ASAP Africa Blog Page

Happy Valentines Day!

2012-02-09T12:50:00.004-05:00

What better day than Valentine's Day to say thanks again to all our donors. With your help, as we work together, our labor of love continues to empower women and their families in Zimbabwe.

Typhoid Hits Zimbabwe

2012-01-25T09:18:00.003-05:00

With the warm rains falling in Zimbabwe, highly contagious diseases are increasing. This week a typhoid outbreak has been reported near the capital, Harare. At least 90 people were admitted to hospital and over 600 affected.To learn more about the signs and symptoms of this disease click here.

Today, especially in rural Zimbabwe, many are still ignorant of how many common diseases are spread. "Snake oil salesmen" are a global phenomenon. Click here to read more. In Africa, here disinformation can be deadly, your support for ASAP's disease prevention training through rural Health clubs is desperately needed now. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" - and saves lives!

Quotation from Martin Luther King Jr.

2012-01-11T15:03:00.007-05:00

Throughout the year, Regai Tsunga, ASAP's Country Director in Zimbabwe, includes the following quotation from Martin Luther King Jr. on his email messages.

"When evil men plot, good men must plan. When evil men burn and bomb, good men must build and bind. When evil men shout ugly words of hatred, good men must commit themselves to the glories of love. Where evil men would seek to perpetuate an unjust status quo, good men must seek to bring into being a real order of justice"

To read an interview the Regai Tsunga, click here.

Taking a moment to reflect on MLK's inspiring "I have a dream speech" is a great way to commemorate and honor this truly great man.

Growing risk of Cholera in Zimbabwe

2012-01-04T21:54:00.004-05:00

With the onset of the rains in Zimbabwe, the risk of waterborne diseases is on the rise. The inability of vulnerable rural populations to access safe water and basic sanitation exacerbates the risk. To read more click here. The 2008/9 Cholera outbreak infected nearly 100,000 and 4,000 people died. Today, especially in rural Zimbabwe, many are still ignorant of how waterborne diseases are spread. Your support for ASAP's disease prevention training through rural Health clubs is desperately needed now. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" - and saves lives!

New Year's Greeting

2012-01-02T09:54:00.003-05:00

All of us at ASAP Africa look forward to being part of the the positive changes in the year ahead. Click Here. Happy 2012!

North Korea & Zimbabwe

2011-12-21T13:26:00.006-05:00

Like the Democrats and Republicans here in the US, the major political parties in Zimbabwe, the MDC and ZanuPF, rarely agree. The perspective on the passing of Kim Jong-il is no exception; North Korea provided training in the 1980's to the Zimbabwean military, which contributed to the Gukurahundi conflict.

Nhlanla Dube, spokesman for the MDC, said it is sad when someone dies before making any reparation or public apology for crimes against humanity. While Zanu-PF activist Goodson Nguni said the North Koreans did not kill any Zimbabweans and that Kim Jong-il deserved a kindly thought.

To read more click here.

Historic "Hanging Tree" in Zimbabwe Falls

2011-12-09T09:15:00.004-05:00

The 200 year old Msasa tree came down on the same day that President Robert Mugabe planted a tree to launch the country's national tree planting and reforestation campaign. Dubbed the "Hanging tree", icons of the first uprising against white settlers, including the ancestral grandmother of the nation Mbuya Nehanda, were said to have been hanged from the tree in 1898. Some believe this to be an omen that the tree represented "powerful forces" and this may signal the dawn of a new era. To read more click here.

Getting to Zero

2011-12-01T08:29:00.007-05:00

Today, World AIDS Day, is an opportunity for people to unite in the fight against HIV/AIDS, to remember those who have died of the disease and to celebrate accomplishments. Despite worldwide efforts, 33.3 million people are living with the disease today.
The goal of the 2011 "Getting to Zero" campaign is Zero new HIV infections, Zero discrimination,Zero AIDS-related deaths by 2015. To learn more click here.

In Zimbabwe, ASAP works to strengthen communities to support rural Home Base Care Centers where the needs of those suffering from HIV/AIDS and other diseases are cared for in a supportive environment. ASAP also provides training to community leaders to share disease prevention strategies with others in her village. Your support for this training, on World Aids Day, is a wonderful way to have a grassroots impact and commemorate World AIDS Day.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T10:46:00.002-05:00

In the USA, on Thursday we stop to reflect and give thanks for all our blessings great and small. At ASAP we are grateful to you because you make our work possible. Thank you for your continued support! We wish you a safe and happy festive season.

Challenges to Educating Girls

2011-11-08T09:12:00.005-05:00

"Poverty, abuse and cultural practices are preventing a third of Zimbabwean girls from attending primary school and 67 percent from attending secondary school, denying them a basic education, according to a recent study which found alarming dropout rates for girls." To read more click here.

To access Amnesty International's report "Left Behind, the Impact of Zimbabwe's Mass Forced Evictions on the Right to Education" click here.

ASAP provides school fees for selected girls to attend secondary school in the areas where we implement the Improving Math Education In Primary School project. Your donation will give a promising young girl hope for the future. Click here to donate now.

ANOTHER LIST

2011-11-06T14:23:00.002-05:00

Zimbabwe has been ranked 109 out of 110 countries for prosperiy. It is truly a shame for a country with such potential. See the list by clicking here.

TWB Features ASAP Africa's Hema Soni

2011-10-29T13:37:00.007-05:00

In their latest newsletter Teachers Without Borders have chosen the feature Hema Soni, one of the teachers currently working with ASAP Africa in Zimbabwe as part of our Improving Math Education in Primary School Project. To read more about Hema click here.As part of her personal belief system, Hema shares:"I believe that volunteering is essential to humanity, when we volunteer with love and compassion we strengthen our inner spiritual core and it brings out the best in us. We not only develop an understanding of our fellow human beings but of ourselves too. I believe that charitable organizations can and do more to improve the lives of the most disadvantaged people in our world than even governments."

To read more about the TWB's partnership with ASAP click here.

Autumn Newsletter

2011-10-24T16:42:00.000-05:00

Click here to read ASAP's Autumn Newsletter.

Double Your Donation Impact

2011-10-19T07:52:00.006-05:00

TODAY ONLY, your donation will be matched through Global Giving.
Please give generously!

Making a difference?

2011-10-12T11:10:00.007-05:00

There are two approaches to evaluating the impact of our social investments. “Metric-heads” believe that quantitative measures are the only conclusive method while “Story Huggers” know that figures and facts can never tell the whole story.
At ASAP we KNOW that ASAP’s Village Savings & Lending projects have improved the household security and helped over 35,000 families rise out of poverty in Zimbabwe. We have documented this using both methods. Tracking each savings club’s fund growth and increases in household assets doesn’t tell the whole story. Through “Most Significant Change” stories, we also look at those individuals whose lives were transformed in unexpected and often amazing ways.

To join a discussion about program evaluation click here.

The Zimbabwe Situation

2011-09-21T09:05:00.004-05:00

With the upcoming presidential election next year, Zimbabwe is once again a country in crisis. For an extensive and up-to-date website containing news, views and links related to ZIMBABWE Click here.

ASAP has continued to assist families in Zimbabwe since 1994, through drought, economic collapse, cyclone and political turmoil. With your continued interest and support, we know that together we will continue to change lives by empowering women and improving education during the challenges ahead.

ASAP Africa Summer Newsletter

2011-09-14T15:27:00.008-05:00

Click here to read ASAP's summer newsletter.

2011-09-01T07:24:00.002-05:00

I came across this article in my Google Alert this morning - a rare but not unprecedented move towards the indigenization of resources that reminds me of many of the issues I experienced while traveling in Mongolia.

2011-08-22T19:38:00.011-05:00

Greetings contributors, readers, and all of those involved with ASAP Africa!

My name is Jimmy and I will be interning here for the next couple of years as part of my work for the Emory University MDP program, so I would like to take this opportunity to come out of the shadows and say hi.

