Founded 2007 Location Washington, D.C. | Founder Angélique Kidjo | |
Type Educational Charity No. 501(c(3) Area served Benin
Cameroon
Ethiopia
Mali
Sierra Leone Key people Angélique Kidjo
Jean Hebrail
Mary Louise Cohen
John R. Phillips | ||
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.
Contents
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.
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.
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. 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. Batonga's current countries of focus are Benin, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Mali and Sierra Leone.