Gathering data

10/17/2018

By Elaine Chagnon

After a week of medical outreach, and participating in the dedication of the Graceland International School (GIS), Multi use/Exam hall. This was a momentous event and a milestone in the history of Africa Education Partnership (AEP) and GIS. Our time in Gusau ended abruptly at 2:00 p.m., as the first free clinic at Graceland Hospital, Gusau, came to an end.

After a quick lunch, we piled into the bus for the 4 ½ hour drive to Kaduna, our midway resting place on the way to Kafanchan. Our “mission” in Kafanchan was to investigate schools in the discese to determine needs. We also wanted to assess the planning and organization within the diocese to see if there was a possibility of a new partnership with Africa Education Partnership (AEP).

The bus was full, and we headed out by 3:00 p.m. after lunch. Our goal was to reach Kaduna before dark. We all got silly looking at goofy YouTube videos for a lot of laughs!
Three hours into the journey, the bus began experiencing mechanical difficulties, slowing to an idle. Our driver pulled over and determined that an electrical problem involving the throttle was the culprit. With some quick prayers, we headed out again; luckily, we were close to Zaria, a bustling college town.

We coasted into a gas station and consulted with the mechanic who confirmed the electrical problem. He quickly determined that the repair was beyond his skill set. Luckily, he had a friend who was an electrician. After an hour wait, reinforcements arrived and the problem was fixed. The bus was able to drive on, reaching Kaduna at around 7:45. We dropped our friends at a transfer station and headed on to our place of lodging. After a meal and a surprise visit by Bishop Markus Dogo of Kafanchan, we headed to bed. We agreed to leave at 7:00 a.m. the next morning.