Hi!

Although I don't know much about Zimbabwe, I am very eager to learn and excited to be a part of all the wonderful work being done by ASAP. Look to the blog regularly for updates about our programs and events as well as news from the field.

Until next time, here is a link to an interesting story from Guardian.co.uk about how two wheels changed a woman's life in Harare.

Enjoy!

Jimmy

ASAP Welcomes James Ramsey

2011-08-10T09:39:00.008-05:00

Welcome to James Ramsey, who will be working with ASAP through the Master's in Development Practice (MDP) Program at Emory University. The MDP program combines hands-on learning and field experience with rigorous training in a broad range of academic disciplines with a goal of achieving sustainable development in the face of global poverty, political and ethnic conflict, a degrading natural resource base, and irreversible climate change. To read more about this program at Emory click here.

James Ramsey graduated from the University of Oklahoma where he studied International and Area studies with a concentration in East Asian Studies and Japanese language. After graduation, he first taught English in Akita, Japan through the JET program and then at the University of Oklahoma's CESL. James is currently an ESL teacher for Lutheran Services of Georgia, an organization offering resettlement services to refugees in the Atlanta area. He became interested in development during his time in Japan, where he did volunteer work for Room To Read - a non-profit that raises money to construct schools and provide scholarships for girls throughout Asia and the Indian subcontinent. While at Emory, James will be interning with ASAP Africa. His research interests include human rights, natural resource management, and education.

Heroes Day Celebration

2011-08-08T07:00:00.004-05:00

Today, August 8th is Heroes Day in Zimbabwe. This holiday, similar to Veteran's Day here in the US, is the day celebrated to honor the heroes of the nation who have sacrificed their life or have done something great for the nation. To read more about the history of this holiday click here.

You can be an ASAP Hero! Click here to learn more.

Grant Announcement for Education in Zimbabwe

2011-08-02T10:18:00.007-05:00

ASAP is proud to announce a new three year grant from the Flora Family Foundation to support the Improving Math Education in Primary School (IMEPS) project in Zimbabwe. Sixty one schools are involved in this project to improve math skills in the eastern district of Manicaland. To read more about this project click here.

The conditions in Zimbabwean schools are particularly challenging today, as teachers salaries are very low and wage negotiations have not produced the desired results. Following the latest increases, teachers now earn US$320, up from US$160 per month. During the last decade of economic collapse, communities have been paying teachers incentives to keep them motivated. The recent move by the Ministry of Education to stop these incentives have also had a negative impact. To read more click here.

Recently the Minister of Education in Zimbabwe, David Coltart, has stated that the West is partly to blame for the economic decline in Zimbabwe over the past decade. To read more click here.

Teaching in Zimbabwe is a Struggle to Survive

2011-07-18T11:54:00.008-05:00

There are 15,000 vacant teaching posts in Zimbabwe. Despite reports that thousands of Zimbabwean teachers, who had left the country at the height of the economic crisis are returning, this number appears to be increasing. To read more click here.
Poor salaries contribute to the problem and recent wage negotiations have not produced results. Teachers report that feeding a family on their currently salary of about $200/month is impossible. To read more, Click here.

It is under these conditions that ASAP Africa in Zimbabwe continues to work with dedicated, selfless teachers to improve the teaching and learning of math in Primary School. To learn more about this project click here.

ASAP + Teachers Without Borders

2011-06-27T11:21:00.004-05:00

ASAP Africa in Zimbabwe is excited about a new partnership with Teachers Without Borders. TWB will be linking math teachers to ASAP's Improving Math in Primary School Project. If you are a math teacher, (or know of one) that would like to share skills and knowledge with teachers in rural Zimbabwe, click here to learn more about this volunteer opportunity.
To learn more about the IMEPS Project click here.

Food vs. Fuel

2011-06-22T10:19:00.004-05:00

A new $600,000,000 ethanol plant will bring much needed development to Manicaland province. To be located in Chisumbanje, South of ASAP's base in Mutare, the plan has many people questioning the non-monetary, human costs. To read more click here.
Where is Chisumbanje?

A Celebration of Success

2011-06-18T13:21:00.004-05:00

Last week ASAP Africa and Plan International celebrated the success of their three year Village Savings & Lending project partnership in Zimbabwe. At a field day near Mutare, 100s gathered to learn more about this phenomenally successful project that helps families gain self-reliance. Click here to learn more.

3rd Annual A Harvest of Hope

2011-06-03T07:22:00.005-05:00

Attending this unique Home & Garden event will support ASAP and features one-of-a-kind found,re-purposed and artistic items,FREE sustainable-living workshops and more… If you are near Newport Beach CA this week-end, don't miss the opportunity to attend!
FRIDAY, JUNE 3rd
11 - 5
SATURDAY JUNE 4th
10 - 5
SUNDAY JUNE 5th
12 - 4
For more details click here.

My Skills, My Money, My Brighter Future in Zimbabwe

2011-06-02T09:46:00.007-05:00

ASAP Zimbabwe's Country Director in Zimbabwe is proud to share learning from ASAP's Out of School Adolescents Project partnership with Catholic Relief Services. At the invitation of CRS, Regai shared his team's success stories of empowering girls with organizations from around the world during the launch of the publication, "My Skills, My Money, My Brighter Future in Zimbabwe" at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. last week. Click here to read the report.

New Partnership with Plan International

2011-05-11T12:05:00.000-05:00

ASAP Africa is proud to announce a new three year partnership with Plan International that will see the expansion of ASAP's work with Village Savings and Lending (VS&L) nation-wide in Zimbabwe. Since 2001, when The McKnight Foundation funded ASAP's first VS&L project, ASAP has helped over 30,000 families improve their household income and increase their self-reliance through this rural micro-finance project. To learn more about VS&L click here.

Food Security in Southern Africa Improving

2011-04-05T10:06:00.003-05:00

Since 1985, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network project analyzes a variety of data, such as market prices of food, precipitation and crop failures to predict when and where food insecurity will occur, and issues alerts on predicted crises. FEWSN reports the overall food security situation in southern Africa for the 2009/10 marketing year was favorable, with a regional cereal surplus of 476 000 tonnes compared to a deficit of 1,78 million tones registered in 2008/09. To read more click here.

In Zimbabwe, about 1.7million people are estimated to be food insecure during the current peak lean season running from October through February. To read more about the situation in Zimbabwe click here.

In the southern regions of Malawi, where ASAP works, mid-season dry spells have caused crop failures. To read more about the situation in Malawi click here.

ASAP Spring Newsletter

2011-03-24T09:02:00.001-05:00

Click here to read ASAP's spring update.

What Makes a Good School?

2011-03-10T09:33:00.009-05:00

This depiction of What Makes a Good School was created in rural Zimbabwe. As part of the UNICEFSocial Awareness Campaign for Primary Schools project, ASAP Africa is proud to be included in a consortium of over 20 local organizations working together to answer this question.

Some of the aspirations of pupils for their dream schools were that:
•Schools should be such that it does not encourage pupils to abscond from lessons
•Schools should be a safe place with a good learning environment
•Pupils, parents and teachers should not be thieves. School should have a tight security system
•Schools should be smoke free environments
•Punishments should not be administered while other pupils are attending lessons
•Schools should provide leisure time.
•Schools should have projects that generate extra school funds
•Schools should accommodate visitors
•Should have parents who care for the education of their pupils.

Some of the aspirations of teachers for their ideal learning schools were that
•Schools should have accommodation which is electrified and has piped water
•Schools should be serviced by a good road network
•There should be a reliable public transport system servicing the school
•A resource center should be near the school
•School administrators should be sensitive to teacher requirements

Community members - School Development Committees , parents and village heads:
• Schools should be such that teachers are deployed early
• Schools should have well qualified teachers who stay at a school for reasonable periods of time
•Schools should have a variety of sports and adequate sports equipment
•Schools should have responsible teachers

Perception vary yet all agree with Francis Keppel:
"Education is too important to be left solely to educators."
To read more about ASAP's work with education click here.

