed.
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Phase Two
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2014
In April, a second building was started so that the students of the elementary grades could be grouped together in separate classrooms from the students of high school age. A less complex, single-storey building was constructed and the classes moved for the start of school in late September. AEP is officially recognized as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Teacher training was again conducted away from the area of the school as travel to the far north was unadvisable. Paul Frank and Angela DiMezza from Akron, Ohio, supporters of Graceland International School, were voted onto the Board.
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2015
Graceland International School receives accreditation from Zamfara State and can now serve as a host school for the West Africa Board exams (similar to SAT College Boards in the USA)- quite an accomplishment! An examination hall was started in the fall in the hopes of being ready for the spring exam window. Thanks to generous AEP Board Member Paul Frank,from St. Paul’s Church, Akron, Graceland International School has a new school bus! AEP welcomes The Rev. Amjad Samuel to the board. Teacher training occurs away from the school site during the summer. Our third benefit dinner was held in October to raise additional funds for the exam hall.
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2016
In March, members of the board traveled to Nigeria and were finally cleared to safely travel north to the school- the first time on five years. It was an emotional visit, as members were able to observe students in Chemistry and Physics classes, with a healthy population of girls. Thirty-five students sat for their West Africa Board exams in April. All students passed, with one of our girls receiving the highest scores in all Zamfara State! A summer trip for teacher training was held near the school site in the far north with twenty-five teachers in attendance. Discussions ensued and future plans discussed. In October, several of our partners traveled to Connecticut on a good-will trip to further plans for the future. Our Akron friends joined us for an all-day planning retreat. A second floor is added to the exam hall building. The plan is to move the space for exams to the second floor and convert the first floor to space for a computer lab, medic center, and administrative offices. The wall around the school buildings was extended to include additional land that was previously purchased in order to prevent encroachment. The project is a large one and will take some time to complete. A hospital building is started on land bordering Graceland International School. This will hopefully provide our students with real-world opportunities to mentor with professionals from the medical community. The Board welcomes Hank Rau and Shelly Traska to AEP. March 2016 - Examination Hall Progressing April 2016 - Wall Fundraiser- Can You Help? Sept 2016 - Next Steps for Graceland International School |
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,2017 - This was an eventful year which saw the completion of the Exam Hall building housing administrative offices, teacher work room, and computer lab. Board member Elaine Chagnon was part of a team that visited Graceland International School to view the progress on the Exam Hall and the security wall. The Exam Hall occupies the second floor, this space will also be rented out for community events.
The security wall was completed, and is essential to to the safety and security of the school.
During her time in Gusau, Elaine was able to conduct training seminars with the teachers of Graceland International School. These seminars were well received and appreciated by all the participants.
The security wall was completed, and is essential to to the safety and security of the school.
During her time in Gusau, Elaine was able to conduct training seminars with the teachers of Graceland International School. These seminars were well received and appreciated by all the participants.
Phase Three
2018 -We have reached our goal of building Graceland International School by the end of 2017. The project began in 2009 and year by year, phase by phase, we moved steadily forward to the point where the school is fully functional. A high standard of educational opportunities are offered for boys and girls regardless of religious affiliation or ethnic background.
During 2018 we have focused our attention on adding necessary upgrades to the school. Most important was the decision to fund the drilling of a borehole (well) to provide clean water to both the school and to the adjacent Graceland Hospital. This was a joint effort between AEP and Kateri Medical Services, supporters of the hospital, along with a grant from the Avon-Canton Rotary Club. In addition, the nursery room floor was tiled and funds for additional ceiling fans for classrooms were provided.
Touring the School
Jul 2018 - Classroom Upgrades
Oct 2018 - Touring the School
10/12/2018 - Meeting with Teachers and Administrative Staff
During 2018 we have focused our attention on adding necessary upgrades to the school. Most important was the decision to fund the drilling of a borehole (well) to provide clean water to both the school and to the adjacent Graceland Hospital. This was a joint effort between AEP and Kateri Medical Services, supporters of the hospital, along with a grant from the Avon-Canton Rotary Club. In addition, the nursery room floor was tiled and funds for additional ceiling fans for classrooms were provided.
Touring the School
Jul 2018 - Classroom Upgrades
Oct 2018 - Touring the School
10/12/2018 - Meeting with Teachers and Administrative Staff
Phase Four
Jan 2019 - Work on Graceland International School Well
The borehole providing water for both the school and adjacent hospital is completed. This will provide clean water for bathrooms, classroom science labs, and general hospital use. This will alleviate the cost of purchasing large barrels of water and storing them on both premises. A generator has been purchased to run the well pump.
