Africa Education Partnership President’s Year End Message

12/7/2018

President’s Message:
Greetings to all of you! We have completed another successful year at Graceland International School. These are exciting times, with the immediate building projects at Graceland nearing completion. The examination hall has been finished, with an 18-station computer lab, a media center with two computers for student use, and a teacher workroom. Administration is preparing to move into their new offices on the ground floor of the exam hall, opening up two more classrooms in the secondary building.

Solar Panels.
In addition, money has been set aside for solar panels to provide a more reliable source of power. That project will be underway in the spring. The borehole (well), over- sized to provide water for the school and adjacent hospital, has been designed, planned out, and digging will begin in January when the water table has dropped. Funding has been secured for this project as well.
Opening of Graceland Hospital.
Graceland Hospital, adjacent to the school, has been completed; both the hospital and examination hall were dedicated on October 13, in a grand ceremony. It is our hope that Graceland students can walk to the hospital for hands-on experience in the medical fields.
Future plans at Graceland include dormitories for boys and girls, and the addition of a kitchen to provide meals for boarding students. Most secondary schools provide housing for their students, as it allows them to reach a wider audience. As the school increased in popularity, dormitories will be essential. Discussions around this project are set for a year out.
Proud of our Nigerian Partners
AEP is very proud of the progress of our Nigerian partners and the good reputation they have built in this area. During the dedication ceremony, prominent leaders of both Christian and Muslim faiths came together to speak highly of Bishop John Danbinta’s vision and the work of making it realized. These leaders pledged their support of both the school and the hospital, a true demonstration of collaboration and understanding. We feel grateful to be a part of this momentous time.
New opportunities.
We are now in a position to investigate other opportunities. While we will continue our support of Graceland International School now and in the future, we have the opportunity to work in a different region of Nigeria.
Continued support needed.
We hope that you will continue to support AEP generous- ly; there is still much to do. We are excited to begin a new partnership with a bishop we have known for several years. It seems to be a natural progression.
On behalf of the board of AEP, we wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season. Please consider a holiday of- fering as we move forward with a new initiative.
With thanks,
Don Ghostlaw, President