Prevention is Important

2011-03-07T12:39:00.004-05:00

In Malawi and Zimbabwe, preventing the kind of uprisings the world is watching in Northern Africa appears to be on the minds of the leadership.
For a recent article about Zimbabwe click here.
For Malawi click here.

ASAP Africa has remained committed to empowering families to withstand all sorts of disasters, natural and man-made, since 1994. Your support is appreciated and is needed now more than ever.

The Times They are a Changin'

2011-02-22T10:43:00.005-05:00

Not long ago, Zimbabwe was the breadbasket of Africa. Recently, the United Nations found Zimbabweans to be among the world’s poorest people, often making mere survival an all-consuming task.
To read more, click here.

Mr. Mugabe, who turned 87 on Monday, and his Zanu PF party have ruled Zimbabwe single-handedly from 1980 until 2009, when regional leaders pressured him into forming a power-sharing government with his longtime political rival, Morgan Tsvangirai. Today, as the world watches the tidal wave of change sweeping Egypt, Tunisia, Bahrain and now Libya, a Zanu PF official is quoted as warning “Don’t attempt this, it can’t be done here.” To read more click here.

ASAP Africa has remained committed to empowering families to withstand all sorts of disasters, natural and man-made, since 1994. Your support is appreciated and is needed now more than ever.

In Malawi Neno District Holds 1st VS&L Graduation

2011-02-14T14:27:00.002-05:00

by Victor Katchika-Jere
A sight that is becoming traditional to any person who knows about the activities of A Self-help Assistance Program (ASAP) Africa Malawi, yet a sight that one fails to get used to: men and especially women dancing and singing, or smiling broadly for the whole day in a community where there is little to smile let alone laugh about.
Business was brought to a standstill at Feremu area in traditional authority Mlauli in Neno district on Friday, February 11, 2011 as all roads led to Chimbamira primary school grounds where ninety-four VS&L members from ten groups shared among themselves MK 1,300,000 after nine months of disciplined savings mobilization.
“We were very skeptical when we first heard what ASAP Africa Malawi staff was touting as a very beneficial project,” Group Village Headman Feremu recounted his and his subjects’ first reaction to the introduction of the CCP in the area. “But now, we are fully convinced that no better project could have been introduced in my area! Who had the slightest idea that my subjects would be able to save such a whooping sum of money in less than a year?”
The District Commissioner for Neno District Council, Mr Lawford Palani was lost for words. “After everything is said and done I would like to assure ASAP Africa Malawi management that I am their number one fan!” he exclaimed amid applause from the guests and ululation from the women who graced the occasion. Among these were the traditional authority (T/A) Mlauli, Group Village Heads and Village Heads. He then appealed to ASAP Africa Malawi management to expand the CCP project to more areas within the district
Ten groups comprising seventy-eight women and sixteen men shared out MK1, 300, 000 after running their VSL activities since June 2010.
“It is always pleasing and encouraging to see women and men celebrating their achievement with such pomp and style as evidenced here,” the Country Director for ASAP Africa Malawi, Mr Victor Katchika-Jere, said. “This is a demonstration that given the much-needed skills communities can develop confidence that can lead to self-reliance.” He continued: “We appreciate the goodwill the DC and the TA have shown towards ASAP Africa Malawi by gracing this occasion, and also for permitting us to work in this area where there is no other NGO.”
ASAP Africa Malawi currently works in the areas of Group Village Headmen Feremu and Nsalawatha but is fast expanding to other areas of Neno District. The event featured in the main news bulletins on two radio stations with national coverage.

ASAP's Website to be "Hacked"

2011-02-11T13:14:00.004-05:00

A team of four software development students, Charles Chen, Charles Naut, Derek Czajka and Sophia Westwood, from Stanford University will be making improvements on ASAP's website as part of the annual Stanford Hackathon this week-end. The talents of these students will help launch ASAP's new Light the Way campaign, making web site additions and improvements for 24 hours. To read more about the other Hackathon projects click here.

Food Insecurity On the Rise in Zimbabwe

2011-02-08T13:42:00.006-05:00

The map above shows the prevalence of malnutrition in Zimbabwe in 2003. ASAP Africa works in the Eastern Nyanga and Chimanimani region, both areas on concern during the 2011 "lean season" between now and March. According to the FEWSNET - The Famine Early Warning System and Network - acute malnutrition may also be a problem. The fact that these historically very productive agriculture regions are now at-risk is a grave concern. To read more click here.

ASAP works to help families in Malawi and Zimbabwe increase household food security through Village Savings and Lending rural micro-finance activities along with agriculture skills training such as conservation farming techniques.

SIFE in Zimbabwe

2011-01-25T15:51:00.003-05:00

Many in US are familiar with SIFE, Students in Free Enterprise but may not be aware of this groups tremendous global impact.Pictured here, in Mutasa District of Zimbabwe, ASAP Africa VS&L rural savings club members were oriented on financial intelligence by Africa University SIFE students. To learn more about VS&L click here.

Financial intelligence is a simplified accounting module that encourages rural entrepreneurs to keep records of their business transactions. Participants were able to identify and complete sales journal, purchases journal and cash book at the end of the orientation sessions.

The SIFE students have added value to ASAP's 5 year project partnership with CARE. The project’s goal is to protect and to improve the livelihood security of 11,000 households in most disadvantaged areas of Mutasa and Nyanga districts.

To learn more about SIFE click here.

Miracle Tree

2011-01-20T20:37:00.006-05:00

This Acacia tree growing in a groundnut field has been shown to provide more than just shade for a farmer in rural Malawi. Referred to as the "fertilizer tree" and "miracle tree" some species of acacia actually improve soil quality. Click here to read more. Faidherbia albida or the apple-ring acacia, is one acacia that has been shown to boost crop yields. In Zambia preliminary research has found that unfertilized maize yields in the vicinity of acacia trees averaged nearly three times those of crops grown nearby but beyond the trees' canopy.Click here to read more.

I Have a Dream

2011-01-17T07:17:00.001-05:00

by Martin Luther King, Jr,

Delivered on the steps at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. on August 28, 1963. Source: Martin Luther King, Jr: The Peaceful Warrior, Pocket Books, NY 1968

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of captivity. But one hundred years later, we must face the tragic fact that the Negro is still not free.

One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land.

So we have come here today to dramatize an appalling condition. In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir.

This note was a promise that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation.

So we have come to cash this check -- a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to open the doors of opportunity to all of God's children. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment and to underestimate the determination of the Negro. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights.

The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges. But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.

We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. we must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.

The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny and their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.

We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall march ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" we can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.

Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair. I say to you today, my friends, that in spite of the difficulties and frustrations of the moment, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal." I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day the state of Alabama, whose governor's lips are presently dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, will be transformed into a situation where little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls and walk together as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today. I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. This is our hope. This is the faith with which I return to the South. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring." And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania! Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado! Let freedom ring from the curvaceous peaks of California! But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia! Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee! Let freedom ring from every hill and every molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

Zimbabwe Elections Delayed

2011-01-10T10:50:00.004-05:00

President Robert Mugabe has angered hardliners in his fractious party by supporting recommendations by his deputy, Joice Mujuru, to shelve the controversial indigenization law and set aside plans to hold elections this year as the succession issue heats up in Zanu PF, The Zimbabwe Standard reported.

Mujuru, who is battling against Mnangangwa to succeed the 86-year-old leader, made the recommendations before the party's Mutare conference last month following consultations with the business community. "The notion was strengthened further when Mujuru attended the swearing in of the Brazilian woman President, Dilma Rousseff last week," said the source.

The sources said Zanu PF hardliners and the Mnangagwa faction pushed for an early election before and during the party's conference last December.

Just before the conference Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe for the past three decades, had vowed that elections would be held before June this year with or without the new constitution.

