On October 19, 2024, Awkunanaw, Enugu State, witnessed the official opening of the Araceli Aid Foundation Academy, a school dedicated to providing quality education for less privileged children in the community. The academy is a project of the Araceli Aid Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded by American philanthropist Anne Rossmeier, aimed at improving educational opportunities and living conditions for indigent individuals in Nigeria.
During the opening ceremony, notable attendees expressed their commitment to the mission of the academy. “I firmly believe that quality education is not only a right for every child but also their currency for future opportunities,” remarked a distinguished guest at the event. The guest highlighted the importance of private investments in education, noting their crucial role in advancing societal progress.
The academy currently supports about 50% of its students through full and partial scholarships, marking a significant stride toward providing access to quality education for underprivileged children. The guest pledged to partner with the foundation to sponsor additional indigent students, emphasizing the collective responsibility to uplift future generations through education.
Following the opening of the academy, the guest attended the 70th anniversary celebration of Queen School Enugu, which has been dedicated to educating girls and nurturing responsible citizens for seven decades. During the visit, the guest commended the school’s longstanding commitment to female education and called on the Old Girls Association to enhance their support for the institution, particularly regarding infrastructure and amenities.
The guest proposed a collaborative five-year project plan with the Old Girls Association to address the school’s infrastructural needs. “By the time we return for the 75th anniversary, we will celebrate remarkable growth in the school’s facilities,” they said.
The day’s events underscored the importance of educational investment in shaping the future of Nigeria. As the guest concluded, “These seeds of educational investments we have continued to sow across the country will germinate into greater development and productivity for the nation. A New Nigeria remains POssible!”
