Jacqueline's recap of her recent trip to Ghana!

"I was in Ghana and Akwatia from March 21st to 30th and made good progress.  I had a meeting with Mr. Bright Gavu who will be helping us with the land survey (his background and experience fits nicely with Jerry Nahas' expertise).  Bright will be talking to our project architect, Mr. Dawson, to coordinat the work. I met with Mr. Kafui Prebbie, Director of 1 ViLLAGE Group, and ICT organization located in Winneba, Ghana, which sets up educational programs in rural Africa.  We'll be partnering with them for all the ICT at the library - initially, a commitment of 10 computer stations. Also, Director of Google Ghana has offered to send a team to Akwatia to train the librarians and support staff in Internet use.

Tony a teacher at St.Rose Private Girls School, has talked with the local Akwatia radio station about ideas proposed by our Performing Arts Program Designer and Writer, David Wiener. 

We hope to hear soon from three radio stations (Accra, Akwatia and Tarkwa) to discuss plans and proposals for performing arts activities.  Radio and arts personalities who have expressed an interest in being involved include: Bernard Avle - Morning Show wiht Citi FM, Ahuma "Bosco" Ocansey - Programs Director of Joy FM, Wahad - Director of Akwatia station, DJ Nana King, and especially radio host Lexus Bill with Hitz 103.7 FM in Accra. 

Jojo Lemaire of Tarkwa's Cross Radio has a program called "Building Blocks", focusing on youth education; he is interested in doing some promotions, as well.  These radio professionals are eager to help raise awareness of our project and cover performing arts events, which is great news!

I had the opportunity to spend some time at the Rotary Club in Ghana (Accra-West Rotary) and they have expressed an interest in helping us raise funds for books, computers and educational programs.  If they are able to become active in doing this, they will be partnering with the Del Mar, California Rotary Club whom have also expressed interested in our project.

 Finally, I met with Mr. Ernest Obeng, an ICT instructor at Great Vision School in Akwatia, who is eager to help with our internet and computer-related projects; seems I am invited to enjoy his Mother's fufu on my next trip!"

Fellowship Program Winner - a look into her research!

UCSD Engineering student, Ms Kelsey Ellis, won a Fellowship Program for research specific to the Akwatia Library.  Kelsey will develop surveys to capture the current state of water supply in the region of Akwatia.  Similarly we will develop a survey to capture the current state of the use of computer technology/ Internet.  The purpose is to measure the differences every year after the Library is completed to verify the effectiveness.  We are now planning our trip to Akwatia this upcoming July.


Stay tuned!

GAIO at UCSD's Jacobs School of Engineering!

GAIO will be attending final presentation on May 23rd at UCSD Jacob's School of Engineering for the third semester's collaboration between UCSD and GAIO.  The presentation will be a prototype/ model of a solar powered water pump that the team designed especially to be built and used in Akwatia, Ghana.  This will be an additional feature to the Akwatia Library - provide clean drinking water!!

Exciting!

GAIO at World Trade Center Event!

GAIO attended World Trade Center event at National University and met Bridget McDonald, CEO of Women's International Center (http://www.wic.org/).  Bridget will link GAIOworld.org to their site-- what an honor!

Corporate Sponsorship Packages ready to go!

After much work and preperation, Corporate Sponsorship packages are now ready for send out!  We have packages in the following categories:  Education, Technology, Green Energy, Structure, Performing Arts and Interior.  Please check back to the GAIOworld.org website for details or contact jacqueline@gaioworld.org

Corporate Sponsorship Packages ready to go!

After much work and preperation, Corporate Sponsorship packages are now ready for send out!  We have packages in the following categories:  Education, Technology, Green Energy, Structure, Performing Arts and Interior.  Please check back to the GAIOworld.org website for details or contact jacqueline@gaioworld.org

Donate! Donate! Donate!

Don't forget....we are always eager to have you all donate to further the ability for the children of Ghana to obtain an education! Click here to donate!

Thank You!

Congrats to undergraduate, Kelsey Ellis!

Ms. Kelsey Ellis won the Fellowship Program: Institiute for International Comparative and Area Studies.  Kelsey is an Engineer and the first undergraduate to win the Fellowship award.  We will be preparing for her research study and planning a trip to Akwatia this July.  Big congratulations to Kelsey!

Kind words from San Diego Renewable Energy Society!

SDRES (San Diego Renewable Energy Society, local chapter of American Solar Energy Society) contributed / made a donation. 

 In a letter from their Chairman, Stephen Johnston-  "SDRES is pleased to provide modest support for your development efforts in Africa, and especially for the opportunity it is providing UCSD students to be engaged in solar and renewable energy activities for that project.  The experience they are and will be gaining is of inestimable value for their education and for the worldwide development of renewable energy."