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Features
A Dream in Africa: An Interview with Jacqueline Prairie of GAIO
by Vanessa King
“Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope. It is a bulwark against poverty, and a building block of development, an essential complement to investments in roads, dams, clinics, and factories. For everyone, everywhere, literacy is, along with education in general, a basic human right. Literacy is the road to human progress and the means through which every man, woman and child can realize his or her full potential.”
- Kofi Annan, Ghanaian diplomat, seventh Secretary General of the United Nations, winner of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize
I watched a child today drawing with glorious, creative abandon. Books were strewn about her on the grass with pages open to fantastical designs. She moved with the joy of freedom to wonder, unencumbered by the burdens of the world. I was reminded of my own childhood filled with books that took me to worlds I wanted to visit and people I wanted to help. I remember my seemingly wise uncle who told me, “You’ll get over it, all those dreams of helping the world:.”
Children instinctively know their dreams and passions because they are part of their daily thoughts. There are no boundaries to their imaginations. Children are free to dream no matter where they live, rich or poor. However, reality ultimately begins to set in with its pain and doubt slowly dismantling ideas or imposing restrictions on what can be.
We are lucky here in the West to see dreams as possible and to have avenues in which to explore our ideas, books to learn about our passions, and teachers to guide us. Some children aren’t so lucky. They must imagine without books or places to read them, struggling to keep their dreams alive.
I met a woman recently who is living her own lifelong dream while helping children find their own inspiration. Filled with passion and a love for a people she barely knows (but who have become family to her soul), Jacqueline Prairie has devoted her not-so-spare time to helping build a library on the Gold Coast of Africa. She started with nothing and as her commitment grew, the pieces of her dream came together as she began construction on an immaculately planned building in Akwatia, Ghana. I asked Prairie for an interview to learn about how she began her dream to build a library so far from her IT job in Montreal—with no funds, no initial contacts, and no prior knowledge of Ghana except an inherent understanding and innate connection with its people.
A jewelry designer and Director of Information Technology, Prairie is a mass of wild blonde waves and a wide grin. Her French Canadian accent and flamboyant hello quickly calm after we sit. After we talk awhile, her smile fades and her eyes sadden. “The weeds are growing through the cinder blocks. Construction has stalled.” The pain is obvious that her dream, her calling, and her love of Ghana and its children have needs. For two years she has done so much alone and while so many have assisted, she needs more help. We discussed those needs, her plans, her patience, and more importantly, about the place her heart calls home.
Vision Magazine: How did you start GAIO?
Jacqueline Prairie: GAIO stands for Ghana Africa International Operations. It is the idea of bridging the world.
GAIO came from a long ago dream to help children in Africa. I had traveled on my own through many countries when I was 21 and found that people weren’t able to progress in life with a lack of so many things—specifically schooling. I kept wondering what I could do to help this imbalance in Africa.
Throughout my career, education was a large part of my role in Information Technology. The world seemed to be putting more emphasis on education and that kept bringing me back to the children that I had met in Africa decades before.
VM: What inspired you to choose Ghana?
JP: In early 2008, I decided that I needed to put this thought of helping into action. I was in the research stages when a friend of mine bumped into someone else who was trying to make a difference in Africa. We met and he told me that he had some friends in Ghana. The hardest part of setting something up is finding land. Since he had some contacts, we went to Ghana together in February 2009. And if anyone needs inspiration to go to Ghana, then you must know that it produces the best chocolate!
VM: What is your impression of Ghana and its people?
JP: The Ghanaians are the most respectful and sincere people I have ever met. I have become family so quickly because they invited me in and welcomed me so readily. There is also one particular Ghanaian man who stole my heart on that first trip. We are now engaged, so I guess you could say that I found not only my calling, but a great love!
VM: What inspired you to open the library in Akwatia?
JP: It was a merging of concepts, timing, and meetings. I have always had the wish to help bring education to African children. Ghana is a stable country but Akwatia is a diamond-mining town that has become densely populated due to people traveling there in search of diamonds. The community is impoverished and its resources are very limited.
VM: What will the library do for the community?
JP: The library is situated close to several schools in the middle of the village. It will have books as well as Internet access with approximately 10 stations. The plan is to entice the children and adults alike to come in and gain access to information. The need for emphasizing education to the locals is paramount. There are over 6000 children in the village and the surrounding area who will benefit from this library. Education is not thought of as a priority and this does not help to better the low standard of living. Some of the children are drawn to the concept of finding a big diamond rather than attending classes.
