Golden Jubilee Rehabilitation Apata Grammar School
Donation protected
My name is Peter Bejide, now a US citizen of Nigerian descent, I spent part of my early life in Nigeria. I attended Apata Grammar School in Ibadan Oyo State, Nigeria. I graduated with the class of 1987. Apata Grammar School was established in 1980 by the then Governor of Oyo State, Chief Bola Ige as part of their political party's universal education expansion program. The government of the day gave priority to Education. It extended education to people who wanted to go to school but had no means or schools in their local vicinity, such is the case of Apata Grammar School (AGS), it was located in an upcoming but rural community, it was an attempt to bring education closer to the people. Usually High/Secondary school age is around 11-12 years old, but we had adults in the early intake classes, some pupils even older than some teachers (especially NYSC teachers who served in the school).
In the days I attended the School we had a functioning library with books, biology and chemistry laboratory. Inter-school sports was given priority, debate clubs were vibrant, it was fun. However, over the years subsequent governments have paid eye and lip service to education, most of these schools established in the early 80s have run aground. On a visit to Nigeria a few years ago, I cried seeing the deplorable state of my school and the current conditions of some of its classrooms. So many buildings had no roofing, windows, or doors to protect its pupils from the scorching sun or rain, inclement weather or even any form of danger. I counted 5 building blocks that were not fit for use and in dangerous conditions. This is the purpose of establishing this fund. Please we need your HELP!
What have I done about it so far? Upon my return to the US, I started on an awareness campaign, reaching out to former classmates, who reached out to others, 1 by 1 we started to locate other Alumni's of the school. we set up WhatsApp forum and a Facebook page for Alumni's to congregate and discuss these issues, some met frequently in Nigeria. We identified the buildings needing rehabilitation, we identified those with real estate Skill set who volunteered their time and service on a pro bono basis to quantify the extent of these rehabilitation. For accountability and transparency purpose, we officially registered the alumni as a legal entity with the Federal Republic of Nigeria's CAC (Corporate Affairs Commission), we opened a bank account, we set up a Trustee of 11 members to oversee and manage the rehabilitation projects. So decisions are in the hands of a group and not an individual. We embarked on various fundraising drives.
The Trustee found it wise to approach these projects on a piecemeal basis as the decadence is humongous. We started with the very first building of the school, the front row building you see in the picture above. The quantity surveyor estimated N10-N15m (Naira is the local currency), which is approximately $20,000-$30,000 US Dollars) to rehabilitate each row of buildings. each building has 5 classrooms. We started the rehabilitation work in the summer of 2020 and so far have raised and spent about N6m-N7m. The first row has been re-roofed, the walls re-enforced, electrical and plumbing work done. However, we need to raise approximately $5,000 to finish this project. Ceilings, Doors, Windows, Burglary proofs, Plastering and painting.
To stretch every amount of donation we collected, we employed a direct market approach. we set up a team of 3 alumni member on the ground, with vested interest, who go to the market to buy building materials at the source, directly interview and employ artisans and skill sets necessary for each stage, this approach has saved us a lot and is keeping the project within and most likely we may end up under budget.
For accountability and transparency, we regularly post funds on our general 'whatsapp' forum as donations come in no matter how little or large it may be, the Board of Trustee (of which I am a member) provide regular feedback on how funds are spent. We independently verify prices of materials in the market and vote on courses of action to take. Invoices and receipts are reviewed by the Trustees. We get periodic reports on our bank, we established financial controls of 2/3 signatories before funds can be released.
All these is to give you the donor the assurance that every single dime, dollars, pounds, naira or kobo donated is going towards the project and the project only. There are a total of 5 buildings blocks that needs urgent work. We have embarked on the first, and we need your help to push this first project to the finished end. Approximately N2m-N3m ($5,000-$7,000).
Thanks for taking the time to read this and for considering to give of your resources towards these projects.
In the days I attended the School we had a functioning library with books, biology and chemistry laboratory. Inter-school sports was given priority, debate clubs were vibrant, it was fun. However, over the years subsequent governments have paid eye and lip service to education, most of these schools established in the early 80s have run aground. On a visit to Nigeria a few years ago, I cried seeing the deplorable state of my school and the current conditions of some of its classrooms. So many buildings had no roofing, windows, or doors to protect its pupils from the scorching sun or rain, inclement weather or even any form of danger. I counted 5 building blocks that were not fit for use and in dangerous conditions. This is the purpose of establishing this fund. Please we need your HELP!
What have I done about it so far? Upon my return to the US, I started on an awareness campaign, reaching out to former classmates, who reached out to others, 1 by 1 we started to locate other Alumni's of the school. we set up WhatsApp forum and a Facebook page for Alumni's to congregate and discuss these issues, some met frequently in Nigeria. We identified the buildings needing rehabilitation, we identified those with real estate Skill set who volunteered their time and service on a pro bono basis to quantify the extent of these rehabilitation. For accountability and transparency purpose, we officially registered the alumni as a legal entity with the Federal Republic of Nigeria's CAC (Corporate Affairs Commission), we opened a bank account, we set up a Trustee of 11 members to oversee and manage the rehabilitation projects. So decisions are in the hands of a group and not an individual. We embarked on various fundraising drives.
The Trustee found it wise to approach these projects on a piecemeal basis as the decadence is humongous. We started with the very first building of the school, the front row building you see in the picture above. The quantity surveyor estimated N10-N15m (Naira is the local currency), which is approximately $20,000-$30,000 US Dollars) to rehabilitate each row of buildings. each building has 5 classrooms. We started the rehabilitation work in the summer of 2020 and so far have raised and spent about N6m-N7m. The first row has been re-roofed, the walls re-enforced, electrical and plumbing work done. However, we need to raise approximately $5,000 to finish this project. Ceilings, Doors, Windows, Burglary proofs, Plastering and painting.
To stretch every amount of donation we collected, we employed a direct market approach. we set up a team of 3 alumni member on the ground, with vested interest, who go to the market to buy building materials at the source, directly interview and employ artisans and skill sets necessary for each stage, this approach has saved us a lot and is keeping the project within and most likely we may end up under budget.
For accountability and transparency, we regularly post funds on our general 'whatsapp' forum as donations come in no matter how little or large it may be, the Board of Trustee (of which I am a member) provide regular feedback on how funds are spent. We independently verify prices of materials in the market and vote on courses of action to take. Invoices and receipts are reviewed by the Trustees. We get periodic reports on our bank, we established financial controls of 2/3 signatories before funds can be released.
All these is to give you the donor the assurance that every single dime, dollars, pounds, naira or kobo donated is going towards the project and the project only. There are a total of 5 buildings blocks that needs urgent work. We have embarked on the first, and we need your help to push this first project to the finished end. Approximately N2m-N3m ($5,000-$7,000).
Thanks for taking the time to read this and for considering to give of your resources towards these projects.
Organizer
Peter Bejide
Organizer
Kettering, MD