Although the Mutare conference then resolved to hold elections this year without fail, Mugabe later heeded Mujuru's advice after coming under immense pressure from South African President Jacob Zuma.

Zuma in his capacity as the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) mediator in Zimbabwe is demanding extensive reforms to enable free and fair elections to be held in the country following the inconclusive 2008 polls.

Mugabe made the unusual about-turn after meeting with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his deputy Arthur Mutambara soon after the conference, telling the nation that elections would be held after the crafting of the new supreme law.

"When Zanu PF went to the conference, they had two main objectives: Early elections and pushing the indigenization agenda. But talk of both slackened after Mugabe listened to Mujuru's advice. Hardliners are furious that he dumped all they had agreed on in Mutare in favor of Mujuru's recommendations," said one source.

Government has since frozen the controversial indigenisation law after admitting that it is discouraging the badly-needed foreign investment and political observers last week said it was highly unlikely that polls would be held this year, especially with reports emerging that the new constitution can only be finalized later in the year.

2011 - A Year that could Make or Break Zimbabwe

2011-01-03T10:31:00.003-05:00

Zimbabwe's President Mugabe, 86, and rival Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) were forced into a coalition government two years ago after a disputed 2008 election which had exacerbated a severe economic crisis that had been ongoing since 2000. Neighboring South African President Zuma is helping to chart the course for the upcoming Parliamentary elections to be held in Zimbabwe during 2011. Some say it is highly likely these will be postponed. To read more click here.

Critics say rushed polls without political reforms, including a new constitution guaranteeing basic rights, would only favour Mugabe and ZANU-PF, who have held power since independence from Britain in 1980. Yet allegations of ‘doctoring’ the Global Political Agreement (GPA) signed in 2008 remain unresolved.To read more click here.

Mwanza Women Celebrate Self-Reliance

2010-12-21T08:26:00.004-05:00

There was joy and earth-shattering celebration at Mwanza Community Ground on 17 December 2010 when 78 women from nine Village Savings and Lending groups who have participating in ASAP Africa Malawi’s Chimvano pa Chuma Project were being presented with certificates.

“I can’t believe this is happening to me!” A visibly elated Mary Bintoni exclaimed. “I cannot believe my business is running well and I still have this envelope with more money than I contributed to my group’s savings!”

On this day, the women received their certificates acknowledging their successful completion of a savings and lending cycle, and an envelope containing money they had contributed to their group’s savings plus the interest it had accrued in the lending activities. ASAP Africa Malawi’s Country Director could not hide his satisfaction: “We are very pleased that we are meaningfully contributing to Malawi Government’s efforts to provide a means for rural women to become self-reliant”, he enthused. Over Mk 830, 000 was shared at the function.

“This festive season is a season with a difference. At a time like this last year, before I joined ASAP’s Chimvano pa Chuma Program, I was in extreme debt and had no food for my children. Now, I have all the money I need for my business, food and farm inputs,” said a jovial Mrs Kamwana.

New Pigeon Pea Study

2010-12-10T12:21:00.010-05:00

In Malawi ASAP begin has been encouraging farmers to grow Pigeon Peas since we began working in the country in January 2009. In partnership with Total Land Care, ASAP facilitated the distribution of superior Pigeon Pea seeds in a seed multiplication project. To learn more about ASAP Africa's agriculture projects - that YOUR donations make possible - click here.

Now a new study finds that planting Pigeon Peas and other legumes has even more benefits than previously thought and can actually reduce the amount of fertilizer required. To read more about the study click here.

Home Is Where Your Heart Is

2010-12-07T09:43:00.008-05:00

Due to economic and political hardships in Zimbabwe over the past 10 years, it is estimated that more than 3 million Zimbabweans are living outside of their country today. Thanks to the UK-based Development Foundation for Zimbabwe, diasporans in more than seven countries will meet later this month to dialogue with the Government on how they can inject millions of dollars in investment as part of actively participating in the economic recovery of the country.To read more click here. Plans for future investment are certainly encouraging. The map above depicts the the food insecurity prevailing in this country of desperate need. Your contribution to ASAP is helping families survive and thrive today.

Inflation in Zimbabwe... WHY?

2010-12-03T11:58:00.004-05:00

In Zimbabwe the largest supermarkets have increased their average price for a basket of goods by about 15% during the fourth quarter of the year. Experts say the rate of food price inflation was making life increasingly difficult for the millions of families already struggling to make ends meet under the weight of rising rentals, energy costs, taxes, interest rates and school fees.

After enduring hyper-inflation that peaked at 400 million percent, the country adopted the USD in Feb 2009, a move which many thought would stabilize the economy. But what is the reason for the sudden rise in prices of goods and services? Could it be the country's trade rebate structure, firming of the rand, taxes, response to speculation or is it sheer profiteering? To read more click here.

For the women in ASAP's Village Savings & Lending rural micro-finance project, their funds are often invested in assets - household commodities such as cooking oil, sugar and salt. This protects their capital in volatile times, often increasing profit. To read more click here. Remember, your donation of only $30 will improve the life of a struggling family by providing VS&L training.

Share Your World AIDS Day Wishes

2010-12-01T11:20:00.005-05:00

Maybe you’d like to wish your HIV-positive friend a life filled with good food, good laughter and good friends. Maybe you’re wishing that by next World AIDS Day we’ve made even more progress in the fight against the disease. To share your World AIDS Day ONE wish with others click here.

ASAP Autumn Newsletter

2010-11-30T08:43:00.002-05:00

Click here to read the news!

Malawi's "Greenbelt Iniative"

2010-11-19T14:36:00.005-05:00

Aimed at raising agricultural output and counter climatic unpredictability, Malawi's “Greenbelt Initiative” will bring changes to the agriculture sector. Malawi, a country of 14 million people, one of the world’s most densely populated nations, is mainly dependent on rain-fed agriculture but recent climatic changes have affected its production.

President Bingu wa Mutharika announced yesterday that the Agriculture Marketing & Development Corporation will have a new role, in order to ensure that farmers have access to the international market. To read more Click here. Links with India also feature prominently in the Initiative. To learn more Click here.

ASAP's ongoing training in conservation agriculture aims to address climate change through simple, cost-effective conservation farming methods such as, carefully timed planting, mulching with ground covers, weeding, crop rotation and inter-planting. As evidenced in the sorghum crop pictured, all these increase soil fertility and discourage pests while increasing crop yields. To learn more about ASAP Africa's agriculture projects Click here.

Malawi Program Visit

2010-11-15T09:16:00.002-05:00

Elizabeth Bara and Tom Arsenault have recently returned from visiting both the ASAP Malawi program and the ASAP Zimbabwe program. In Malawi, some days were spent meeting field officers in the rural areas where the projects are implemented. They were able to meet many of the Village Savings and Lending (VS&L) club members and hear firsthand about the various activities of the project.

One of the members is doing a great beekeeping project with ten beehives. Some are doing piggery, some fowl and eggs while others are cooking doughnuts and cakes. The majority of members are buying and reselling for their income generating projects. Buying and reselling involves quite an number of different products such as tomatoes, dried fish, clothing, flip-flop shoes, various nuts, vegetables and many others. There are even a couple of groups doing larger whole group projects – making and bottling achar (a type of relish) and fruit jam.

The Malawi program is relatively new and it is so exciting to see how these women have gone from zero to having their own money for school fees and farming inputs as a result of the training from ASAP field officers. And they all certainly expressed how happy and grateful they are for ASAP’s extensive training in VS&L.

New Grant Funding Partner!

2010-11-05T10:31:00.007-05:00

ASAP Africa Malawi is proud to announce a new grant from the Sundance Pay It Forward Foundation. The $20,000 one year grant will support the "Chimvano pa Chuma" - Unity for Economic Growth project ongoing in southern Malawi. Through Village Savings & Lending activities, over 7,000 families will increase their household income and food security. To read more about this project and some of the phenomenal success stories Click here.
To learn more about the Sundance Pay It Forward Foundation Click here.

