A Partner in Education
US Friends of APIE
Friends of APIE Inc. is a registered 501(c)3 organisation, founded with the purpose of supporting APIE's mission: to facilitate the delivery of sustainable, locally-led programmes of teacher training, accelerating progress towards fully inclusive, quality education in Rwanda.
Much of what we have done so far could not have been achieved without the wonderful and generous support of our US friends and donors. We could not have come this far without you.
Friends of APIE 2021 annual accounts can be seen here.
US Friends of APIE
Heather Randall
Chair
Heather began working with APIE in 2018 and has developed an in-school arts programme for Umubano Academy. Heather works in the theatre in New York City in various sectors including producing, philanthropy, fundraising and governance. She is a board member of New York Theatre Worksop, Theatre Communications Group and Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre. She is Chair of the Tony Randall Theatrical Fund which provides support for non-profit theatres and theatre-related organisations in the US and UK. She received a BFA in Drama at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Therese Lee
Administrative and Development Associate
Therese's background includes seven years as an administrative assistant at the J. Paul Getty Museum, including two years as the Assistant to the Director, John Walsh. She also previously worked as a marketing director and red carpet reporter for a small media company in Los Angeles. Currently, Therese is performing her new cabaret act, "Riding the Bus to the Red Carpet" in California. The show has also recently had its New York debut at the Triad Theatre.
Cal Shook
Treasurer
Cal is a writer and editor living in New York City. She is also a sailboat captain, and for years she worked as a teacher, often abroad. Her background is in the performing arts, with a focus on theatre for social change. But her greatest joy is her two children, who are growing up much too fast.
Maurie Harlan
Financial Adviser
Maurie is a retired Certified Public Accountant. She held management roles in large multinational companies, midsized family businesses and small entrepreneur start-up operations. Her idea of fun is preparing tax returns, travelling, and playing bridge mah-jongg or golf with friends. She lives happily in Vero Beach, Florida with her husband Mark.
James Wright
Secretary
James is a San Francisco based therapist, focusing on children and families. He worked for a county mental health agency for 25 years and has simultaneously been in private practice for 35. He has served on UCSF Art for AIDS board and served as President of the Board for San Francisco AIDS Services for 10 years. His hobbies include art, visiting museums and travelling.
Alexander Star
Trustee
Alexander is an Emmy-nominated recording artist, songwriter, performer, and social impact activist based in South Florida, USA. His work in the field of world change has brought his musical performances to 10+ countries, gotten him to perform inside the United Nations five times, and earned him the title IMPACT ARTIST amongst his peers. Mr. Star performed at Umubano Academy with his song "Show Me The Way," a cultural collaboration with Rwandan superstar Andy Bumuntu, promoting peace & humanity in a post-genocide nation.
Long time supporter from the US, Dewey Shay, visits Umubano School with another supporter, Sarah Havens of the Lef Pillon Trust, to see the impact of their contributions. Pictured here (L-R), Dewey with Trustee and supporter Lucy Newmark; Head Teacher of Umubano School Jean de Dieu Dusingize; APIE founder and supporter Brooks Newmark; and Sarah Havens. Dewey and his wife Cal have supported APIE for three years, allowing the school and its programmes to develop consistently and sustainably.
Every relationship and every dollar is so valuable to us, helping to make our vision of quality education for every child in Rwanda a reality.
Please, join us in this journey and become a partner in education today. Donate online through Paypal or get in touch to find out how else you can support our work.
Alexander Star, introduced to APIE by US-based theatre director Heather Randall, rehearses his new song, 'Show Me the Way', with the students of Umubano School in preparation of their performance at the annual Ubumuntu Festival in Kigali. Working in partnership across continents allows for a rich and diverse life at the school whilst also facilitating amazing opportunities for development for both students and staff. Watch the video of the performance here, and see Alexander's music video, featuring Umubano School here.
