Kafanchan area Projects
The work in Kafanchan represents our second partnership. There are seven schools located on five different sites, scattered throughout the region. Five of the schools are primary level sites; two other schools are secondary level campuses located adjacent to primary schools. Kogum River, Jagindi Tasha, and Godogodo schools are all rural primary sites. Kafanchan and Gidan Waya each have a secondary school at the same location as their primary facilities. Gidan Waya is the newest site, built in 2012.
Each site has existing classroom buildings in various stages of disrepair (except Gidan Waya). Our partners have used their resources judiciously, building and repairing when possible- but the needs are great and their resources are limited. Our challenge is to assist our partners with renovations, based on them prioritizing the needs. In addition to renovations, new construction to accommodate expanding student enrollment is a growing reality.
Each site has existing classroom buildings in various stages of disrepair (except Gidan Waya). Our partners have used their resources judiciously, building and repairing when possible- but the needs are great and their resources are limited. Our challenge is to assist our partners with renovations, based on them prioritizing the needs. In addition to renovations, new construction to accommodate expanding student enrollment is a growing reality.
New Toilets for Gidan Waya School
COST: $3,700 NOW COMPLETE
Gidan Waya, a large rural K-12 school in Kafanchan, boasts a population of over 700 students. The facility also has dormitories for both girls and boys, complete with toilets and showers. Built on the other side of the campus, the dormitories contain the only toilets for staff and students.
To date, teachers and students have had to walk across the campus to access the toilets inside of the dormitories. This has resulted in lost class time and disruption of teaching. To alleviate the problem, a new building was constructed close to the classrooms. The structure is larger than our normal footprint in order to accommodate the larger school population. Currently, the structure is complete and will contain stalls for students and staff as well as hand washing stations for convenience. Many thanks to the Avon-Canton Rotary Club for sponsoring this project!
Gidan Waya, a large rural K-12 school in Kafanchan, boasts a population of over 700 students. The facility also has dormitories for both girls and boys, complete with toilets and showers. Built on the other side of the campus, the dormitories contain the only toilets for staff and students.
To date, teachers and students have had to walk across the campus to access the toilets inside of the dormitories. This has resulted in lost class time and disruption of teaching. To alleviate the problem, a new building was constructed close to the classrooms. The structure is larger than our normal footprint in order to accommodate the larger school population. Currently, the structure is complete and will contain stalls for students and staff as well as hand washing stations for convenience. Many thanks to the Avon-Canton Rotary Club for sponsoring this project!
GODOGODO primary SCHOOL
COST: $51,000 NOW COMPLETE
Our newest project in Godogodo is the third rural area where students received their education in crumbling buildings as well as a repurposed chicken coop. Conditions in the buildings, but especially in the coop, is difficult at best. The coop, constructed of zinc metal sheets, is stifling in the summer heat. During the rainy season, torrential downpours and heavy wind soak both staff and students alike and send books and papers flying off of desks.
We are pleased to report that this project has been completed. Two new buildings, as well as three renovated structures are now full of students. A separate building now houses toilets and wash stations for students and staff. New desks, 250 in total, have been built by local tradesmen. The completed security wall has had gates installed to ensure safety for all. This is now a K-grade 9 campus.
Our newest project in Godogodo is the third rural area where students received their education in crumbling buildings as well as a repurposed chicken coop. Conditions in the buildings, but especially in the coop, is difficult at best. The coop, constructed of zinc metal sheets, is stifling in the summer heat. During the rainy season, torrential downpours and heavy wind soak both staff and students alike and send books and papers flying off of desks.
We are pleased to report that this project has been completed. Two new buildings, as well as three renovated structures are now full of students. A separate building now houses toilets and wash stations for students and staff. New desks, 250 in total, have been built by local tradesmen. The completed security wall has had gates installed to ensure safety for all. This is now a K-grade 9 campus.
JAGINDI TASHA primary SCHOOL
COST: $32,000
Jagindi Tasha is another rural village about one hour from Kafanchan center. The campus consisted of two classroom blocks in poor condition. Our partners began to build a large structure to take the place of those buildings, as they were beyond renovation. AEP was first able to fund the roof and interior work for that classroom block. Around the same time, a borehole was dug to provide clean water to both school and community; toilets for students and staff were completed as well.
