During Black History
Month, we celebrate the Africare Story-- made possible by the united efforts of
Africans and Americans working together to improve the lives of families and
communities across every region of the African continent. Our feature Pass it
On! story this month highlights the important role of African governments in
our programs and the unique relationship that we share. It’s told directly by
an official who remembers Africare when our work first began four decades ago.
The year was 1970. A severe drought was spreading across
Western Africa in the nations of Mauritania, Mali, Chad, Niger and Burkina
Faso. Crops could not grow; people and animals were dying; thousands of
villagers fled their homes in search of water. As famine swept the Sahel, President
Hamani Diori of Niger saw the need for a new kind of assistance organization
which would link Africa and America and be a means by which African-Americans,
in particular, could become directly connected with their motherland.
President Diori’s initiative, in collaboration with four
American volunteers, gave birth to Africare: a leader in development assistance
on the African continent. Among the four Americans who answered President
Diori’s call was Dr. William Kirker, a medical doctor who had been working in
Niger. His practice was well known throughout the area – even by a young boy at
the time, Ibrahim Tidjani Katiella, who now serves as Prefet of the District of
Tera.
Here you can read a detailed account of Ibrahim's first experiences with a young Africare and its humble beginnings.
(Click photo above to donate)
Keep the Africare Story going, and Pass It On!
Forward this message on to a friend and make sure they are signed up
to receive Africare's monthly Pass It On! stories Sign up here!
Africare's Approach
Africare helps Africa. A leader among private, charitable U.S. organizations assisting Africa, Africare is also the oldest and largest African-American led organization in the field — and Africa is Africare's specialty. Africare programs are in the following broad areas: health and HIV/AIDS, food security and agriculture, water and sanitation, humanitarian and emergency assistance, environmental management, women's empowerment, literacy and vocational training, microenterprise development, and civil society development and governance.
You can give back AND tell the world how they can help with one of Africare’s color-themed t-shirts! The t-shirts come in a variety of colors and themes that spread the Africare mission. Get your shirt today at www.supportafricare.org
For more information about Africare, visit us on-line at
It's Africare's new campaign to connect YOU to
people overcoming major issues impacting the African continent, issues like
unsafe drinking water, food insecurity, and the growing number of children
orphaned by AIDS.
Each month, the campaign will bring you a new powerful
testimony told directly from the individuals who see, work with, or benefit
from Africare‘s assistance on the ground.Each story is packaged in a format that is
ready to “pass on” to a friend or someone you know through video, social
networks, and even your phone!
