January 2017
Dear Sustainers and Supporters,
What a year it has been in the village(s)! So much progress and good news to share. Thank you for allowing us to connect you with these resilient people as they rebuild their lives. They frequently express their profound appreciation for the help that comes from each of you, and we hope you can feel it.
Just to recap, here are a few of the milestones this past year:
In July, the one-year anniversary of the Maternal/Child Health Center, and the 152nd healthy baby delivered.
And, on this side of the Atlantic, some milestones of our own, including:
In Sierra Leone, dry season has begun, so housing and other construction for the year is underway. Braima Moiwai, our Outreach Director, has just returned from an inspection visit to the village, and plans to go back in June. There are challenges ahead – the recently-harvested rice crop was poor, which will mean a longer “hungry season” this year. And our grant proposal for a covered marketplace was delayed by the Embassy until the coming year, though there is plenty of preparation work to be done.
Thank you again, each one, for your generosity in supporting all that the villagers are doing to provide a better future for their families. No matter the size and form, your continued support and belief in them changes the lives of hundreds -- in fact, thousands -- of people each year.
Sincerely,
Steve Cameron
Founder, Director, Friend
www.africayes.org
Dear Sustainers and Supporters,
What a year it has been in the village(s)! So much progress and good news to share. Thank you for allowing us to connect you with these resilient people as they rebuild their lives. They frequently express their profound appreciation for the help that comes from each of you, and we hope you can feel it.
Just to recap, here are a few of the milestones this past year:
In July, the one-year anniversary of the Maternal/Child Health Center, and the 152nd healthy baby delivered.
- Construction of: (a) forty more houses in eight villages, (b) a three-room addition to the Health Center, (c) two additional classrooms for the school, and (d) a building for the rice milling machine purchased last year.
- Fifteen new entrepreneurs added to the Micro-Credit Program, for a total of sixty-six.
And, on this side of the Atlantic, some milestones of our own, including:
- The addition to our dynamic volunteer staff of the multi-talented Daniel Green as Development Officer, resulting in many upgrades to our social-media presence and organizational infrastructure.
- Expansion of our Board of Directors with the arrival of Cheryl Mitchell-Olds and Dr. Haddy Njie, and their enthusiastic energy.
- Our first two interns, Sandra Reinisch and Milica Lakobrija, and their contagious desire to make a difference in the world.
- Wonderful support from our sustainers and donors, who contributed over $12,000 to village projects.
- Multiple events, such as our booths at the Scrap Exchange’s Community Fair and Durham’s Center Fest, our joyous Celebration event in October, presentations to four of Dr. Njie’s classes at NC State, our participation in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church’s Advent Gift Fair, and a holiday presentation at Carol Woods Retirement Community.
In Sierra Leone, dry season has begun, so housing and other construction for the year is underway. Braima Moiwai, our Outreach Director, has just returned from an inspection visit to the village, and plans to go back in June. There are challenges ahead – the recently-harvested rice crop was poor, which will mean a longer “hungry season” this year. And our grant proposal for a covered marketplace was delayed by the Embassy until the coming year, though there is plenty of preparation work to be done.
Thank you again, each one, for your generosity in supporting all that the villagers are doing to provide a better future for their families. No matter the size and form, your continued support and belief in them changes the lives of hundreds -- in fact, thousands -- of people each year.
Sincerely,
Steve Cameron
Founder, Director, Friend
www.africayes.org