Our Mission:
“To overcome, through education, the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS upon the widows and orphans of sub-Saharan regions of Africa.”
Founded in 2007, ABCs For Africa (formerly The Missouri Project for Africa, or "MOPFA") endeavors, through charitable donations, to help equip and sustain small, private African schools. As most people are aware, the HIV virus is endemic and epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, our particular interest is in those schools that provide education and housing to widows, orphans and families that are affected by HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. These schools usually face chronic under-funding. That fact, coupled with government-mandated standards means that these small schools need assistance, both monetary and logistical, in order to thrive. It is our goal to raise awareness of these schools by organizing “sister-school” programs with U.S.-based schools, and to organize fund-raising activities on their behalf. ABCs will solicit donations on behalf of these African schools. ABCs will provide short-term and long-term business planning for these schools so that they may become self-sustaining.
"We realize that for an individual to become self-supporting and successful, education is a proven way out of poverty."
JAMBO !!!
We have most recently worked with a private African school, endeavoring to support their ability to educate orphans and widows. We have recently suspended our support of this particular school. An explanation of our decision follows this introduction.
Update: Spring 2012
To All of our Wonderful Supporters:
First of all, we at ABCs For Africa want to wish you and yours a wonderfully happy and safe Holiday Season!
As a Non-Profit organizer, and a supporter of other Non-Profit endeavors not related to our own, we realize that there are many organizations soliciting for your support, especially this holiday time of year. We have no expectations that our cause will be judged more important than what you, personally, consider a priority in your seasonal donation budgeting. What we do hope is that you will see our cause as a worthy one; one worth at least a second look. Please keep ABCs For Africa in mind as you make your list for this holiday season.
As a short review of our current situation, I ask that you read the following letter which was included in a recent update on this website...
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July 2010:
As I sit here to compose this letter, I can’t but think about how we got to this point in our short history. The spark that ignited our desire to “do good” on behalf of orphans and widows affected by HIV/AIDS, was our visit to Meru Peak School (MPS) in Tanzania in 2007. This was, initially, a simple inquiry into a possible part-time volunteer teaching position for my wife, Duane Ann Decker. She wanted to not only teach in a classroom setting, but also to conduct HIV/AIDS prevention courses. We saw the need that Meru Peak had for my wife's talents and desires, but we saw something else. We saw the need to help this small, struggling rural school. And so our goal became so much more.
As of this writing, we have raised nearly $20,000 in our quest to help MPS become a self-sustaining, viable place of education. You all have played a great role in that objective. We have also had the privilege of working with a young lady, Marissa Lipovsky, who was, until recently, serving as a volunteer teacher and business manager at MPS. She arrived with great enthusiasm for her duties, not least of which was to ascertain the financial “big picture” of the way the school conducts its business, and to modify their system to ensure success. During her break at the holiday season last year, she completed and submitted a report to our Board of Directors. It was a blunt and honest assessment of the school’s current condition. There were many flaws and challenges found. This did not deter any of us from helping to implement the needed changes. The report also held out the hope for a well run, fiscally stable learning institution. But this would only happen if change could be implemented.
Upon her return in January, Marissa learned of some unauthorized use of the school’s general fund. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that there had been more than one such violation of the financial controls that we thought were in place and that were well understood by their management and staff. It has become apparent that we are no longer able to ensure that these financial controls are honored. It is with great sadness that we at ABCs for Africa have decided to discontinue our support of Meru Peak School. This decision has not come without a great deal of thought, and, quite honestly, a good amount of hand-wringing on our part. We feel that we no longer have the cooperation of the individuals that control the school’s finances. Nor are we able to get the necessary restructuring of the financial “chain of command.” We have made our position clear to the management of Meru Peak School, but to no avail.
On a brighter note, there are many more schools that need our help. We are currently in the process of finding a suitable candidate school, and proceeding in our stated mission, “To help small private African schools not only survive, but thrive.” It is my hope that you will continue to support us in our work, and that you realize this setback in no way diminishes our desire to “do good.”
Lastly, please know that we not only have a strong desire to make sure that your donations are used wisely, but also to always be candid and honest with all of our supporters. Thank you again for your support and understanding.
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And now with regards to our current situation: I believe it has become one of opportunity, not of heartbreak. Until very recently we had been in talks with another nonprofit organization (NPO) that has been doing remarkable, and remarkably similar work in Tanzania. I can only say that we were excited by the prospect of possibly partnering with them in a building project that would allow our respective organizations to continue its pledge of support and education in Tanzania. Unfortunately, this idea did not bear fruit. The individual we were in contact with has recently informed us that their organization has put this particular project aside for the foreseeable future. So we are now seeking again a project, and/or organization that we believe will merit our participation. We are also soliciting ideas from our friends and supporters around the globe. If you feel that you have a project or idea that you would like for us to consider, we welcome your thoughts and ideas. We may not have gotten what we desired from our first attempt at "doing good", but we have, without a doubt, gained much experience in the process. It was not from lack of trying. Of course we must declare our hearfelt thanks to our donors, without whom this organization would not exist. We at ABCs For Africa have also made contributions, and those come in many forms; putting in long hours, trips to Tanzania, and our own personal finanacial resources to work in our quest to make a difference at Meru Peak School. Of course we all had hopes for a different outcome, but it was not to be. This setback is not without its lessons, however. We have gained experience. To quote the late Randy Pausch, author of "The Last Lecture"... "Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."
Lastly, I'd like to include a quote from another author and activist, Irshad Manji:
"Practice the first lesson of human rights: just because a problem doesn't affect you personally, doesn't mean it ceases to exist."
I literally carry this quote in my pocket at all times. It is there to remind me of the effect one person can have on another, even though that recipient may never know their benefactor.
For those of you still interested in helping our organization in its stated mission, please contact us at the email address below.
Again, thank you for visiting!!!
Sincerely Yours,
William Crawford, President
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As with any Non-Profit, we rely on your contributions to keep our programs funded. We are proud to say that less than 5% of what we receive is used for operating expenses. We pledge to do our utmost to maintain that record.
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For further information about our work, you may email us at:
ABCs For Africa is a registered 501(c)3 Non-Profit organization.
Your contributions are tax-deductible to the amount allowed by law.
© 2012 ABCs For Africa