More Schooling

APEED’s supporters are concerned for those in Benin who have been affected by the worst flood since 1963.

Care International made the following statement on the disaster, 21 October 2010 :

“Fifty-one out of 77 communes in the country are affected. Even the floods of 1963, which remain in the memories as the worst disaster that Benin has ever known, did not cause as much destruction as this year’s floods.

 

“All the elders agree that they have never seen such flooding,” said Rotimy Djossaya, Country Director of CARE Benin. “Yet the information has not resonated in the international community. It seems that despite the extraordinary devastation caused by this year’s floods, people think it is simply the annual flooding season.”

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The students of APEED took to the streets of Parakou in an effort to draw attention to the difficulties they face in meeting the costs of their education. The students marched under the APEED banner, but were raising their concerns on behalf of the many students in Parakou who struggle to finish their education due to the prohibitive expenses of school texts, uniforms and annual fees for many families.

The march which took place on 12th October, at the beginning of the school year in Benin, aims to put the concerns of the students on the agenda at the local and national level.

 

Thanks to the generosity of APEED’s donors in Australia and the UK, ten refurbushed computers, as arranged by  the UK NGO Computer Aid, are currently being shipped to Benin!

This marks an exciting time for APEED as it builds on the existing support it provides to its 120 secondary school students with the opportunity to gain basic computer literacy skills.

More news to come as the computers arrive…!

 

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 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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