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THE BAJA POST
NEWSROOM
SOURCE: PR NEWSMEDIA
APJ Board Chair and NKPR President, Natasha Koifman, hosted the 16th annual Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ) Festival Gala, an intimate event raising funds for education in Haiti and celebrating Dr. Jane Goodall and Rick Mercer. APJ’s Academy for Peace and Justice was built as the very first free high school in Haiti following the devastating earthquake in 2010.
The night began with a beautiful performance by Haitian musician and long-time APJ supporter Paul Beaubrun. APJ Board Members, George Stroumboulopoulos and Kardinal Offishall returned to the stage as emcees for the evening, expressing gratitude for supporters and guests.
Natasha Koifman, Canadian and US Board Chair and Festival Gala Host, opened the evening by commemorating the 16th anniversary of the APJ Gala. She expressed her deep commitment to the cause and heartfelt appreciation for the dedicated supporters in attendance. In her opening remarks, Koifman struck a grateful and somber tone, acknowledging the profound impact made possible in Haiti through the generosity of APJ’s donors.
With the difficult conditions still facing Haiti today, Koifman highlighted the safe haven created for Haitian students through the school built with APJ’s donations from this singular event hosted over the past 16 years. To date, the organization has raised an impressive $36 million, providing education to over 31,000 students since the academy’s opening.Koifman welcomed the evening’s distinguished honorees, Dr. Jane Goodall and Rick Mercer, highlighting their profound impact in inspiring countless individuals worldwide to effect positive change. She emphasized that this year’s proceeds will also benefit the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada, highlighting the shared dedication of both organizations to fostering youth empowerment and resilience.
