African Education Program gets boost from local supporters

What’s transpired in Zambia’s town of Kafue since a group of matriculates from Radnor High decided to send new and used school supplies and equipment for others education, has helped more than that village. The African Education Program’s efforts (AEP) has been training, educating and uplifting spirits in the nation as well.

The non-profit was founded in part by Julie-Anne Savarit-Cosenza, Hillary Bridges, Sarah Hayes and Christian Mark, who took the lead on how to proceed with their idea for the project from their Radnor High soccer coach, Dave Chalikulima, along with a sibling of his who still lived in that country. Both men understood what a help any efforts the teens’ could make would mean to those residing in poverty or without two parents in the city of Kafue.

Since then several Main Line denizens and beyond have been willing to put in the time, or hands-on experiences needed to make the education opportunities viable. Many have opted to investigate by visiting the country and school, others have fundraised to further AEP’s initiatives. Fortunately for the non-profit a record crowd of the mission’s supporters recently gathered to celebrate the 10 years of being “open” milestone at the Wayne home of Walter and Susan Buckley.

Though not able to be there in person at the fundraiser, one of AEP founders, Julie-Anne Savarit-Cosenza, was certainly there not just in spirit, but also a hoped for teleconference to report on the school’s continuing progress.

Another of AEP’s precepts is that one must not glean the experience just for themselves, but in some way to continue the “pay it forward” mentality in thought, word and deed. Sage advice.

In the audience to speak on the subject was AEP board member Bradford Machila who’d come from Zambia for the event. The former minister of lands, livestock and fisheries accompanied Brian Bwembya, known as B’Flow. This AEP ambassador is a very famous singer in Zambia and is the only African singer who has been endorsed by President Obama! ’Nuff said.

AEP’s now in the middle of a $10,000 matching funds marathon to sustain its Amos Youth Center. Until the end of Sept. an anonymous donor has agreed to match each dollar sent for the education of these Zambian children. Seems like a bargain when considering the costs of not teaching or training those in developing countries, while living in an area that reveres education.

How to help the cause? Visit AEP’s website at africaneducationprogram.org.

It’s a “mini-meeting of the AEP minds” when board member David Boyer of Haverford and wife Pat, meet up with fellow board member Peter Cosenza of Wayne, and Annette Smith of Radnor.

Walter Buckley of Wayne gets a heartfelt “thank you” for hosting the annual fundraiser from AEP board members Marie Odile-Cosenza of Wayne and Bradford Machila of Lusaka Zambia.

It’s a “date night with daughters” for Wayne moms Suzanne Neimeyer and Anaid Calvitta (right) who brought along Jessica Niemeyer and Gabriela Calvitta of Wayne.

Liz Harmon of Wayne and Marie Lambeck-Malvern hitch a lift to the given by Michael Candelori of Lansdowne.

Dan Malloy encounters fellow Wayne resident Jackie Baver while looking over handicrafts from Zambia.

Hostess Susan Buckely of Wayne gets a pat on the back and thanks for opening their hillside acres in support of AEP from Charlie Wilmerding of Villanova, Greg Clower of Bryn Mawr and John Tyson of Wayne.

Susan Underwood of Radnor stops to speak with Ellen and Alan Epps of Wayne

Jack Childs of Wayne believes it’s never “too early” to teach children about philanthropy.