What Constitutes a Safe School?

2010-11-01T07:38:00.004-05:00

ASAP is proud to be partnering with UNICEF and 20 other organizations on a new three month project - Social Awareness Campaign for Primary Schools. The problem to be addressed is that many parents are now hesitant to send their children to school in Zimbabwe. The schools are not perceived as a safe a apolitical environment. With national elections forthcoming, the SACPS will determine what can be done to restore communities confidence in their local school as a secure place to learn.

In 2011 the Ministry of Education in Zimbabwe will be distributing textbooks and stationery to all primary schools. The SACPS will also define ways to maximize the benefits and longevity of this much needed support.

To read more click here.

DIFID Supports SWAP to Help Education in Malawi

2010-09-11T11:34:00.005-05:00

The UK Government through the Department for International Development (DFID) in Malawi has announced support to the Government of Malawi to implement a new national education reform program that will put many more girls into secondary school; reduce repetition and dropout rates; and support all 5,500 primary schools with new School Improvement Grants. These measures will reduce the average number of children per teacher in primary schools from 81:1 in 2009 to 60:1 by 2013.
To read more click here.

Zimbabweans in South Africa Face Uncertainty

2010-09-09T08:01:00.007-05:00

In Zimbabwe daily survival is such a struggle that, in desperation, many cross into neighboring South Africa in search of menial labor. It is estimated that as many as two million Zimbabweans live and work undocumented in South Africa. But now South Africa's cabinet has announced that as of 31 December this year, the special dispensation will end, for reasons of regional security.To read more click here. For contacts in South Africa for
Zimbabwe Exiles Forum
Holding Hands for Zimbabwe International
Jesuit Refugee Services
People Against Suffering, Suppression, Oppression and Poverty
Lawyers for Human Rights
Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa
The South African Human Rights Commission
click here.

25 YEARS BEHIND OR AHEAD?

2010-09-06T10:08:00.004-05:00

EXAMINING THE AGE OF AFRICAN LEADERS

Abdulai Wade (Senegal) age 83
Hosni Mubarak (Egypt) age 82
Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe) age 86
Hifikepunye Pohamba (Namibia) age 74
Rupiah Banda (Zambia) age 73
Mwai Kibaki (Kenya) age 71
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf(Liberia)age 75
Colonel Gaddafi (Libya) age 68
Jacob Zuma (South Africa) age 68
Bingu Wa Mtalika (Malawi) age 76
____________ ________________
Average Age: 75.6 ~ Approximately 76 years

SOME OTHER COUNTRIES

Barrack Obama (USA) age 48
David Cameron (UK) age 43
Dimitri Medvedev (Russia) age 45
Stephen Harper (Canada) age 51
Julia Gillard (Australia) age 49
Nicolas Sarkozy (France) age 55
Luis Zapatero (Spain) age 49
Jose Socrates (Portugal) age 53
Angela Merkel (Germany) age 56
Herman Van Rompuy (Belgium) age 62
__________________
Average Age:51.1 ~ Approximately 51 years

AFRICANS ARE ASKING, WOULD YOUNGER LEADERSHIP GIVE AFRICA MORE PROSPERITY?

A Harvest of Hope for ASAP Africa

2010-08-24T06:02:00.004-05:00

ASAP is honored and blessed that A Harvest of Hope, has chosen to support ASAP Africa again this year. The 2nd annual event, held in Newport Beach CA in June, was a great success. The creative energy, hard work and positive momentum created by this annual event is truly inspiring. Words cannot express our gratitude!

LIAT + VS&L = Food Security

2010-08-13T09:29:00.004-05:00

Africa is the only continent in which food production has failed to keep up with the growth in population. In Malawi, where shortages of the staple food, maize, hunger and malnutrition result in high infant mortality, improved crop production techniques are a high priority.

This is why ASAP Africa Malawi's "Chimvano pa Chuma" - Unity for Economic Growth" - program integrates low input agriculture and organic farming techniques with village savings and lending skills training.

Click here to learn more about low input agriculture and organic farming, and the challenges faced by subsistence farmers in Malawi.

Zimbabwean Constitution Survey

2010-08-06T12:42:00.005-05:00

Today Sokwanele is launching an online Constitution survey that aims to gather views from Zimbabweans everywhere, including the millions of Zimbabweans who live in the Diaspora and who have been largely excluded from the constitution-making process. Please help us to spread the word about the availability of the constitution survey by spreading the word to Zimbabweans you know.The survey can be found online at www.sokwanele.com/zimbabweconstitution/survey.

Unconditional Money in Malawi

2010-08-03T07:20:00.005-05:00

A World Bank study that put money in the hands of girls and their parents in Malawi's poor southern region make us ask - are conditions necessary?

An average of US$10 per month was handed out to a group of girls participating in the study on condition that they attended school 80 percent of the time so to remain eligible for the stipend. It made no difference to the outcome when no conditions were imposed - the girls participating in the study attended school 80 percent of the time, and in both cases the school drop-out rate also fell by 40 percent. Click here to read more. As with these women pictured above in ASAP's Internal Savings & Lending program, when rural families have access to discretionary household income, it is most commonly used to educate the children. This is not mandated - but for parents to desire a better life for their children is universal. Click here to read more about this life changing micro-finance program.

Children in Microfinance

2010-07-29T13:04:00.006-05:00

In the Honde Valley of Zimbabwe, where ASAP is working in partnership with Plan International, over 2,300 families are improving their household income through saving club activities. To date 4,204 loans, amounting to to over $33,500 have been accessed by these families, mainly for starting and diversifying agricultural based income generating activities like these pictured above.

415 of these participants are children. With the help of their parents, they are learning to become self- reliant and entrepreneurial at an early age. Pictured here, these children are proud of the poultry cage they have made and have been promised 15 chicks for a start by their parents, who encourage them to be actively involved.

The Vision Alignment Project

2010-07-28T12:09:00.002-05:00

When people realize that their thoughts and Visions are creating their future,
then we can create a better future for ourselves.
Click here to learn more.

ASAP Welcomes TLC Visit

2010-07-22T12:33:00.006-05:00

Dr. Zwide Jere, Total Land Care(TLC) Director in Malawi, was warmly welcomed by women in ASAP's savings clubs last week, and were eager to share their success. Pictured below, this savings club member is proud to be building a home with funds from her VS&L funds.

Total Land Care (TLC) and ASAP Africa in Malawi have been working together in the Southern villages to enhance the household and food security and improve agricultural practice of families in this marginalized area since 2008.

With training from ASAP, women in these communities have been reaping the benefits of the Village Savings and Lending rural micro-finance project, named "Chimvano pa Chuma"- Unity for Economic Growth. Click here to learn more about this life-changing project.

A New Way to Learn African Languages

2010-07-12T20:58:00.003-05:00

Planning a visit to Malawi? If so, expand your Chichewa vocabulary with Google.
Likewise, if traveling to Zimbabwe you may find the Shona and Ndebele Google useful.

Who Benefits from Bumper Crops in Malawi?

2010-07-09T18:12:00.004-05:00

This desperate women resorts to "harvesting water lilies on the Shire River for food, where people could drown and crocodiles lurked." Yet Malawi's agriculture sector has had a second successive bumper harvest of maize, the staple food. It is ironic that it is estimated that 710,000 people in the southern regions, where ASAP works, are still threatened with starvation. Problems with the ability to distribute food surpluses quickly throughout the country leave the the international community considering other alternatives to providing food aid. To read more click here.

Meanwhile, Malawi has started selling much-needed maize to Zimbabwe under an export agreement which includes a US$10 million line of credit. To read more click here.

Happy Independence Day to Malawi

2010-07-06T18:22:00.007-05:00

Today Malawi celebrates 46 years of independence from Britain. In colonial times Malawi was known as British Central Africa, Nyasaland and a member of the the Federation of Rhodesia. The region was part of the Maravi Empire in the late 15th century.

