Africa Education Partnership
Elaine Chagnon
Yvonne Gardner introduced Elaine Chagnon is retired after 35 years as a special education and consulting teacher working for the Granby Public Schools and Capital Region Education Council. he spends much of her time working with Africa Education Partnership, a non-profit, to build and renovate schools in northern Nigeria. In addition, schools are provided with wells, toilets, safety walls, and playground equipment. She makes trips to work with the teachers, visit sites,, and plan future projects when possible. Her other interests include traveling with her family, horseback riding, and spoiling her grandchildren.
Elaine provided an update on her projects in Northern Nigeria;
Question and Answers:
Brian asked how they know if the water provided from the wells is potable. Elaine has a trusted and strong relationship with two bishops in the area who ensure they have proper resources and individuals to test the water.
Rollie asked about the relationship between Muslims and Christians and how she would describe the security situation.
Elaine said the area they are in has about 90% Muslims and 10% Christian. The school is in the Capital City which is more secure than the more remote villages. The police force is a national system and it is stretched very thin.
Jolly commented that work is is not always easy and bad things may happen, but overall the donations go an incredibly long way and to not be discouraged.
Brian wanted to know how did Elaine get involved in this work. Elaine met the bishop when he came to United States to study Muslim and Christian Relations at Hartford Seminary. The bishop needed help with his English language skills for his disssertation and that's when sshe was connected with him. His goal was to have a Christian and Muslim school to help ease the tension and build bridges in the community.
Peter asked about job opportunities. Elaine commented that the job situation is dire because the economy is based on oil. There is not a lot of opportunity for kids at this point. They want to start a geology program out there to start well digging program working on a grant to provide them with computers that can hold simulations to get more practical and hands on experience. Some trade schools there but they are not very sophisticated. The government recently made education K-9 rathern than K-6 to establish a better base for students.
Brian asked how they select program participants. Elaine said they will take anyone. When the school was originally created, the condition was poor but when the school was renovated they began getting more students. Tuition is difficult to make payment on and there are many students that can’t afford the tuition so they have to fundraise.
Rollie wants to understand if there is a relationship with Kateri. Elaine said they are two separate and distinct organizations, similar friendships in the same area, but the organizations are different his is health focused they are education based.
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