Letter from the President

This year, many of us are facing challenging times and have concerns about what our own futures may hold. I can tell you, even in this adversity, the sense of hope and opportunity of what we can accomplish as a global community is brighter than it has been in a long time. Members of the Asante Africa leadership team and I witnessed this first-hand in Tanzania and Kenya on our most recent trip in December. That hope and optimism comes as a direct result of your generosity and support.

This was one of the most rewarding trips thus far. We began to see the fruits of our labor and the results of our partnership philosophy. The journey has taken us from two girls starting school in 2007 to 84 students, with smiles on their faces and backpacks loaded with books for the '09 school year. We have gone from one small nursery school in Tanzania to working with over 12 schools across Kenya and Tanzania. We have improved the lives of over 8,000 students. WOW.

In Tanzania, We participated in several celebrations of recently completed projects including the opening of Mwalimu Anna Academy. (Definitely check out the video, your heart will smile).

Thanks to a textbook grant provided by Crosswinds Church in Dublin, CA, we purchased and delivered close to 1000 textbooks and teachers aids (including chalk, calculators and rulers) for the Makayuni Primary School.

In Kenya, we witnessed fantastic progress of six classrooms at Jeremy Academy, and the ground up construction of the Enkinteng Lepa Primary School in Maji Moto. (Enkinteng Lepa was the focus of Asante Africa's fall fundraising efforts with our Maasai friends, Hellen and Sabore.)

In both countries, we shared the good news that we would be funding several new grants for teachers' houses, toilets, water tanks, and kitchens across four regions and many schools. Asante Africa continues to grow as a recognized partner in the villages and communities where we work.

In 2009, we need your help more than ever. As we struggle with our economy in the USA, the struggle in Africa becomes more acute. Now more than ever, our partners look to us to assist the children with uniforms, shoes, daily meals and the basics for school attendance. We have a goal of adding 20 more students over our existing 83, starting the next cluster of classrooms at Mwalimu Anna Academy, and teachers houses to build at 4 school sites. As an organization we are committed to doing all we can do in the worst of times, and we continue to need your help.

As I reflect on the positive life changes that have resulted from the last two years of energy and effort, I hope that you are also touched by the hope, optimism and life opportunities that spring from this work. Asante Africa Foundation remains committed to our need to team and work through local community leaders in Tanzania and Kenya and our belief that we can provide quality education to the children of East Africa. As always, we will continue to operate efficiently and with discipline, to ensure that our results are reflected in projects that create safe, healthy places to learn, help teachers be better teachers, and enable motivated and talented children to attend school. Because of you, past dreams are now becoming realities.

Asante Sana (Many thanks )

Erna Grasz

Founder and CEO

Mwalimu Anna Academy Celebrates Grand Opening

During the November grand opening and blessing ceremony of the Mwalimu Anna Academy, members of the Asante Africa leadership team were guests of honor...... Read More

Asante Africa Gives Nchaishi School A Strong Start

The small Maasai village of Nchaishi, in Kenya's Maji Moto region, has received a grant from Asante Africa Foundation to help bring quality education to more than 200 primary school children in this very remote community... Read More

Small Change Can Bring Big Changes

When faced with big problems, it's often easy to assume that only big solutions will make a difference. But one California school showed that small children armed only with the change from their piggy banks and grand ambitions can make a big difference... Read More

Asante Africa's Student Scholars:A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

In January, mailings were sent to each Asante Africa Foundation student scholarship donor with information about the recipient of their scholarship. Each package included the student's name, age, grade level and the school they attend, and other background information. With this enhanced scholarship coordination program, scholarship donors are now able to send letters to their student recipients through Asante Africa... Learn more about providing a student scholarship. (PDF)

Enkiteng Lepa Primary School – You Made It Happen!

The four classroom school and 56 bed dormitory are now completed and the teachers houses will begin soon.This project was a collaborative effort partnership between the Polish Foreign Ministry, A Polish Not-for-Profit organization (Simba Friends), our Maasai Community leaders and Asante Africa Foundation. It was a day of celebration on January 6th, when the doors opened and preschool began for the Maasai children.

Last fall, Maasai partners Hellen Nkuraiya and Sabore Ole Oiye spent several weeks in the San Francisco bay area fundraising with Asante Africa. Much of this effort was focused on finding funds to build the Enkinteng Lepa School. Now, the dreams of Asante Africa and our Maasai friends have become reality.

Volunteer Spotlight: Alisa Bonsignore

When it comes to mastering the art of the written word, Alisa Bonsignore is an Asante Africa superstar. Her volunteer stint began in 2008, and she quickly became one of the key people who help us get the word out about Asante Africa's great work.

"Asante Africa appeals to me because I know I can make an impact," Alisa remarks. To be sure, her impact has been considerable. She's made her mark on our 2007 annual report, newsletters and other writing and editing projects. "Children and education are both big commitments for me," she continues. "And this organization isn't so large that I feel lost. Sometimes that can stifle volunteers. The projects are real, I know where I'm needed and I can see how my work is important."

When she's not helping out the foundation, Alisa is a freelance writer and editor specializing in both the high tech and healthcare sectors, and once held the title, "Senior Marketing Goddess" at a tech company, with the business cards to prove it. In her consultant role, she clarifies complex ideas and delivers branding, corporate messages, white papers and other marketing focused communications to large and small corporate clients. Alisa is also mom of two and a half year-old Evan, which is another full-time adventure. An east coast transplant, she grabs every chance to enjoy the outdoors as a self-admitted fitness fanatic, and once owned a pilates studio in the south bay.

When asked what advice she would give to potential volunteers, Alisa says "In a small organization, there's probably a need for whatever skill you bring. With a little time and patience, you can find the way that you can help."