In 2021, construction began on a second classroom block, funded by AEP. This was needed to accommodate the rapidly growing school population, which has increased from about 300 to 686 students currently. The new building has since been completed, dedicated, and is in use.
Jagindi Tasha is another rural village about one hour from Kafanchan center. The campus consisted of two classroom blocks in poor condition. Our partners began to build a large structure to take the place of those buildings, as they were beyond renovation. AEP was first able to fund the roof and interior work for that classroom block. Around the same time, a borehole was dug to provide clean water to both school and community; toilets for students and staff were completed as well.
In 2021, construction began on a second classroom block, funded by AEP. This was needed to accommodate the rapidly growing school population, which has increased from about 300 to 686 students currently. The new building has since been completed, dedicated, and is in use.
SCHOOL BUSES
COST: $15,000
Our most unique work in Kafanchan has been the procurement of two small school buses that were delivered on a cargo ship during the fall of 2020. While our partners paid for the used buses and import taxes, AEP raised funds to cover the shipping costs. The buses were loaded onto a cargo ship in New York harbor, filled with barrels of spare parts and other supplies on board.
Student attendance in school in Nigeria is largely dependent on the following:
1) parents driving their children to school
2) children taking a taxi to school
3) children living close enough to a local public bus line that happens to travel past the school
4) children walking- often long distances along busy roads or off-road pathways.
Most cannot afford the luxury of a vehicle or paying for other transportation, leaving only the option of walking for the majority of children. Students often arrive at school late, tired, and hungry. These buses have provided safe, dependable, affordable transportation to many children living farther away.
Our most unique work in Kafanchan has been the procurement of two small school buses that were delivered on a cargo ship during the fall of 2020. While our partners paid for the used buses and import taxes, AEP raised funds to cover the shipping costs. The buses were loaded onto a cargo ship in New York harbor, filled with barrels of spare parts and other supplies on board.
Student attendance in school in Nigeria is largely dependent on the following:
1) parents driving their children to school
2) children taking a taxi to school
3) children living close enough to a local public bus line that happens to travel past the school
4) children walking- often long distances along busy roads or off-road pathways.
Most cannot afford the luxury of a vehicle or paying for other transportation, leaving only the option of walking for the majority of children. Students often arrive at school late, tired, and hungry. These buses have provided safe, dependable, affordable transportation to many children living farther away.
KAFANCHAN secondary SCHOOL ALL- PURPOSE hALL
COST: $17,000
On a return trip to Kafanchan in May of 2019, time spent at the Kafanchan Junior-Senior Secondary School revealed that the all-purpose hall had a collapsing roof, making the building unsafe for occupancy. The structure, a repurposed chapel, had been used for student body meetings and exams.
After an inspection, it was determined that the structure could be renovated, saving a great deal of money. Once funding was raised by AEP, the work commenced. Taking several summer months, the building was completely transformed and was ready for Returning Students’ Day in the fall of 2019.
On a return trip to Kafanchan in May of 2019, time spent at the Kafanchan Junior-Senior Secondary School revealed that the all-purpose hall had a collapsing roof, making the building unsafe for occupancy. The structure, a repurposed chapel, had been used for student body meetings and exams.
After an inspection, it was determined that the structure could be renovated, saving a great deal of money. Once funding was raised by AEP, the work commenced. Taking several summer months, the building was completely transformed and was ready for Returning Students’ Day in the fall of 2019.
desks
COST: $15,000
When schools are built or renovated, new desks are a requirement. In Kafanchan, the practice is to order desks in bulk and hire an ironworker and a woodworker to have on ground to complete the work. Two-person desks are built from iron rods with heavy wooden tops bolted on. The result is a heavy, durable, safe desk that will last for quite a while. The frames are made at various heights to accommodate different ages of students. When produced in this fashion, desks cost about $50 each. AEP was able to provide 300 new desks to distribute among the completed schools.
When schools are built or renovated, new desks are a requirement. In Kafanchan, the practice is to order desks in bulk and hire an ironworker and a woodworker to have on ground to complete the work. Two-person desks are built from iron rods with heavy wooden tops bolted on. The result is a heavy, durable, safe desk that will last for quite a while. The frames are made at various heights to accommodate different ages of students. When produced in this fashion, desks cost about $50 each. AEP was able to provide 300 new desks to distribute among the completed schools.
