OUR PROJECTS
KENYA​
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The Soweto Academy of Kenya was founded in 1988 by Reverend Chrispinus Okumu. It began as a feeding center and a nursery school for five orphaned children who lived in the streets of Kibera located in the outskirts of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. The Academy sits on a piece of land that was once designated as a dump site by the city council of Nairobi. Living in extreme poverty, many children lacked basic nutrition and access to affordable education.
NIGERIA
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The vision for the Alliance International School of Nigeria (“Alliance”) started when Rev. Dr. Lola Akiwowo visited the village of Imosan in Ijebu-Ode in her native country of Nigeria. She saw that too many children still lacked access to affordable education and thus began the Alliance journey. Teaming up with Rev. Dr. Mia Chang, a plot of land was acquired in 2015 and construction began in the following year. We are now scheduled to open Alliance and enroll our first students in September 2018! In the coming years, this three-acre compound will have an elementary school, middle school and high school with a cafeteria, dormitory, chapel and medical clinic for up to 500 students. Alliance will be constructed in several stages until it is completed in year 2020. In addition to academics, students will also be provided at least one meal per day. The teachers of Alliance will encourage students to pursue their dreams and utilize their talents to make a positive contribution to their families and community.
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Our vision is to take part in enhancing the lives and realizing the potential of the students of Soweto Academy by accomplishing these goals:
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1. Raise awareness
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2. Provide financial support
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3. Empower the teachers and administrators
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Groundbreaking
Rev. Mia Chang, trustee, celebrating the opening of a new classroom at Soweto Academy with Principal Johnstone and Rev. Chrispinus Okumu.
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Our sister organization called “Nextgen One World One Love Outreach International,” a registered nonprofit corporation in Nigeria, currently manages the construction of the school in Imosan and will operate the school once it is opened later this year. Africa River of Life** provides funding and administrative support as necessary. We are two teams across an ocean but share a singular passion to provide education to the children of Imosan.
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This video depicts some sights and sounds of Kibera!
N I G E R I A
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The vision for the Alliance International School of Nigeria (“Alliance”) started when Rev. Dr. Lola Akiwowo visited the village of Imosan in Ijebu-Ode in her native country of Nigeria. She saw that too many children still lacked access to affordable education and thus began the Alliance journey. Teaming up with Rev. Dr. Mia Chang, a plot of land was acquired in 2015 and construction began in the following year.
Alliance welcomed its very first class of students in 2018 and currently there are 300 students enrolled in grades Pre-K to middle school! In the coming years, we plan to add a library, science and technology labs, and playground with capacity for more students. In addition to academics, students are also provided meals and transportation to and from the school. The more than 40 teachers and staff of Alliance encourage students to pursue their dreams and utilize their talents to make a positive contribution to their families and community.
Our sister organization “Nextgen One World One Love Outreach Int'l,” a registered nonprofit corporation in Nigeria, currently operates the school and manages all matters onsite in Imosan. Africa River of Life** provides funding and administrative support. Lola travels to Nigeria and oversees day to day operations of the school each semester. Steve also visits periodically to meet with our directors and administrators. We are two teams across an ocean but share a common passion to educate and serve the children of Imosan.
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Striking a Pose at Alliance Int'l School
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A busy day in Imosan, Ijebu-Ode
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Alliance is a lively, vibrant school for young children with a caring, dedicated team of experienced teachers. The children are learning, singing and enjoying meals provided by the school. Due to the growth of our student body, we have a small fleet of schoolbuses that pick up and drop off students and some staff as well.
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​​Breakfast Time!
Children enjoying some hot cereal before class
Today's Lesson
Math, reading, writing, art... a full day in class!
**Kibera River of Life, Inc. d.b.a. "Africa River of Life"