2020 was a year like no other, yet our supporters continued to show up in a multitude of ways. It’s because of you that the African Impact Foundation not only survived the challenges, but grew a little bigger and is ready to make more impact in 2021 - thank you.
The impact you made has been showcased in our 2020 Annual Report - read it here!
We are going through an exciting transition to make an even deeper impact to alleviate poverty in Southern and Eastern Africa. Adapting our efforts, together with our existing community partnerships and programs, we will be working more closely with youth to encourage ownership over their choices, and provide pathways for a prosperous future.
We want to see young people, especially girls, have access to more opportunities and grow their skills to create a sustainable life for themselves, their families, and their communities.
As such a huge part of our impact family, we hope that you will continue on this journey with us. Thank you so much for investing in positive change for those who need it most.
As if it couldn't get any harder, the past year has been extremely difficult for girls worldwide. Research estimates that as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, 20 million girls in developing countries may never return to school.
To help fight this, we are equipping girls to choose their own pathways to become healthy, positive and prosperous leaders in Livingstone, Zambia through The Girl Impact (TGI) program.
32 grade six girls from Linda Community School gather every Tuesday morning to spend time with Audrey, our TGI Liaison. In recent weeks they have learnt about self-esteem, leadership, active listening, and pubic speaking. In the weeks coming, they'll be learning about teamwork, goal setting, hygiene, and puberty. It's all a part of the six TGI pillars: self-confidence, health, early pregnancy, education, safety, and income generation.
We believe we can only make a real difference in the lives of girls when, and if, boys and men understand issues around gender equality. 34 grade six boys also meet with Audrey weekly for workshops and activities that teach them how to uplift the girls in their school, homes, and community.
We're building a community centre in Livingstone to give more girls and boys access to our programs. We are so grateful for everyone who has contributed to the centre - the land has been purchased and we are now fundraising to start construction. With your help, we can reshape gender perspectives and achieve greater equality.
There's more work to do. Continue to build a better future for girls: invest in the community centre today!
Your support this year has allowed us to stay present in the communities we work with and provide children, families and local buisnesses with COVID-19 relief support. We are so excited to announce that we have also resumed our gender equality workshops. All because of you! We can't thank you enough!
Our focus for 2021 will be on the community centre, however school closures due to COVID-19 have affected children across the world, that’s why this month we have been focusing on getting children in Zambia back to school!
Our Sponsor a Child program matches a generous donor with a child in Livingstone, Zambia that otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity to go to school. Their sponsor pays for their school fees for a year, a uniform, school bag, pair of shoes and all necessary school supplies. A portion of the fee also goes into a fund to improve the quality of education for all students at their school.
A recent report suggests that for the first time in almost 30 years, girls are more, not less, at risk of child marriage. Many girls in Livingstone will not be able to return to school in January if they don't receive sponsorship.
"I came to Livingstone because mom and dad could not afford to pay for my education and I stay with my mother’s sister who is responsible for my fees, though her income is very low she can’t pay for my school fees next year because the fees for grade eight are higher than her income. She struggles now to pay and buy food for us. I want to fulfil my dreams of becoming a doctor and help my family and the community." - Livingstone Student, Grade 7
Learn more about our Sponsor a Child program and how to get involved here!
We can't thank you enough for being in our circle of change. Nothing we do would be possible without your support.
Sending you positivity, love and appreciation this holiday season! We look forward to making an impact alongside you in 2021.
Dear Impact Fam,
Like everywhere, it has been a very challenging time in Southern and Eastern Africa. However, it’s because of the generosity of our donors that we have been able to quickly adjust our plans and continue supporting our communities and teams. Thank you for showing us that it’s possible to make impact from anywhere in the world. We are so for your undying support, whether near or far.
This fight is long from over - daily COVID-19 cases across the continent are still rising, but we hope with you by our side that we will be able to make it through anything that comes our way. To continue helping our communities and teams, please make a donation here.
In the past 5 months, we have:
THANK YOU, a million times over!
Ps – Have you read our 2019 Annual Report yet? The stories in this little book of impact remind us that there is so much to fight for beyond this pandemic. Check it out here!
To Our African Impact Foundation Family,
I hope this message finds you healthy and happy. It is difficult to stay positive during these tough times, however I myself have gotten through this time by thinking about the incredible impact you have all made and will continue to make on the people and environment across the African continent.
For a lot of the communities we work with, there is unfortunately a lack of awareness around how contagious and serious the virus is, and everyone's susceptibility to it. A lot of lost jobs is leading to an increase in food insecurity, and little access to healthcare is concerning for many.
African Impact has had to go into a temporary hibernation due to travel bans, however the Foundation is committed to staying present in the communities by continuing critical activities and providing COVID-19 support - handing out disinfectant packages, setting up hand washing stations, continuing nutrition programs, translating information posters into local languages, and keeping in touch with beneficiaries via telephone where possible.
To better support organizations, GlobalGiving has recently modified their Terms and Conditions to allow us to use any unspent donations from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020 on our most urgent needs during this difficult time. With a shift in priorities and situation, we hope to use the money raised to re-hire staff on the ground to carry out critical activities under the Foundation while African Impact is in hibernation.
Your support means so much to us and we look forward to continuing this journey with you. To say thank you, we wrote a little song for you: Watch the video here!
Kind regards,
Sarah Nielsen
African Impact Foundation
Impact Manager
PS – We’ve created a Foundation Facebook Group to stay connected, spread positivity, and share project updates. Come join the fun!
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