African Education Initiative (AEI) aims to improve education opportunities for children in Ghana and Togo by improving learning conditions, supplying better instructive material and innovative educational programs.
In June, Bartle visited a primary school in Ghana and an orphanage in Togo.
"When I started helping (Elise) with this cause, I helped with the legal stuff . . . I didn't have that connection with the kids until I got to go there," said Bartle, daughter of Linda and the late Ray Bartle, Washington, and a 2005 graduate of Washington High School.
"It's hard to express in words what it's like, but when you're there, holding the kids and you see how happy they are . . . it gets to you."
On her visit, Bartle took $6,000 AEI had raised in December from a fundraiser in New York City. More events are being planned, including one for this Christmas in Chicago.
Bartle said the charity is targeting models and the fashion industry to support the cause - "We call it 'Models Care,' " she commented - but donations from anyone are welcome.
"It only takes $2 a day to give a child food, medical care, hygienic supplies and send them to school for a year at the Gracia orphanage of Sotouboua (in Togo)," AEI's brochure notes.
"The average college tuition is only $100 for food, dorm stay, uniforms and books needed."
Following are specific needs AEI is striving to meet in each country:
Ghana
*ÊBuild a new structure for three to four classrooms. Estimated cost is $31,000. Currently, rain and harsh weather prohibit class;
*ÊSupply teachers and students with much needed educational materials;
*ÊInstall solar panels to bring electricity to the school to one day support a computer lab;
*ÊInitiate a penpal program between Wudokpu Elementary School and a New York City school. Combining the letters with the curriculum of the students so each class can learn from one another and create unity across the continents; and
*ÊAward two scholarships to a brother and sister who cannot afford tuition because their mother died of AIDS.
Togo
*ÊRaising money to sponsor the 35 children of the Gracia Orphanage of Sotouboua with food, hygenic supplies, medical care and educational materials;
*ÊBringing toys, games, art supplies, beads, etc., to the children so they can have a chance to express themselves;
*ÊRaising money to construct and fill a public library for the city of Sotouboua. Already 150 fiction books and 300 textbooks have been collected to date. Estimated cost to build the library is $30,000; and
*ÊAward scholarships to orphans who wish to continue their studies at universities.
For more information on AEI or to make a donation, people can visit www.aei-togo.org.
Checks made out to African Education Initiative also can be mailed to African Education Initiative, 124 W. 16th St., New York, NY 10011.
AEI also has a page on Facebook at http://apps.facebook.com/causes/166721/20381628?m=611088da.
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