The Maravi Empire was founded by the Amaravi people, who eventually became known as the Chewa (a word possibly derived from a term meaning "foreigner"), migrated to Malawi from the region of the modern day Republic of Congo to escape unrest and disease. They were renown as iron workers and Maravi is thought to mean "rays of light". To read more about the history of Malawi click here.

Speaking of light, today, July 6th is also the Dalai Lama's birthday. To send him a 75th birthday greetings click here.

Malawi Passes Child Protection Bill

2010-06-29T07:37:00.004-05:00

The bill outlines responsibilities and roles of parents on how to raise their children in their respective homes, addresses issues of child abduction, trafficking, harmful cultural practices, and it recognizes principles that are in the best interest of children. There are 1.4 million child workers in Malawi, mainly in tea plantations and domestic servitude. Some criticize the bill for conflicting with cultural norms and being too "western". To read more click here.

Former President Bill Clinton Visits Malawi

2010-06-26T12:57:00.004-05:00

All work and no play? For many Americans this is not an expression that we associate with the former President. His visit to Malawi yesterday to follow-up on development projects funded by his Foundation was combined with attending the World Cup. He decided to stay for today's match between Ghana and the US - and to pitch the US as a future World Cup venue to FIFA. To read more click here.

Thank You to the Flora Family Foundation

2010-06-21T09:32:00.006-05:00

Collins Mutsvairo, ASAP Zimbabwe's Bridge the Gap Project Manager, was honored to attend the Teacher Education and Development Trainees Conference held in Kampala, Uganda last week. Funded by the Flora Family Foundation, the conference brought together practitioners working to improve education from throughout Africa. ASAP is thankful for the opportunity to share experiences and collaborate with colleagues. To read ASAP's Bridge the Gap Project Report click here.
To watch the video overview of the BTG project click here.

Growing Global Citizens

2010-06-18T10:13:00.004-05:00

UNICEF has launched Teach UNICEF - a fantastic website that provides resources such as lesson plans, stories, and multimedia to cover topics and encourage the exploration of critical global issues that impact children worldwide. Materials on the site can be downloaded for free. The goal is to offer interested youth an opportunity to take action and create a new generation of well-informed global citizens.

Click here to learn more.

Zimbabwe Takes Step Toward New Constitution

2010-06-17T16:19:00.005-05:00

President Robert Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party have finally allowed the process of crafting a new constitution to begin, nearly a year behind schedule. To read more click here.

To download the 2005 amended Zimbabwe constitution click here.

Micro-Light Visitors fly in to ASAP Malawi

2010-06-10T11:41:00.008-05:00

With a mission to raise awareness of and secure funding for microfinance initiatives in Africa, micro light pilots Thom de Wit and Merle Pijlman, are flying across Africa to learn more about microfinance. On 7 June 2010, they arrived in Malawi as guests of ASAP Malawi and are pictured below with Victor Katchika-Jere, ASAP's Country Director in Malawi.
They were driven to Ndakwera and Nyampemba communities where ASAP is currently implementing village savings and lending projects (VSL). The couple met with more than 100 club members in two separate community meetings.
Senior Group Village Headman Singano, also an active VSL club member, said: “This methodology has shown us that our money can grow and make profit from it through lending. If we were to go to a bank we would have to pay some deposit and then also have bank charges deducted from our own money.”
ASAP’s Country Director, Mr. Victor Katchika-Jere emphasized the vision of ASAP Malawi: “This organization is committed to eradicating poverty. ASAP believes that this starts when the people have a stable capital base to start their Income Generating Activities (IGAs) and have the right training to help them in making informed decisions about what business to engage in. The Chimvano pa Chuma Project through VSL builds community capacity to embrace a savings culture.”
Mission accomplished, the couple left Malawi on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 on their way to Tanzania, Kenya, Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt enroute to Holland. To learn more about their journey click here.

Special Malawi Graduation

2010-06-07T12:27:00.006-05:00

People attending a recent graduation of ASAP Internal Savings and Lending (IS&L) members got a real treat. Traditional dancers performed at this graduation making it a very special event. The people graduating are members of ASAP’s IS&L program who have reached the stage of independence when they no longer need ASAP field officer monitoring and training. These graduation ceremonies are normally quite a festive time with singing, dancing and handing out of certificates to the graduating group. But this celebration became even better with the performance of traditional dancers.

Each of these masked dancers represent a different kind of animal as they dance in a manner that depicts the nature of that animal. The tree leaves in each “animal’s” hands are used for signaling to the drummers, other dancers and people leading the way when the animals are walking.

As ASAP's IS&L program has grown in Malawi, graduations have become a more common event but these traditional dancers made this graduation truly a very special graduation.

An Opportunity to Learn and Share

2010-06-03T13:53:00.002-05:00

Collins Mutsvairo, ASAP Africa's Bridge the Gap Project Manager is looking forward to attending a conference on learning outcomes this month. The meeting, to be held in Kampala, Uganda, is funded by the Flora Family Foundation.

Collins is eager to share the results and findings from ASAP's 5 year math teacher training project that ended in December 2009, which was partially funded the Flora Family Foundation. To watch a video overview of the BTG project click here.

Happy Africa Day - May 25th

2010-05-25T16:55:00.004-05:00

May 25th is Africa Day. Take this opportunity to celebrate African unity diversity and success and join Africans around the world in highlighting the cultural and social energy of the continent. To read more about Africa Day click here.

Pay It Forward

2010-05-19T09:25:00.004-05:00

Pictured above is Helen Kaufman, Taylor Smeback and Steph Fraiser of Bay Port High School in Howard/Suamico Wisconsin. Their group, Alms For Africa, is working together with ASAP Africa on their Pay It Forward project to provide text books for Tsvito school in rural Zimbabwe.

This small rural school, where up to 40 children share one textbook, will benefit greatly from the work of these students. Providing textbooks is like planting a seed along a path; we may never see that seed reach fruition, it is the faith in our intentions that guarantee that these children will benefit greatly from the kindness and hard work of Alms For Africa. What better way to Pay It Forward !

Don't miss "Music by Prudence" Tomorrow Night

2010-05-11T10:56:00.009-05:00

Zimbabwean singer-songwriter Prudence Mabhena is the central figure in the Oscar-winning documentary short Music by Prudence, premiering on HBO on May 12.

To read more about this inspiring story of great hope click here.

This summer, in Asheville NC, Matt Siegel will be sharing this movie as part of his Summer Harvest of Hope benefit event for ASAP Africa. Click here to read more about how you can get involved.

Food Security is The Focus

2010-05-04T09:25:00.008-05:00

In an interview with the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN), Bingu wa Mutharika, President of Malawi, said he planned to work with other African leaders to devise a program on food security that was sustainable "regardless of who is looking at it". He plans to set up what he called an African compact on food security to act as an independent advisory body to the African Union (AU) on agriculture and food issues.
"I'll invite about eight, nine heads of states that are committed to this [food security] program and I'll invite international organizations, the Africa Development Bank, the World Bank, the European Union... and some of the countries in the G8, and say here's a program, here's what we want to do, and sustain this within the context of the African green revolution," said the president.
The comments of Mutharika come as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launches a paper highlighting the risks to food security posed by climate change. The FAO report, Climate change implications for food security and natural resources management in Africa, published today, urges African governments to "prioritize and implement measures" to develop agriculture and sustainable resource management.
ASAP has programs that address food security in both Malawi and Zimbabwe. The Malawi office works closely with Total Land Care a large organization working in agriculture. The ZImbabwe program is currently working with the FAO and other organizations to address sustainable food security.

CELEBRATING EARTH DAY

2010-04-22T16:25:00.005-05:00

Happy Earth Day! Earth Day is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. It was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in held on April 22, 1970. Earth Day is now celebrated annually on April 22 in virtually every country on Earth.
In honor of Earth Day ASAP is launching "The Summer Harvest of Hope". People all across the country will be conducting local fundraisers for ASAP during the summer, from May to September. We are looking for people to sign up by Africa Day May 25th all planned events will be listed on the website.
It is also noteworthy that ASAP directors recently met with University of Georgia Agriculture experts, Jason Governo and Ryan Adolphson to discuss ASAP's developing an Organic Composting and Soil Renewal project in Zimbabwe and Malawi. We look forward to working in partnership with U of G and these gentlemen on this project as it matures.

