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Graceland International School Roof Fundraiser
When we last published, we talked of a dinner that was scheduled for last April. Unfortunately, the dinner had to be cancelled, as Bishop John and his wife were unable to obtain travel visas. However, in late August, Bishop John was granted a 2- year visa. His busy schedule has made planning a trip difficult, but he will be able to join us in late February/early March for about 3 weeks. During this time, he will spend about two weeks in Connecticut with AEP board members, as well as travel to Ohio to visit with our friends in Akron. He will then return home to Gusau. Our dinner will be held to raise additional funds on Saturday, February 23, at St. Peter’s Church, South Windsor. Please post the “Save the Date” notice enclosed with this newsletter so that you do not miss this exciting opportunity! All are welcome to attend. Invitations will be forthcoming. Please consider continuing your support of this important project at this critical time. We want to help place students in the school building by next September. This means finishing the interior spaces and purchasing supplies and solar computers for the entering class. St. Peter’s Church will be the location for our second fundraising dinner for Grace International School. The dinner is scheduled for Saturday, February 23, beginning at 5:30 with a reception. Bishop John Danbinta, the visionary for the project and our partner, will be able to share his dream. While his wife, Helen, will be unable accompany him, Bishop John sent his narrative of recent news of progress from Gusau. Grace International School has finally received a new roof on Classroom Block 1. of Grace International School. AEP Board members will also share their remarks 501 (c) 3 Non-Profit Status
The AEP Board is proud to announce that its request for non-profit status has been officially filed. Working with UCONN Law School, AEP President Don Ghostlaw was able to gather the needed information and make the necessary contacts to get the job done. This will open up our ability to network beyond the church community; our goal is to begin working in partnership with schools, community groups and foundation. It is hoped that AEP will have full 501(c)3 status by the time of the February dinner. IN MEMORY This past August, AEP Board members mourned the loss of their friend and financial record keeper Mike Spagnesi to leukemia. Mike will be greatly missed by us all; not a day goes by that he is not thought of with fond memories. Difficult Times in Nigeria
Since our trip to Gusau in the summer of 2011, Nigeria has suffered through a year of intermittent violence. The epicenter has been in the Kaduna area, in north central Nigeria, near the 10th parallel, about a five-hour drive south of Gusau. The cause of this violence is Boko Haram, which is a Hausa acronym for “Western education forbidden”, a group that seeks to establish sharia law throughout all of Nigeria They target government offices, police and military installations and soft targets such mosques and churches, ensuring that their bombing activities grab the news spotlight. While Boko Haram has made its presence known, the Gusau area has remained relatively quiet. This may be due to the fact that Zamfara State is further away from the seat of government and far more rural with agriculture as its main economic base, unlike central Nigeria. Welcome New AEP Board Members
We are thrilled to welcome Paul Frank and Angela DiMezza to the AEP Board. Paul and Angela are members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Akron, Ohio. Both Paul and Angela come to us with great experience – Angela has been to Nigeria, seen the school site and visited with parents and children, and Paul has for many years been deeply involved in international education focused mission work. St. Paul’s has partnered with us for several years now – they funded Angela’s and Nan Bartlett’s trip to Nigeria in 2011, and contributed substantially to acquire additional land (quadrupling the property available when the school project began), to erect the perimeter wall around Grace International, and to begin construction on the second classroom block. We are thrilled to have the benefit of Angela’s and Paul’s experience and guidance, and the continued support of St. Paul’s! |
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