In Africa

Small Expeditions has provided the AAFC with an opportunity to extend the AAFC Aftercare Program in Ghana, West Africa.

Solomon Boakye, pictured in the black shirt, is the Director of Small Expeditions and the AAFC Aftercare Program in Ghana. In this photo, Solomon is presenting a group of students in the Asanti Region of Ghana with sporting equipment for their after school soccer program. Books, clothing and food were also donated by Nike, Small Expeditions, The AAFC and Scholastic Books.

In March, 2009 the AAFC will begin aftercare programs within two schools and three orphanages in Ghana, Mali and the Congo. AAFC representatives are currently in these countires setting up programs for the youth. Our goal is to provide students and their communities with the necessary resources to
improve their health, education and environment. There is a great need for food, clothing and educational supplies (books, computers, pens, pencils, etc.). We are raising money to provide health screenings for children in the orphanages and for the installation of water pumps in their communities.

The picture to the right shows one orphanage which houses over one hundred children from newborn to age 18. The majority of them are toddlers and pre-teens. Most of them have lost their parents to HIV/Aids or have been abandoned by a parent or family member who could no longer care for them.

The cost to run an orphanage of this size is very expensive and they depend upon donations and assistance from organizations like Small Expeditions and the AAFC. There are normally six to ten adults who run an orphanage of this size. Two of them are pictured below with Martin Small, (left) Founder of Small Expeditions and Terrell Mitchell, (far right) Small Expeditions Board Member. To tend to the basic needs of the children, the adults often have to travel sixty to eighty miles one way. This particular orphanage farms on their own land, growing their own produce to prepare their daily meals. Transportation is not consistent and there is often monthly gaps between the time they are able to travel to get medical supplies, food and other necessities for the children.

As the AAFC mantra states “The Future is in Our Hands.” We all must take a proactive role in helping those who are truly in need. We are extending our hand to you to ask for your assistance in making a difference in the lives of ALL children. Your donations will enable us to provide continued support to these children and help them build the necessary tools to achieve a brighter future.

Kindly make a donation below to the AAFC to help fund our African initiative. Donations of $25.00 or more will receive an eco friendly AAFC shirt.