Arts Education International (AEI) is a nonprofit (Boulder, CO) that provides children in orphanages around the world with educational programs that encourage creative expression.

AEI was founded in 2006 by Sarah Geller and Ali Rapetti following their experiences in orphanages in the Caribbean and West Africa. AEI’s two week art camps emphasize indigenous music and art with the help of local talent.

Currently, AEI hosts programs in Trinidad and Ghana and another program is being planned for Sierra Leone.

The programs provide orphaned and abandoned children with creative outlets, useful skills and fun educational experiences. These workshops, taught by local writers, artists and musicians, enforce a culturally relevant education.

A recent winter camp in Trinidad included lessons in ballet and break-dancing, as requested by the students. Workshops in steel drum performance, acting and improvisation, carnival costume making and painting are also in the program.

In Ghana, students at the Peace and Love Orphanage were taught to use drums, gourd xylophones, bamboo flute, bass drums in a recent workshop. AEI is in the process of purchasing a full set of traditional instruments for the orphanage. Dance lessons are also taught. The members of the Amamwena Drumming and Dance ensemble taught 6 workshops to different groups based on age and ability.

Information on donations, hosting your own AEI Art Drive, program information or artwork from the children is available on their website.