Africa Education Project
“Lack of an education is more costly than an education.”
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The AEP Board of Directors is continuously recruiting passionate individuals who want to use their skills to serve the poor in Africa and to educate Americans about African issues and culture. We invite you to learn more about joining the AEP board.
Our Board of Directors is charged with establishing the overall policy and direction of Africa Education Project. Learn more about the amazing individuals below who tirelessly volunteer their time to ensure the fulfillment of the goals of the Africa Education Project.
Benard Theora, President
Benard Theora is not new to nonprofit work in developing countries. He served for several years as the Director of HOPE Worldwide – East Africa. Mr. Theora attended Punjab University in India and he holds a Master’s degree from the University of Arizona. Mr. Theora also studied at Harvard University in the early 1990s in the Program in Investment Analysis and Management. Because of his pride for his people and development of his people and country he attempted to join Kenya’s Parliament in 1997. Mr. Theora served as the chairperson for Karamu 2004 which was AEP’s most successful event in the organization’s history. He lives in Cary, North Carolina, with his wife and three children, ages 16, 14 and 8. He currently works at Research Triangle Institute (RTI). He brings a wealth of expertise in nonprofit management and leadership to the AEP Board.
Petula Kwende, Secretary
Petula Kwende holds BS and BA degrees from North Carolina State University and a Masters degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She currently works as a consultant nutritionist for a group of long term care facilities in South Carolina. She became involved with AEP first as a volunteer for Karamu 2003 then as a member of the AEP Run for Education in Africa Marathon Team in 2004. She is interested in helping improve the education and health of African youth who due to circumstances beyond their control are unable to become all that God designed them to be. She loves to run, ballroom dance, travel, cook and attend theatrical performances. She is a native of Cameroon. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Elizabeth Theora, Treasurer
Elizabeth Theora studied accounting at Strathmore College, now Strathmore University, located in Nairobi, Kenya. She became a Certified Public Accountant in June 1993. In the late 1990’s she was very active with the international nonprofit HOPE Worldwide – East Africa. While in Kenya she worked in the security service, co-operative and credit industry, as well as the oil industry for 14 years. Mrs. Theora lives in Cary, North Carolina, with her husband of seventeen years and their three children. Mrs. Theora loves reading, taking care of her children and being a disciple of Christ. She strengthens the AEP Board with her financial management skills.
Osemate Isokariari
Osemate Isokariari, a native Nigerian, has been active with AEP since 2002 when he served as co-chair for Karamu 2002 held in Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Isokariari has lived in the US for the past ten years. He holds an Associates of Science (AS) degree in Information Technology from Georgia Perimeter College. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science (BS) degree at Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta, GA. Mr. Isokariari is a veteran of the US Marines Corps.
Dr. Alexandra Lightfoot
Alexandra Lightfoot is the executive director of the Paul Green Foundation which gives grants in the areas of human rights and arts. She is also the director of the Regarding Race project which uses photography as a tool to prepare teachers to teach in culturally diverse classrooms. Over the last 14 years, she has worked to develop resources for teachers and provide enrichment opportunities for students in the Durham Public Schools through her affiliation with the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University. Alex received her doctorate from the Harvard Graduate School of Education where she focused her coursework on schooling for girls in Sub-Saharan Africa. Before graduate school, she taught for nearly two years at a Harambee school for girls in western Kenya. She and her family recently spent a year living in Niger, West Africa.
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