BOREHOLES, WELLS, AND SANITATION
COST: $12,500
With every school project, boreholes or wells and toilets are considered part of the cost. It is imperative for students and staff to have access to clean water and sanitation facilities. About one third of Nigeria’s schools do not have these resources. Lack of basic sanitation and clean water lead to a variety of illnesses as well as ground and water contamination from open defecation.
We must work with our partners to determine which source of acquiring water will work best. In the Kafanchan region, water is plentiful and drilled boreholes, while more expensive, provide a consistent source of clean water throughout the year. In Gusau, our school is built on a rock ledge that the drillers can not penetrate to the depth needed for sustainability. Instead, lined wells have good access to ground water flowing on top of the ledge.
Regardless, clean water has a lasting effect on the health of our students and the community at large, who also reap the benefits of clean water access. Our generous donors provided funding to supply clean water to the rural schools at Kogum River, Jagindi Tasha, and Godogodo. Thanks to judicious use of funds, the rural villages of Achin and Antung also received the benefit of boreholes.
Once a consistent source of water has been established, toilets can be built. Pits are dug and lined with concrete blocks, ensuring that they can be emptied when full. Once the water is hooked up, students and staff have safe, clean access to sanitation facilities.
With every school project, boreholes or wells and toilets are considered part of the cost. It is imperative for students and staff to have access to clean water and sanitation facilities. About one third of Nigeria’s schools do not have these resources. Lack of basic sanitation and clean water lead to a variety of illnesses as well as ground and water contamination from open defecation.
We must work with our partners to determine which source of acquiring water will work best. In the Kafanchan region, water is plentiful and drilled boreholes, while more expensive, provide a consistent source of clean water throughout the year. In Gusau, our school is built on a rock ledge that the drillers can not penetrate to the depth needed for sustainability. Instead, lined wells have good access to ground water flowing on top of the ledge.
Regardless, clean water has a lasting effect on the health of our students and the community at large, who also reap the benefits of clean water access. Our generous donors provided funding to supply clean water to the rural schools at Kogum River, Jagindi Tasha, and Godogodo. Thanks to judicious use of funds, the rural villages of Achin and Antung also received the benefit of boreholes.
Once a consistent source of water has been established, toilets can be built. Pits are dug and lined with concrete blocks, ensuring that they can be emptied when full. Once the water is hooked up, students and staff have safe, clean access to sanitation facilities.
kogum river primary school building 2
Cost: $15,000
In February of 2019, AEP was able to raise the funds needed to renovate the second, larger building. Work went extremely quickly, completed in time for a visit by board members in May. During this time, the school was dedicated and a teacher workshop was conducted. The population has since grown from 90 to over 300.
In February of 2019, AEP was able to raise the funds needed to renovate the second, larger building. Work went extremely quickly, completed in time for a visit by board members in May. During this time, the school was dedicated and a teacher workshop was conducted. The population has since grown from 90 to over 300.
kogum river primary school building 1
COST: $9,000
The Kogum River story began in October of 2018 as part of an investigative trip to look at the possibility of beginning another partnership in the Kafanchan area, Kaduna, close to Nigeria's geographic center. Kogum River is located in the rural outskirts of Kafanchan center, about 90 minutes out. Housing about 90 students in two classroom blocks, the small school was in deplorable condition, with crumbling walls and falling ceilings.
After the visit, AEP decided to cement a partnership with Bishop Markus Dogo. After inspection, it was determined that the buildings could be renovated, saving cost. In January of 2019, funding was sent to renovate the smaller of the two buildings.
The Kogum River story began in October of 2018 as part of an investigative trip to look at the possibility of beginning another partnership in the Kafanchan area, Kaduna, close to Nigeria's geographic center. Kogum River is located in the rural outskirts of Kafanchan center, about 90 minutes out. Housing about 90 students in two classroom blocks, the small school was in deplorable condition, with crumbling walls and falling ceilings.
After the visit, AEP decided to cement a partnership with Bishop Markus Dogo. After inspection, it was determined that the buildings could be renovated, saving cost. In January of 2019, funding was sent to renovate the smaller of the two buildings.