This blog has moved

2010-04-19T08:48:00.001-05:00

This blog is now located at __FTP_MIGRATION_NEW_URL__.
You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click here.

For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to
__FTP_MIGRATION_FEED_URL__.

2010-04-17T15:15:00.003-05:00

The entire ASAP family is proud of Country Director Regai Tsunga as he was chosen to speak at the commencement ceremony of Zimbabwe Outreach University yesterday. For Regai it seemed like a normal experience speaking before renowned academics, captains of commerce and industry, senior civil servants, religious leaders, university students and alumni.
At ASAP we agree that ZOU made a great selection!

World-Wide Golfers Shift Focus from Augusta to Zimbabwe

2010-04-12T11:09:00.002-05:00

As golf fans world-wide congratulate Phil Michelson on his victory at the Master's in Augusta GA last week-end, Zimbabwe is preparing for golfers to shift their attention later this month for the Africom Zimbabwe Open. To read more click here.

Many are hopeful that the revival of the Africom Zimbabwe Open will help to change the perception of the world towards Zimbabwe. Players from all over the world and the region will come and play, where the good image of Zimbabwe as a safe business, sporting and tourism destination may also be revitalized.

The visit by South Africa's Julius Malema, the ANC Youth Leader, to Zimbabwe over Easter did not help bolster this cause. Although President Zuma of South Africa has been quick to reign in the outspoken young man, many fear that irreversible damage has already been done. To read more, click here.

Summer Harvest of Hope for ASAP Africa

2010-04-08T07:40:00.006-05:00

Become actively involved by holding an event for ASAP this summer.
Register your Summer Harvest of Hope event by Africa Day, May 25th and help ASAP improve agriculture skills in Zimbabwe & Malawi.
Start planning your event today - click here for details & registration form.
Do Good! Have Fun! Educate! Invite everyone!

Enoch Katchika-Jere Goes Home for the Week-end

2010-03-29T15:26:00.003-05:00

Victor Katchika-Jere, ASAP Malawi's Country Director,is pleased to report that Enoch spent the week-end resting at home for the first time since his birth on March 16th. On Wednesday Victor explained:

"My wife fell sick in the middle of the night on Tuesday. We rushed to the hospital and was told by doctors that her blood pressure was precariously high. The doctors were left with no option but to prematurely terminate the pregnancy through Cesarean section in order to save lives of both the mother and the unborn baby. She was operated on yesterday afternoon at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital and gave birth to a baby boy! The mother’s condition is now stable and the baby is in the Intensive Care Unit"

The story has a happy ending and we are happy to welcome Enoch into the world!!

Pre-schoolers Benefit from Micro-finance

2010-03-16T09:02:00.006-05:00

In Mutasa District of rural Zimbabwe, Anah Muganiwa, Gladys Murinda and Jesimine Gawaza have recently teamed up to open a creche using their Internal Savings and Lending (ISL)proceeds. ISL is a hugely successful rural micro-finance methodology that ASAP has been implementing in Zimbabwe since 2001 and in Malawi since 2008. The 3 women have secured a license to operate a creche from the Ministry of Education. The capital realized from group savings shares was used for logistical purposes and paying of initial rent of the premises. They now realise profit by end of each month and currently have an enrollment of 65 children.

To read more about ASAP's ISL projects click here.

Jestina Mukoko of Zimbabwe

2010-03-11T08:42:00.007-05:00

On March 10th U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced this year's recipients of the International Women of Courage Award. These women have shown exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for human rights and women’s equality. From Zimbabwe, Jestina Mukoko was selected for her exemplary and steadfast dedication to human rights.

To watch a short video clip of the awards click here.

To read more Jestina Mukoko's story click here.

Arnold Tsunga Interview

2010-03-04T11:56:00.004-05:00

Africa.com recently interviewed Zimbabwean lawyer and human rights activist Arnold Tsunga at the Human Rights Summit in Washington D.C. Arnold is the brother of Regai Tsunga, ASAP Zimbabwe Country Director. In a current climate one international human rights activist called a “global backlash against civil society”, we asked Arnold about the situation in Africa.

I heard you met with President Obama this morning. How did that meeting go?

It was a very good meeting, very positive. He is inspiring. He started by outlining America’s policy, which was very well received. It centers on strengthening multilateralism - a new US policy approach to ensure that complex global challenges are resolved through collective processes rather than through unilateralism. We as human rights defenders feel that any weakening of multilateral institutions like the UN, as well as the regional systems, poses a particular danger to our work. So his words resonated with us. One way he pushes this agenda is to always emphasize to other governments that human rights do not rank second or are inferior to other American interests in bilateral affairs. He also makes a point to have high-level meetings with civil society as well as government. This does not make many governments happy, but he thinks it is important that America begin to relate with the world in a way that reflects American core values.

What are the most important distinctions across Sub-Saharan countries in terms of human rights?

Much of East and Southern Africa have similarities in legal and educational systems, not to mention language, as a result of British colonization. While Central and West Africa have some similarities, Central Africa is dominated by the pervasive influence of the DRC in the Great Lakes area. There is more instability and more serious human rights violations, almost a failure of government. If you look at the DRC, Congo, Chad, Central African Republic, and Sudan, especially the Western side of Sudan, you can see these countries are very fragile and lack popular participation in governance. East Africa is the most stable region with the exception of Somalia, especially post the Rwandan genocide. [Rwandan President] Kagame has done a good job, I think, in terms of re-invigorating a system of government and making sure the economy functions.

How would you characterize the situation in Zimbabwe right now?

Zimbabwe is on the mend. The economy has made significant improvements. Because of global political agreement, you will find that the oppressive violence, abductions, and executions that took place in the run-up to the 2008 elections have largely disappeared. You still have residual violations like arbitrary detentions, intimidation of human rights defenders, confiscation of newspapers, and preventing people from assembling to discuss issues around the constitution and trying to further the consolidation of democracy. These actions come from elements of the government who do not believe in the change process that is taking place. The concern is that unless there are effective democratic and political developments the progress can be reversed. Mugabe is still strong and still controls the security sector, though they have seen that they need the opposition and they are losing the propaganda war. People no longer believe the Mugabe mantra that the conflict in Zimbabwe is about the West versus Africa and is a fight for black economic empowerment. There is a general agreement on the African continent that Mugabe’s leadership has failed. As a result of that the ability to use brazen force has been reduced. But the capacity is still there.

Bio:

Arnold Tsunga is Director of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) Africa Regional Programme and one of the leading human rights lawyers in Zimbabwe. He previously held the position of Executive Director of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), as well as acting Executive Secretary of the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ). Arnold Tsunga also sits on a number of Boards of human rights groups, provides leadership on a voluntary basis to several non-profit organizations and has written numerous articles on the human rights and rule of law situation in Zimbabwe and the region. Although he has been harassed, threatened, arrested and beaten several times, he continues to represent people who have been arrested unfairly under the repressive conditions in Zimbabwe, especially those who have been physically abused while in custody. For his dedication to defending human rights in spite of the threat to his own life, Arnold Tsunga received both the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders and the Human Rights Watch Human Rights defender Award in 2006.

A First for ASAP Malawi

2010-03-01T14:19:00.002-05:00

Saturday, February 20 and Friday February 26, 2010 brought sweet memories to Blantyre Rural and Chikhwawa District communities respectively, as community members danced, clapped and cheered for the first graduates of ASAP’s Village Savings and Lending program in Malawi. A total of 332 community members, participating in 31 Savings Groups, graduated on the two days.