The center will host seminars on various topics including agriculture, gardening, micro-financing, and banking. We are looking into the possibility of having solar power [as the energy source for the building]as well. The thought is to have the local labor force erect the building and learn about solar power at the same time.
VM: Did you have any help here or abroad in starting the center? Are you still looking for help?
JP: While I started this project solo, I was fortunate to meet the Regional Chief of Akwatia, Nana Akwatiahene. During our meeting, I learned that he felt education was a priority but it was not taken seriously by the people in his community. Only 10 years ago, girls in that area did not attend school. This particular Regional Chief changed that and now girls do attend school, although only one percent goes on to high school. Since we both had the same vision, we are now working together to make it a reality. What we need now is to raise money. There are plenty of local craftsman to perform the work (and they need the work) to build the structure, but we need funds to continue to pay them, as well as for the materials. So far we have the land and complete building plans, and construction has started on the foundation. We are at a standstill until we obtain more funding.
Ideally, it would be great if people with expertise in solar power, construction, education, and technology could come over and oversee that part of the project!
VM: How are you raising funds for the center?
JP: The GAIO Web site, gaioenterprises.com, explains the project and has a link for direct donations to help purchase small items such as books and desks, to larger items such as electricity and plumbing. All donations are tax deductible and GAIO is in the midst of becoming a non-profit.
I am planning a fundraising event February 25 in San Diego. We are looking for sponsors at the Diamond, Gold and Cocoa Levels. The sponsors will be announced at the event and they will have the chance to promote to our guests. In addition, their names will be on prominent engraved plaques at the center in Akwatia. I have already confirmed the event to be held at an amazing location called Fixtures in La Jolla, CA (fixtureskb.com), but I am still in need of some donations in the food and wine department. Anyone who donates food will have the chance to cook on premises and showcase their restaurant in Fixtures’ multiple designer kitchens. I have live music scheduled but am still looking for more! During the event, there will be original photographs of the local children for auction and all proceeds will go to the center. We are planning for 300 guests and tickets will be sold on our site for $75 with the goal of raising $90,000 to make the library a modern educational center.
The best part of the evening is that the Regional Chief of Akwatia is planning to be at the event! It is such an honor to have him here and we are lucky to experience this unusual visit from a Chief. We are hoping to find a generous donor to help cover the cost of his flight since he is trying to cover the expenses himself to support the center.
VM: How has your life changed since going to Ghana? Have you felt inspired to do more or change in some way?
JP: Everyday I think about Ghana. How sincere and kind the people are in spite of poverty. I think about ways to help them. I always bring large duffel bags full of clothing but last time I brought vegetable seeds and household items. I keep thinking of people I have met and wish that I could give them $100 toward their little store so they could purchase more stock, or $200 to purchase an oven to bake more goods to sell at the market to survive.
Ghana has this incredible sense of community and spirit of sharing. Everyone helps each other out; therefore, they each have time for one another. Here in the Wild Wild West we seem to always be running and not appreciating each other.
As for me, I feel I have no need to buy anything new. After seeing how little Ghanaians use and need, I try to be less wasteful and more thankful.
VM: What lesson did you receive from your new friends in Ghana?
JP: Exercise patience. Africans have a very different sense of time than we do. That makes you think about what’s really important.
VM: Any final thought or memory of Ghana that holds a special place in your heart?
JP: One story that sticks out is when we were driving past a school. The boys were playing soccer in the schoolyard. Without missing a beat, one boy wearing shoes ran towards another boy without shoes. The first boy took off his left shoe and handed it to the second boy, who placed that shoe on his right foot. They then continued to run off and play the game, each with their “kicker foot” covered. But the most outstanding part is that there were no words exchanged. This simple and profound act was normal for them. We need more of that kind of generosity and thoughtfulness.
To meet Jacqueline Prairie and help finish the library, come to GAIO’s inspirational fundraiser at Fixtures in La Jolla, CA, February 25, 2010. Purchase tickets, donate, or learn more at gaioenterprises.com. Vanessa King has been a massage therapist and freelance writer since 1991. She will be donating $10 to support GAIO’s cause for every one-hour massage she gives. Contact her at vanessaking07@gmail.com.