Message from one of our newest Board Members

My husband and I traveled to Tanzania in 2006. It was a "bucket list" trip to go on safari and climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak. That climb was the hardest thing I've ever done and permanently shifted my perspective on tenacity and personal limits. But it was the people I met in Tanzania that have had the more lasting effect on me.

There was the waiter who poured out his frustration with parents who had more children than they could afford to educate, and swore that he would save every penny he earned to finish school and break the cycle of poverty. I was humbled by the man who intercepted my village tour to ask for help when he heard I was a "marketing expert." He wanted to market crafts to raise funds to educate the children in his village.

And then there was Dennis, our safari guide, who later introduced me to Asante Africa Foundation, and currently serves on the board in Tanzania. Apart from absolutely charming everyone with his twinkling eyes and funny stories, he shared his homeland and his culture. As the oldest child, he left school to help support his family. But he was determined to finish his education. We stayed in touch via email, and I was so proud of him when he shared first that he was going to college, later that he had been elected student body president, and finally that he was graduating with honors, and starting his own tour company. That man has climbed my life-changing mountain more than 200 times, yet he's most proud of his education.

I was so moved by the power and meaning of education in the lives of the Tanzanians I met. What we take for granted is immeasurable treasure to them. As passionate as I am myself about the power of knowledge, I knew I wanted to help them transform their world. And so here I am. I recently joined the Board of Directors, along with Paru Yusuf, Heward Jue and Nancy Battey. I am honored and excited to do whatever I can to help.

In this issue you will meet our 2012 scholars. Many are orphans, or are being raised by single parents, some have run away to escape early marriages--- but all are driven by their determination to achieve their education goals and life dreams. Most aspire to help people – as lawyers, doctors, engineers, and as teachers, because teachers are the people who have most influenced their own young lives.

I am proud to be part of a team that will help transform the worlds of these shining young stars who ask for nothing more than the opportunity to realize their potential. Asante Sana, for making it possible.

Monica Hahn

2012 Asante Africa Scholars

Meet our 2012 Student Scholars! Through their tenacity, motivation and determination to reach their ultimate potential, 23 new students have received a scholarship for the 2012 school year! ... Read More

2011 Leadership Academy: Unveiling the Leader Within

Leaders aren't always elected or created in a crisis. Sometimes they go through a transformative experience before realizing their leadership abilities. At Asante Africa Foundation's 2011 Leadership Academy students discovered they already had the tools to create their dreams and the will to realize their leadership potential. ... Read More

Second Graders Unite For Uniforms !!

It may have been 8:15am on a chilly November morning, but warm hearts and keen spirits were in abundance at Grattan Elementary School located in San Francisco, CA.
Equipped with water bottles and hand made pep bracelets, 62 second grade students, three teachers and nine parents began their day with a walkathon around the block to raise school uniform money for children in Kenya. ... Read More

Our first English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher Training Workshop

What is one of the biggest challenges that young Tanzanian students face? As Tanzanian students move out of primary school and into secondary, the medium language of instruction changes abruptly from Kiswahili to English. With little or no opportunity to transition in between, most students have neither the opportunity nor the means with which to experience and utilize English effectively to ensure their academic success in an all-English classroom. ... Read More

Spotlight on Youth

Rachel Frank is a high school student from Lafayette, CA who has been working with Asante Africa Foundation as a special projects intern for the past year. Rachel's creative contributions and dedication make her the focus in this month's Spotlight on Youth series. ... Read More

Miranda Newman — Auction Team Lead

Asante Africa Foundation would not be successful without its core team of devoted volunteers who give their time to support Asante Africa's cause. As we grow, many of our exemplary volunteers have grown with us. One such volunteer has gone beyond the call of duty to make our fundraising celebration a success! This year we are proud to recognize our Auction Goddess, Miranda Newman. ... Read More