OPENings April 2016:
May we have this Dance?
Dear friends,
It has been quite a busy and exciting time since I last wrote you in February. As you may recall, we were fortunate enough to have several new volunteers join our team at Open last November. They have been an incredible addition to our team, and have brought renewed energy, ideas, and strengths to the organization. So I would like to start off this letter by thanking them for their time and efforts for this cause that’s very dear to me. I am extremely grateful to current and past volunteers, because without their help, the Adja Penda Ba School would not have grown to be the success that is today.
I would also like to thank you, our donors, for your continued support. There are many causes out there and we are honored that you trust and choose us.
If you follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (yes we are keeping up with the times thanks to our wonderful Social Media Chair, Neil), you may have read about our most recent volunteering intern, Susannah. If you have not, this blog is a MUST read. I cannot begin to explain how proud and humbled I am by this young lady’s visit to APB, and I cannot thank her father and her family enough for sharing their incredibly gifted and amazing child with us. She is truly a blessing.
Baax Na: A Study Abroad in Senegal
 On March 26 APB welcomed Susannah, a University of Maryland Education major, doing a study abroad in Senegal. She decided to intern at APB for her last six weeks in the country. The school, its administration and community were all overjoyed and proud that she chose to work with us. Susannah has been our joy and our ears and eyes in Senegal. Just like with the Fennerty’s visit last January, she affirmed that our vision is indeed alive and well, and that we should continue the important work of Empowering Children and Strengthening Communities through Education.
THANK YOU Susannah for sharing your time, talent, and energy with APB and the Nioro community. We will cherish every moment and lesson that you have shared with us.
Susannah’s blog is thoughtful and beautifully written. My personal favorites are ‘Welcome to Nioro’ and ‘Every Child is a Student’. The latter states exactly what we at Open International believe- and that is every child, regardless of where they are born, should have the opportunity and access to a quality education. Please take a moment to read this blog and see what your donations have afforded these children.
Read Susannah's Blog
Recent Events
We had two successful fundraising events this spring.
- Joanne hosted a Book Tea with
 all the book donations that we were unable to ship to Senegal. It was a wonderful time shared with friends, and the cupcakes from longtime supporter and board member Ann were a huge hit.
 My good friend and piano teacher Betty McGonagle, along with her talented studio of young pianists, put on a heart-warming recital in Falls Church, Virginia. I’d like to extend a special thank you to hosts Terri Dunham and Kris Kurtenbach for opening up their beautiful home to us for this event.
Upcoming Events
And now, for what maybe the most exciting event and undertaking our Fundraising Committee has worked on this year...
 West-African instrumentalist Jean-Francis Varre and his band Sahel, will put on a show for us at the Atlas Theater on H Street in Washington, DC.
From the simple beginnings of a two-room school intended for fifty repeating ninth grade girls, Adja Penda Ba has grown significantly and now enrolls over 300 highly motivated students. Each year we added a classroom and expanded to accommodate tenth, through twelfth grades. With continued funding from Open International, APB launched an elementary school with one pre-K and one kindergarten class. First, second and third grades followed, and this current school year we had our very first fourth grade class. Next year we will have our very first fifth grade.
Open International has grown from just a two room school, to a school for over 300 students.
With limited space available, we have to construct a new classroom and hire a new teacher to accommodate these students. Open International needs your help to pay for this project. We hope that you will join us for the Dance for a Cause concert or make a donation so that we can continue to fulfill our goal of providing the children of Nioro a quality education.
Our progress has been amazing and we are grateful for the support we have received from so many different people. We are proud of our students; they are smart, curious and ready to learn. Because of our dedicated staff and supportive parents, our elementary students are learning to read and write at a rate that surpasses most regional schools. None of this would be possible without your continued and generous support.
Donate today and become part of a program that is truly helping the future of the local community in Nioro.
Thank you!
Khady Lusby
Founder and President
Open International
www.openinternational.org
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