Sponsor a Workshop!
Sponsoring a workshop is the best way to directly support the children we serve. By providing money to support an entire workshop, you will receive:
- actual photos from the workshop as soon as it is complete (no more than 3 months after the donation is made),
- personal thank-you note,
- periodic updates on AEI programs, news & activities.
The list of upcoming workshops and the necessary funds to get them off the ground are provided below. AEI is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and all donations are tax deductible.
Batik Workshop
Location: Makeni, Sierra Leone
Instructor: Mohamed Kamara
Cost: $300
This three-day workshop will offer skills training in batik fabric-dyeing for 15 orphaned girls in the township of Makeni, Sierra Leone. Students will learn to design and draw wax patterns, mix and prepare dye, and dip and dry fabrics. As a traditional, practical art of West Africa, batik fabric-dyeing is a useful and lucrative skill that requires vocational training. Once the workshop is completed, students are free to make clothing for themselves with their fabric, sell their wares at the local market, or continue on to complete apprenticeship training.
T-Shirt and Sign Stenciling Workshop
Location: Makeni, Sierra Leone
Instructor: Nathaniel Jones
Cost: $250
This three-day workshop will offer skills training in stencil and print-making, t-shirt and sign screen-printing for 25 orphaned girls and boys in the township of Makeni, Sierra Leone. Students will learn to design, draw, and create stencil patterns, and apply them to clothing and signs. Many AEI students with this training have gone on to open their own businesses that provide printing services for their communities.
A Month of Drama Workshops
Location: Makeni, Sierra Leone
Instructor: Shola Sessay
Cost: $200
This month-long series will offer twice-weekly drama classes for 120 children in the village of Makeni, Sierra Leone. AEI drama workshops focus on children’s rights lessons, HIV and AIDS awareness, and peaceful conflict resolution. In Sierra Leone, many children in foster care are never taught basic hygienic practices and simple safety measures. Additionally, many suffered through a brutal, 11-year civil war that was incredibly divisive. Our drama workshops help children to confront trauma on their own terms, while promoting education and reconciliation.
A Month of Drama Workshops
Location: Daru, Sierra Leone
Instructor: Bockarie Kamara
Cost: $200
This month-long series will offer twice-weekly drama classes for 120 children in the village of Daru, Sierra Leone. AEI drama workshops focus on children’s rights lessons, HIV and AIDS awareness, and peaceful conflict resolution. In Sierra Leone, many children in foster care are never taught basic hygienic practices and simple safety measures. Additionally, many suffered through a brutal, 11-year civil war that was incredibly divisive. Our drama workshops help children to confront trauma on their own terms, while promoting education and reconciliation.
A Month of Embroidery & Crochet Classes
Location: Daru, Sierra Leone
Instructor: Bockarie Kamara
Cost: $150
This month-long series will offer embroidery and crochet classes for 120 children in the village of Daru, Sierra Leone. Embroidery and crochet help traumatized children with focus-building skills in addition to providing a viable opportunity for small income to cover school fees, food and medicine.