Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, & The Gambia

In 2023, ASAC was able to donate nearly $36,000 to children and families in need! We were also able to transition to a new board of directors. We recognize that none of our work would be possible without your support.

Under new leadership, ASAC will maintain our focus and will continue to support many previous connections and programs. We also hope to strengthen our ability in helping communities make sustainable investments and choices to become more self-sufficient.

ETHIOPIA

In the past year, we were able to once again support displaced children and families in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia by donating almost $6,900 to help provide food, water, and building supplies. We have ASAC members that regularly travel to Ethiopia to witness the great work that Pochi Seifu does to help youth in Addis Ababa. Our donation was much appreciated, but the needs in Ethiopia continue,with more than 500 displaced families still struggling on a daily basis.

UGANDA

We received a request from Sister Rosemary at the St. Theresa School in Uganda for cattle and piglets to create a means of income generation at their childhood development center. Although we weren’t able to fully fund this request, we were able to send $3,400 to support this important step in self-sufficiency. ASAC is proud of that fact that we have been supporting Sister Rosemary and her mission for several years.

Also in Uganda, were able to send $3,400 to help support the building of a poultry farm at St. Noah’s Mission School. The school was looking to build a chicken coop as well as stock the farm with 1,500 chicks. We weren’t able to fully fund this request, but we were able to send enough money to get the project started.

Many of you have had the opportunity to meet Patrick Ssenyonjo from Raising Up Hope Uganda on one of his visits to Manitowoc in the past. Patrick continues to work tirelessly to support orphans and street children in Kampala, Uganda. ASAC was able to send three different donations - totaling just over $8,100 - to Patrick to feed, clothe, and support street children and orphans at the Bulenga Children’s Home that he runs. The needs in Kamapla continue to grow, but Patrick’s hope never lets up.

KENYA

The Ekambuli Primary School in Kenya reached out with several different needs throughout 2023. They were in need of a well for clean drinking water, chicks and goats to become more self-sufficient, and three motorbikes to aide in transportation of goods as well as to earn income through taxi services. Although we were not able to fund all of these requests, we were able to send $3,400 to Sister Beatrice for use in the most pressing of these needs.

Finally, ASAC received a sizeable donation targeted to support families through sustainable farming training in western Kenya. ASAC member Greg Zahn has worked with farmers in the Rusinga Island Organic Farmers Association (RIOFA) in the past and continues to maintain a connection with farmers in Kenya. The $12,000 in donated funds were used to train farmers in sustainable practices. Due to a major drought, funds were also needed for food donations to avoid hunger and starvation.

THE GAMBIA

ASAC has been working with Isatou Ceesay and Women Initiative the Gambia as well as local schools such as Njau Lower and Upper Basic, St. John’s School for the Deaf, and Govi school for the blind and visually impaired. Although sponsorships for students in the Gambia were placed on hold during lockdowns and Covid-19, those schools are now reopened and sponsorships are requested to help these students continue their education. Future projects of seed donations, a basketball court, and reforestation efforts by young environmental student clubs are also on the horizon.

If any of these projects touch upon your heart, please let us know and we can earmark a donation accordingly. We appreciate your continued contributions as we work together to support youth and families throughout Africa.