Over 95% of women in Tanzania are unable to finish their high school education. But Elizabeth David will not be one of them. Elizabeth was recently given the rare opportunity to improve her own future and to use her story to encourage other girls, as well. That, and so much more, was made possible by She’s the First, which recently sponsored a benefit concert, GIRLS WHO ROCK, with the profits going toward AfricAid’s Kisa Project. Held in New York City on June 10th, the concert raised enough money to sponsor six one-year high school scholarships that will be given to three Tanzanian girls to carry them through a full two-year Kisa leadership program.AfricAid was chosen as the concert’s beneficiary in honor of its new Kisa Project, a ground-breaking initiative that enrolls girls in leadership training and digital storytelling workshops, where they learn to share their lives with their sponsors through rich, vivid videos. Seventeen Magazine was in attendance to capture the red carpet events with interviews and photos of the evening’s many amazing performers, including MoZella and Kat DeLuna. If you couldn’t be there in person, or watch the live feed, you can see the wrap video here. The concert generated such a great deal of publicity that Glamour Magazine featured GIRLS WHO ROCK on their online blog, and Media Global, a United Nations publication, also published an article on the event and the work of AfricAid in Tanzania.

Kisa Adventures: A Summer Challenge

This summer AfricAid will be hosting a Summer Challenge for Youth in Colorado, and across the United States. Kisa Adventures: A Summer Challenge will empower young people and show that they can make a difference, raise awareness and funds for the Kisa Project and AfricAid, and help to empower young women in Tanzania. Learn more about the Summer Challenge, including how to sign up, here.

On My Way to School Now Available for Sale

AfricAid and First Person Publishing announce the release of On My Way to School to support improvements at Losinoni Primary School in northern Tanzania. Written in collaboration with 61 Losinoni students and illustrated by Penny Weber, the book gives American children a colorful glimpse into Losinoni students’ multiple mile trek to school from their remote village. All proceeds from sales of On My Way to School will support AfricAid’s ongoing projects at Losinoni Primary School in Tanzania.

Click here to see a short film about one young man in particular, that also draws upon the narratives of dozens of other students in the village. A common proverb unites this community in the understanding that their lives have been enriched by relationships that are as constant as the mountains that surround them.

Head here to purchase copies for the children in your life. It’s a gift that gives back!

Greg Mortenson Endorses and Launches AfricAid’s New Kisa Project

On September 20^th, Greg Mortenson, New York Times #1 best-selling author of “Three Cups of Tea” and Nobel Peace Prize Nominee, joined a gathering of AfricAid supporters in order to help launch its new girls’ scholarship and leadership program,the Kisa Project at Red Rocks Amphitheater. During the event, Greg gave a resounding and heart-felt endorsement of the new AfricAid program, speaking about his deep commitment to girls’ education in both Central Asia and East Africa, and announced a $10,000 donation to help launch the Kisa Project, which AfricAid will initiate in January of 2010. For more information about the event, visit our Events page.

The Origins of AfricAid

AfricAid’s origins date back to 1996 when its founder, Ashley Shuyler, traveled to Tanzania with her family at the age of 11. Struck by the poverty she saw while there, particularly among children her own age, she became determined to do something to help. She soon learned that 95% of girls in Tanzania are not able to complete a high school education – mostly because they cannot afford the school fees. And from her own educational opportunities, she realized that education has the power to uplift individuals and entire communities. So in 2001, Ashley formed AfricAid, with the mission of supporting girls’ education in Africa in order to provide young women with the opportunity to transform their own lives and the futures of their communities. Since its inception in 2001, AfricAid has raised over $800,000 in its mission to support girls’ education in Africa.

Real Change, One Girl at a Time

About Us

-The mission, the need, the history and more.

Programs

- Explore the different ways AfricAid is changing the face of education in Africa.

Events

- Check out upcoming events.

Get Involved

- Find out how you can get involved with helping girls’ education in Africa!

Media

- Videos, awards, newsletters, and media coverage.

Blog

- Stay in the loop with our founder and interns!