Batonga Foundation
| Founded | 2007 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Angélique Kidjo |
| Type | Educational Charity No. 501(c(3) |
| Location | |
Area served | |
Key people |
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| Website |
www |
The Batonga Foundation is a non-profit organization that aims to provide African girls a secondary school and higher education. It was founded by Angélique Kidjo in 2007 and is now working in five African nations: Benin, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Mali, and Sierra Leone.
History
The organization was founded in 2006 by singer-songwriter Angélique Kidjo. Kidjo says the foundation's name was invented when she was taunted while attending school at a time when education for girls was not acceptable.[1]
The organization was launched with a trust fund donation of $300,000 and focused its efforts on assisting children from the poorest families, especially those affected by HIV/AIDS. In its first year of operation, the organization expected to provide scholarships to nearly 400 girls completing primary school.[2]
Work
The foundation is run by a board of directors, the members of which are Angélique Kidjo, her husband Jean Hebrail, Mary Louise Cohen and John R. Phillips.[3] The organization attempts to achieve its goals through granting scholarships to girls, founding schools, and improving teaching standards. The foundation also provides schools with supplies.[4] Batonga's current countries of focus are Benin, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Mali and Sierra Leone.[2]
References
- ↑ Dannheisser, Ralph (2009-01-23). "African Diaspora Celebrates Obama, Promotes Global Change". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 2009-09-24.
- 1 2 "Benin singer gives back to Africa". Al Jazeera. 2007-05-26. Retrieved 2009-09-24.
- ↑ "Board of Directors". www.batongafoundation.org. Archived from the original on 2008-09-08. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
- ↑ "The Batonga Foundation: Supporting Education For Girls In Africa". www.ad4change.org. Archived from the original on 2009-03-24. Retrieved 2009-09-23.