Angelique Kidjo delivered the keynote address at the opening of the United States Agency for International Development Africa Regional Education Workshop, which took place June 6 – 9, 2010 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Angelique delivered powerful remarks on the conference theme, Quality Education for All, and emphasized the importance of girls’ secondary education.

More than 150 participants from USAID missions, Ministries of Education, private sector and foundation representatives and implementing partner organizations from over 20 African countries convened in Tanzania to discuss topics and strategies important to creating and sustaining major education initiatives in Africa. Participants all shared successes, challenges, and forged a collective agenda for future programming and action. Alfronso Lenhardt, United States ambassador to Tanzania, stated that “now is the time to break down all barriers preventing girls and women from going to school.”

A total of 10,400 books donated to The Batonga Foundation by FirstBook and the Feminist Press have arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. They have been distributed among a variety of organizations and schools including the new library at Project Mercy in Butajira, the Agazi High School, community center and public library in Adigrat/Tigray, as well as the Batonga Girls Scholarship Program and the Hope for Children Youth Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Included in the shipment was a collection of women’s experiences in Africa throughout history entitled, Women Writing Africa: The Northern Region. Access to books is one of the most important factors affecting literacy in Africa and we are happy to hear that children in Ethiopia have received such educational necessities!

Haydee Djkstal will be running in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 10, 2010. This is her fifth marathon and she is dedicated to raising $2,000 in support of Batonga. ALL of the proceeds will go toward The Batonga Foundation’s secondary and vocational school programs in Sierra Leone.

“My work over the last year has taught me a lot about the work that needs to be done to help rebuild Sierra Leone after its civil war and I’m excited to help the Batonga Foundation in their support of Sierra Leone. I hope you can help me in my fundraising goal. Thanks for the support!”

Donate to support Haydee and Batonga in the Chicago Marathon!

Monica Fuentes and Maureen McGough are taking on the ING New York City Marathon November 7, 2010! This team has pledged to raise $7,500 for the Batonga Foundation! All for Africa, a New York based non-profit, has provided Batonga’s charity slots in the marathon. 100% of the funds raised will benefit Batonga’s mission to provide girls in Africa secondary and higher education.

“Even though we’ve ‘grown up’ and entered the working world, the adventures don’t have to stop! We hope you can support us on our latest journey…every contribution helps in reaching our fundraising goal. We hope to see your laughing faces on race day!”

Donate to help Monica and Maureen reach their goal for Batonga!

The Grobanites for Africa are currently sponsoring an auction in honor of Josh Groban’s birthday.  The proceeds will go to The Josh Groban Foundation to be designated for Batonga!

Angelique toured with Josh on his “Awake” tour in 2007.  Josh and his fans have supported The Batonga Foundation for the past few years, and last year, Josh was named to Batonga’s advisory board.

The goal of this fundraiser is to request sponsorships to help with the educational needs for 83 girls in need from two schools in Sierra Leone in Western Africa (58 girls from Waterloo and 25 girls from Freetown).

The fundraiser will run from February 13-27, with all auction items ending 9-11 pm Eastern Time (6-8 pm Pacific Time) on Saturday, February 27 (Josh’s 29th Birthday). NOTE – The sponsorships for the girls (and buy now items) will run through midnight on Sunday, February 28.

Let’s see if we can get all 83 girls sponsored in honor of Josh’s birthday!

Click Here to Visit the Auction!

Please join us for a very special evening with Batonga Founder, Grammy-winning singer and Unicef International Ambassador, Angelique Kidjo. Angelique will be speaking about Batonga’s mission to support education for girls in Africa, and the immense difference education makes not only in their lives, but in their communities, and for all of Africa. We hope you can be there to share in changing the world for the better, one Batonga girl at a time.

The event will take place Saturday, February 27th from 5-7 pm and will include cocktails and hors d’ouevres, and a very special preview of Angelique’s upcoming CD, “OYO.”

Click here for more Information and to RSVP   Please Note: the RSVP deadline has been extended to February 20th!