What is Asante Africa Foundation?
Asante Africa Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit charitable organization whose purpose is to empower, facilitate and enhance education and general health of children and families in East African countries. The Foundation was formed and officially incorporated in the state of California in August 2006. Asante Africa Foundation began the application process for 501(c) (3) status in September 2006. While we await IRS approval, our “not for profit” status comes under the 501(c) (3) umbrella of the Tri Valley Community Foundation providing our donors with 100% tax deductions in accordance with all IRS giving laws.
AAF is not affiliated with any religious or political entity or institution. We rely solely on your generous donations to complete projects such as building schools, water lines, and sanitation facilities and sponsoring children’s schooling.
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What is the Asante Africa Foundation vision?
Every child deserves the chance of education regardless of the longitude or latitude in which they are born. Education leads to dreams and a better life for the child, the family and the community.
An educated child can strive to make their dreams become reality, help their families struggle less and help their communities become self sustaining through ideas, knowledge and perseverance.
What is the mission of Asante Africa Foundation?
In the African communities where we partner, Asante Africa Foundation supports educational programs at all levels (children, young adult, and adult) to help local communities evolve by improving education, health, and overall wellness.
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What does the Foundation do in the African communities?
Asante Africa Foundation uniquely forms partnerships with dynamic leaders in African communities, who are passionate and committed to enriching the lives of citizens in their own villages. Working directly with these leaders or program managers, we are able to identify and meet needs such as building infrastructures (ranging from schools, outhouses, sleeping dormitories), child sponsorship, sanitation facilities, porridge for noon day meals, and adult education courses. We are able to meet these needs through direct, generous contributions from Asante Africa donors, thereby empowering the villagers to work independently with the necessary resources.
We fund projects that:
- create safe, healthy places to learn (e.g. building infrastructures, water pipes), as well as health and sanitation (e.g. toilets, daily porridge) and other basic needs such as clothing.
- help teachers be better teachers by providing classroom supplies, enrichment activity supplies, and teacher training materials.
- enable academically talented children to attend schools where opportunities might not otherwise exist (e.g. tuition, boarding fees).
- facilitate lifelong learning and employment development opportunities through advanced education, job training, and possibly through future micro-loans.
- support health and welfare for families to get the most from their education and life.
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In which countries is Asante Africa Foundation operating?
Asante Africa Foundation currently works in the East Africa countries of Kenya and Tanzania. Projects are in Mto Wa Mbu, a small village in the northeast part of Tanzania, and in Narok, Kenya near the border of Tanzania. In the future we hope to expand into other parts of East Africa, but in the next few years we will focus on building our credibility in the communities where we are currently working, and demonstrating to our donors that we are successfully doing what we say we will do.
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How effectively are funds used?
Approximately 90% of donations to Asante Africa Foundation support in-country programs and projects, jointly planned with local program managers. Each of us supporting the Asante Africa Foundation are volunteers, driven and determined to keep the commitments that we make to our in-country partners. As a result, we analyze needs before we commit, aggressively fund raise, and closely measure the results.
2006 was a test of our ability to deliver, and we are proud of the credibility and trust we have begun to establish with our in-country partners and donors in the USA, Europe, and Africa. Our financial statement and 2006 annual report are available in our News & Reports section along with project details and project status.
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What are funds needed for and what are the projects?
We focus on three major Program Areas, with the following sample projects:
- Creating safer places to learn. We assess the needs and distribute funds for building infrastructure (schools, kitchens, dormitories). We improve health and hygiene by bringing clean water sources to schools, providing porridge at noontime, and building adequate sanitation toilets.
- Helping teachers be better teachers. We provide teachers with basic supplies and furniture for the classroom, musical instruments, and learning materials.
- Sponsoring the gift of education. We assist academically talented children get into schools that they might not otherwise have an opportunity reach.
For a full view of various projects we have funded successfully, and our future goals, see our financial statement and 2006 annual report are available in our News & Reports section along with project details and project status.
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How can I donate?
We accept donations by mail or online, using Pay Pal, with the option of setting up a recurring donation from your credit or debit card. We also accept non-cash donations, and gifts of stock certificates. Your donations are fully tax-deductible, and you will be sent a receipt within 30 days of your donation. A list of items needed for non-cash donations and information on how your money can help is in our How you can help section.
Mailing address: Asante Africa Foundation, 1334 Carlton Place, Livermore, California 94550.
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Can I have my company make matching contributions?
Asante Africa Foundation enthusiastically accepts corporate donations. Talk to your company about matching donations, and let us know how we can support completing the process with you. Corporate giving campaigns often begin in late summer, so contact your Human Resources or community benefit department to find out how to include Asante Africa Foundation as an option. Email us at info@asanteafrica.org or call us at 925-292-0245 to make arrangements.
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Can I see how contributions are spent?
Yes. Our financial statement for 2006 is available in our News & Reports section. We fully document results of all of our projects and teams through photos and video, and welcome requests for additional detail. Approximately 90% of your donation goes directly to the programs we are funding in Tanzania and Kenya. Our objective is to keep administration costs as low as possible, and we also recognize the need for a solid infrastructure to support our growth.
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Can I go on a trip with the Foundation? How can I volunteer in Tanzania or Kenya?
Asante Africa Foundation does not offer overseas volunteer opportunities. As a grass-roots, small non profit organization, we have limited financial resources that we devote primarily to community-based projects in Africa. We keep overhead costs to a minimum, and are therefore unable to dedicate resources to adequately manage an international volunteer program, be responsible for volunteers traveling overseas, and manage their work in the field. Our limited staff cannot provide the liaison between the locals and foreign volunteers, which is essential for a positive experience in this region due to language and cultural barriers.
At times, however, we seek volunteers with specific skills to help teach, coach, and leave skills behind in the community. This might include architecture, land surveying, teacher training, and teaching English as a second language. If you have this kind of skill and experience, please contact us to see if we currently need this kind of volunteer.
We encourage the enthusiasm, curiosity, and determination of those who wish to help in the world, and encourage you to pursue opportunities with other international volunteer organizations. Here are a few suggestions, and many more can be found with a browse of the Internet:
http://www.volunteerabroad.com/search.cfm
http://www.globalvolunteers.org
http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org
http://www.volunteer.org.nz
http://www.civilsoc.org
http://www.tanzanianchildrensfund.org
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How can I sponsor a child?
Sponsoring the education costs for children, particularly young girls, is one or our greatest needs. Girls are often forced to undergo genital mutilation, sold for livestock, or raped and become pregnant, so school is not an option.
Asante Africa Foundation raises funds to sponsor students, both girls and boys, for a school year ($500). We sponsor girls and boys who are gifted, eager to learn, and financially challenged. You can sponsor a child even if you live outside of United States. To sponsor a child, go to our How you can help section for information on how to make a donation, and request that your $500 donation be used to sponsor a child. As the school terms begin, we will coordinate enrollment of the children on our waiting list.
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How can I volunteer?
In addition to monetary help, we need support in several other ways. Even if you are unable to donate yourself, you can help conduct a fundraising event, introduce us to key leaders and influencers, spread the word by sharing our newsletter and our website, and you can volunteer your time.
Asante Africa Foundation is completely volunteer-operated. If you are interested in volunteering, complete a Volunteer Application and send it to 1334 Carlton place, Livermore, CA 94550 or email it to info@asanteafrica.org. If you have questions do not hesitate to call us at 925-292-0245.
Ideas for volunteer positions and fund raising options are also available by scrolling down our How you can help section.
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