AEP to hold benefit concert

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Africa Education Partnership (AEP), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization serving communities in Nigeria, felt the sting of the global pandemic along with thousands of other organizations. A benefit concert scheduled in late March 2020 was cancelled as the country shut down and regrouped.

Retired Granby teacher Elaine Chagnon, project manager for the organization, said the group’s work came to a screeching halt. Out of funds and unable to travel, the group scrambled to maintain communication with its partners where infrastructure issues are challenging in the best of times. They also had to reinvent ways to secure funds to keep the organization going.

At that time, Africa Education Partnership had started construction of toilets at several rural schools and was in the middle of a very large dormitory/kitchen/dining hall project at Graceland International School.

Nigeria emerged from the pandemic with fewer casualties, but world-wide economic reverberations threw the country into chaos. Inflation approached 30 percent, and materials were in short supply, which almost doubled the budgets for this construction. The toilets were completed but the larger dormitory project was suspended. Although trans-Atlantic travel has resumed, Nigeria remains unstable and dangerous for foreigners. The last trip was in April of 2019. Despite the challenges, schools where AEP has completed new construction or renovations continue to increase student populations by an average of 25 percent—quite remarkable for poor, rural communities.

The pandemic has been a difficult teacher, but the lessons learned have been of benefit. AEP has instituted new methods of communication; improved versions of Zoom and WhatsApp now work best. A generous donor came forward, offering a $45,000 dollar-for-dollar donation match giving new life to projects and enabled dormitory construction to restart.

In addition to the $45,000 match, a local band, The Daily Planet, will perform a benefit concert on July 23 to continue the work of Africa Education Partnership. Several band members are retired teachers and are excited to play at this benefit. Funds will be used to complete the dormitory project, hopefully in time for the 2022-2023 school year. In addition, construction of classroom blocks at another rural school site is also in the planning stages. There is no shortage of work to be done.

The July 23 concert held at the First Baptist Church, 240 Hillstown Road, Manchester from 4 to 6 p.m., will not have an admission charge but freewill offerings and donations are gratefully accepted.

Help reach the goal of $45,000, matched dollar-for-dollar—come to the concert, bring your friends, and learn about AEP’s work. Mail a check to AEP, 99 Sand Hill Road, So. Windsor, CT 06479, or donate online at africaep.org or at the concert.

Visit africaep.org, email africaedupartnership@gmail.com, or call Elaine Chagnon at 860-930-8703 for more information.