More Schooling

A photostory of an APEED performance. The students expressed their difficulties (and many talents) through song, dance and theatre.

Barthelemy Sodansou was our excellent host ably assisted by the active members of his APEED committee and local friends and sponsors such as the Head Teacher of the local girls secondary school:

These students who all face family losses and hardship are sponsored by APEED had planned an entertaining & informative event at their Red Cross HQ & Library. This included a welcome song and dance:

A play showing difficulties for some students who having lost parents are having to live with extended families while they try to continue their school studies:

The many seated and actively dancing and performing students are all part of the APEED project.

A very informative active and friendly day was had by everyone and we are most grateful for APEED’s hospitality and friendship.

 

 

THANK YOU for YOUR CONTINUED support.
Donate to our current campaign to send 10
refurbished computers to Benin. Help give
the students access to basic computer literacy.
Go to: www.paypal.com and search for us
using: moreschooling.com@gmail.com
(any amount welcome)!

 

The students of APEED are seeking 10 refurbished computers (sourced through a UK NGO), as a means to gain basic computer literacy. The computers provide an opportunity to be a self sustaining organisation through a revenue stream from non-student paying users. APEED currently suppports 120 high school students to complete their education by partially paying school fees and providing basic school materials. 

APEED’s focus as an organisation is to assist the most needy students in Parakou - students who have lost one or both parents and suffer severe financial hardship - to reach their potential. It supports its students to complete their high school education equipped with valuable work and life skills and to be a future voice in the community for those suffering similar hardships. 

BUDGET
Pentium 4 PC Kit £45 A$70 x 10 = £450/$700
Shipping to Cotonou = £410/$675
Insurance to Cotonou = £40/$65
Carrier Documentation = £65/$107
Security for 1yr = £494 $810
Power for 1yr = £82 $135
Salary for IT teacher 1yr = £494 $810 
TOTAL = £2005/$3294  

BBC journalist, Nick, speaking with students on his trip to Benin

The 120 students of APEED and its supporters celebrated this week as their story was told as part of a BBC World Service Documentary on the people who meet in internet cafes. APEED founder Barth, made connections with supporters as they came into his place of work, an internet café. His goal was support for the students in the completion of their schooling.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/documentaries/2009/12/091217_
internet_cafe_hobe_doc2.shtml

 

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APEED supporter, Corinne and BBC journalist, Nick meet in Fiji

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/documentaries/2010/03/100310_
internet_cafe_hobo_3.shtml

Final Istallment of BBC Story, Nick Meets Anna, Sam & Corinne….read on……!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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BBC Journalist Nick, with APEED supporter, Sam

BBC World Service journalist, Nick Baker, follows the story of APEEDs global network to Australia and Fiji, tracing the connections APEED president Barth has made whilst working in an internet cafe in Parakou in seeking support for APEEDs students. Barth’s networking skills, personality and charm has turned encounters with people in an internet cafe into solid support and long term relationships. Nick was taken by Barth and his success. Rising from a position as a school boy being forced out of school due to financial hardship to helping hundreds of students continue their schooling. Nick’s story the Internet Cafe Hobo can be viewed online parts 1 and 2 of the radio piece are being aired on BBC World Service currently. The third and final installment will be online on March 11th.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/documentaries/2009/12/091217
_internet_cafe_hobe_doc2.shtml

 

The highlight of the year for APEED in Benin is the annual book-giving ceremony, held at the start of each school year. The 2009-10 ceremony was held on October 14, 2009 and involved one hundred students each receiving a package of exercise books, stationary & school uniforms. This package enables these students to effectively participate in secondary school, maximising the value of their education and relieving the financial pressure on their families. Without this assistance from APEED, many of these students would not be able to attend school, limiting their education and life opportunities.

The attached pdf is a report of the ceremony, as written by the students of APEED.

Book-giving ceremony (Eng)

Book-giving ceremony (French)

For all those who have donated money in the past twelve months, this ceremony is a direct result of those efforts. The money raised at the Beninoise Solidarity Spectactular in Sydney last September provided the funds to support APEED in providing educational materials to its members. A BIG BIG thank you again to everyone who was involved.

Check out http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/documentaries/2009/12/091217_internet_cafe_hobe_doc2.shtml for the interview with Barth (fast-forward to approx 10 mins for the section on Barth).

The BBC World Service journalist, Nick Barker interviews APEED founder Barth in Parakou. The interview, part of a global story on the meetings that occur everyday in internet cafes, focused on Barth meeting key supporters for APEED whilst at work in an internet cafe.

Stories from the blog will be aired on BBC World Service Radio and later in the year form part of a 3 part TV documentary. This is hopefully a sound bite of more to come…if you’re feeling inspired leave a comment on the site.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/worldservice/internetcafehobo/

Cheers to all who came down to the Living Art Gallery last wk. $3500 was raised to contribute to this years purchase of school materials and the partial paying of school fees for the 120 students of APEED, Benin.

The money is raised to coincide with the beginning of the school year in Benin where APEED holds an event each year to distribute the essential school materials to each of APEED’s 120 members. We will be posting photos and a report of this event soon.

A special thanks goes out to Masmoudi Artapis, owner of The Living Art Gallery and rug designer, thanks for opening your gallery to us and for your enthusiasm for the event. And to all the auction bidders and auction prize donors, a big thanks to you.
and…. to Papa Mbaye for an awesome Senegalese percussion performance, certainly added to the vibe.

Thanks again and see you next time!

 

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Living Art Gallery, 1 Meagher St, Chippendale 6.30-11.30pm

$15 with auction on the night

An immense evening of fundraising, rugs and highlife music at the beautiful Living Art gallery in Chippendale. The Beninoise Solidarity Spectacular will introduce you to the music and the wonders of the west african nation of Benin, wow you with some beautifully woven Tunisian rugs from Masmoudi Artapis (a percentage of artworks sold on the night go to More Schooling) and last but certainly not least, lighten your wallet in aid of the educational NGO, More Schooling.