ASAP Africa Winter Newsletter

Please click here to read ASAP's winter newsletter. Thank you for your interest!

Holiday Greetings from Tom & Elizabeth

ASAP Africa's President, Tom Arsenault and
Executive Director Elizabeth Bara, in the US, send these words:

We believe anything is possible.
That’s what inspires us in our work.
We share this belief with many of you.
This shared faith is the driving force behind our work.
We are thankful to be truly happy and to have all that we need.
Let us discover and learn new things together in the New Year.
We appreciate your support whether large or small.
Have a Blessed Christmas and a Wonderful New Year.

Holiday Greetings from Regai Tsunga

ASAP Africa's Country Director in Zimbabwe, Regai Tsunga, send these words:

2009 has come and (almost) gone. Through our projects, we at ASAP Zimbabwe are pleased to have made a positive impact on the lives of thousands of poor and vulnerable men, women, youths and children to whom our interventions were directed. We owe this success to the cooperation and support we received from our funding partners and other state and non state actors.

From the Country Director and staff at ASAP Zimbabwe, we wish all our partners, project participants and stake-holding public the best for the festive season as we celebrate the end of another year. We thank you most heartily for your support during 2009 and look forward to the strengthening of our relationship in 2010 and beyond.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Holiday Greetings from Victor Katchika-Jere

ASAP Africa's Country Director in Malawi, Victor Katchika-Jere sends these words:

UN loophole sees Mugabe join climate talks

Copenhagen - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe arrived in Denmark on Tuesday to attend United Nations climate talks, despite Western sanctions on his travel and public disapproval from his Danish hosts. Denmark's Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said that Mugabe was allowed to attend the Copenhagen climate conference because of rules that permit him to attend UN meetings, over-riding European Union and United States travel bans. "That is the spirit of the UN - that the world needs a place where we can meet with those we basically don't like. And I guess that is how you can characterise the person you're asking about," Rasmussen said when questioned about Mugabe. Mugabe's arrival prompted local media to ask whether Danish leaders would shake the 85-year-old African leader's hand and whether, as elder statesman, Mugabe will be seated next to Denmark's Queen Margrethe at a dinner on Thursday for heads of state and government attending the climate conference.

Low Input Garden Philanthropy in Zimbabwe

Production from low input gardens (LIG) near Mutare has been so successful that LIG farmers chose to support other vulnerable individuals with products from their respective gardens by donating a week's supply of vegetables (rape, spinach and tsunga) to needy institutions in the area. This included St. Josephs Infectious Disease Hospital, Sakubva Eye Unit and Zororai Old People's Home.
ASAP is one of the Mutare base partners in The Joint Initiative Project, which is working to reduce urban vulnerability in 12 communities in 6 urban areas throughout Zimbabwe. LIG includes training in how to establish low income gardens; land preparation, seedling preparations and maintenance, mulching, inter cropping, compost making, record keeping, keyhole gardens set-up(pictured) and seed retention.

Featured here in her low input garden in Sakubva with her daughter-in-law and grand daughter is Mrs Eldina Chandakabata.

Inspiring Words from a Student Philanthropist

"I give because in my life, others have helped me move forward. You may not be able to give millions, but a little goes a long way in other countries. Some of us will waste money on useless items that will only bring us joy for a short time, but donating to a worthy cause that will truly help others, that will bring me greater joy in life. Find a project, any project that speaks to you and donate whatever you can!"

These inspiring words came in response to the question - Why do you give? Whatever your unique reasons, we hope you will consider making a year-end contribution to ASAP Africa as we work together to make poverty history. Together we will succeed!

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