Graduates were presented with certificates of accomplishment as a confirmation that they had fulfilled all the requirements for the village savings and lending initiative. The graduating community members displayed items, which they sell in their small businesses demonstrating to the other community members that they had indeed benefitted from the discipline of savings and lending.

ASAP Africa Malawi Country Director, Victor Katchika-Jere, attended both ceremonies and in his speech encouraged the graduating members to continue working and saving together in groups to ensure members always have accessible loans. “When we started, communities did not have the much-needed confidence that they could put their savings together and lend out their money to group members. They were asking ASAP to provide them with seed money but we did not. Today, we are witnessing the same community members who, nine months ago thought they could not do things on their own, sharing thousands of Kwachas and showcasing the types of small-scale businesses which have been established within a few months.” he said amidst handclapping and cheering from the crowd.

In the Chikhwawa ceremony Traditional Authority, Chief Ndakwera thanked ASAP for transforming the mindset of the people who had been made lazy by relying heavily on handouts from different organizations. “ASAP has managed to change the way we look at development. We need to take a leading role in our own development and the development of our area,’’ he added, “In just a few months community members have saved thousands of Kwachas and we have seen people investing their money in different business activities. If we all join hands with ASAP through this self-help initiative, our area should very soon develop beyond belief.”

Local Acceptance is the Key to Success

2010-02-26T12:30:00.008-05:00

In rural Malawi, the District Assemblies’ Executive Committees (DECs) are the local authorities. It is essential that these important stakeholders are on your team if development projects are going to succeed. Even with over 2,800 rural villagers enthusiastically engaged in ASAP's Village Savings & Lending project - known as "Chimvano Pa Chuma" or "Unity for Economic Growth" - these well-respected leaders “call the shots”.

In Chikwawa, Blantyre Rural and Mwanza Districts Mr. Victor Katchika-Jere, ASAP Africa Malawi Country Director and Mr. Michael Mainje, the Project Manager, made a series of presentations to these DECs recently. The meetings gave District Assemblies updates on progress made hitherto, challenges encountered and lessons learnt. DEC members were given the opportunity to comment, ask questions and put forward suggestions to ensure quality and increased impact of the program.
In their contribution, DEC members applauded ASAP for constantly updating the DEC. “We are pleased to note that you have achieved a lot in the few months you have been working in the district,” said the Director of Planning and Development for Chikwawa, Mr Chitao. He added “the fact that you have taken heart to update us shows that you are confident in what you are achieving on the ground. I’m appealing to other NGOs to emulate what ASAP has done.” In the picture below, Michael Mainje, ASAP Malawi Project Manager makes a presentation during one of the meetings.
Mr Victor Katchika-Jere, ASAP Malawi Country Director expressed his appreciation for the continuing support ASAP enjoys from the District Assemblies. Said he “We are sharing all these success stories today because you have always given us the support we need. We are committed to working with the under served communities in order to improve the socio-economic status of the rural people in sustainable and effective fashion.” Captured here is Victor Katchika-Jere, in a black jacket, emphasizing a point during the meeting in Chikwawa District.

To read more about ASAP's Village Savings & Lending click here.

US Congressional Team Visits Zimbabwe

2010-02-18T17:07:00.003-05:00

Melvin Watt, a former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, and three other US Congressmen are currently in Zimbabwe assessing the progress of the unity government after one year.

This week the European Union extended sanctions on Zimbabwe for another 12 months, citing a lack of progress in fulfilling the power-sharing pact. The EU will meet again on Zimbabwe next week. Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund's board will consider whether to restore Zimbabwe's IMF voting rights in a meeting on Friday.

To read more click here.

Teachers on Strike Again

2010-02-09T09:09:00.002-05:00

Zimbabwean Public Service Minister Eliphas Mukonoweshuro said Monday that his government had no money to pay 200,000 striking civil servants the salary increases they were demanding.  On Friday, 5 Feb, the Zimbabwe Public Service Association (ZPSA), which represents civil servants, announced an indefinite strike to press their demands for a hike in pay. "It is not unwillingness on the part of the government. It is simply the lack of fiscal capacity on our part," Mukonoweshuro said, expressing sympathy with the workers, most of whom are teachers.

The civil servants are demanding that the salary of the lowest-paid workers be increased from $120 a month to $630 a month. The power-sharing government of President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has offered to increase their wages to $122 in February, rising to $134 in April. "Even if they ask for 300 dollars for the least paid, that would bring the salary bill to 1.3 billion dollars, which is more than the annual budget of the government," Mukonoweshuro explained.

Raymond Majongwe, secretary-general of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe, ruled out a return to work, saying: "Let them sell diamonds and we can share that wealth instead of it being enjoyed by a few individuals." Majongwe was referring to the Chiadzwa diamond field in eastern Zimbabwe, which the state seized from a British mining company in 2006. There are 300,000 carats of raw diamonds taken from them that have recently “gone missing”. The quantity of diamonds mined by the government since then is unknown but geologists say the alluvial diamond site is the largest find in a century. Click here to read more about the strike.

The African Union dissolves NEPAD

2010-02-02T14:27:00.004-05:00

Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika is the new Chairman of the African Union. As the summit in Addis Ababa closed today, the group resolved to dissolve the New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD). NEPAD’s primary objective was to eradicate poverty and promote prosperity and to halt the marginalization of Africa In the globalisation process. To read more click here.

It is reported that the standing AU president from Libya, Muammar Gaddafi, had wanted to stay on as AU chairman. To read more about the just ended AU summit click here.

To learn more about President Bingu wa Mutharika click here.

The Real Big Game?

2010-01-31T20:09:00.004-05:00

As sports fans in the United States gear-up for Super Bowl Sunday Feb 7, South African Airways reminds us that the rest of the world is waiting for the Real Big Game. For an up-to-the-second countdown to the first World Cup kick-off click here.

Time for a Change

2010-01-27T15:06:00.003-05:00

Malawi earns up to 70 percent of its foreign exchange from tobacco. Most of it is grown in the rural areas where farmers have to transport it for long miles to the capital city, Lilongwe. Read the full VOA story. It seems that the export focus must be brought up to date with the world trends. Fewer people are smoking and cigarettes are becoming a lot more expensive.

The ASAP Africa Malawi Program helps farmers to diversify their crops while improving the growing methods. ASAP field officers teach that one way of making lasting improvements to agriculture is to switch to permaculture and organic farming techiques. It has been shown that organic fertilizers are much better for the soil as well as the crops while commercial fertilizers deplete the soil and poison the water table.

Powerless and Overwhelmed?

2010-01-25T12:32:00.004-05:00

Being inundated daily with images of those suffering in Haiti, women and children struggling to survive in Africa, in addition to the countless local causes can leave one feeling powerless and overwhelmed. Perhaps you may even feel your contribution would be insignificant. In response:

The Starfish Story
Original Story by: Loren Eisley

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed
a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean.
The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish?
You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,
and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said…”
I made a difference for that one.”

Please remember that you may never know whose life you touch with your support, but it does make a difference!

Malawi's John Chilembe Day Preceeds MLK Day

2010-01-18T16:42:00.005-05:00

Today the world commemorates the works of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. But the world must never forget the many great African hero's that made his work possible. Last Friday in Malawi that nation recognized one such hero; in the late 1800's Reverend John Chilembwe, the great martyr of Malawi, was the first African with a sense of Malawian nationalism. After founding one of the earliest independent Christian denominations in Africa, he led a dramatic and violent uprising against colonialism.
To read more about John Chilembwe click here

Today, as in year past, the world continues to work together to fight injustice and to create the world MLK so eloquently described...

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character...
And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:

Free at last! Free at last!

Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!

To read the entire speech made on August 28 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, or to view the video click here.

Malawi Partnership with India

2010-01-15T05:33:00.002-05:00

President of Malawi Bingu wa Mutharika is quoted as stating “Sometimes I consider India as my second home.” Mutharika, pursued his Graduate and Masters degrees from Delhi University (in the Indian capital).

The Vice President Ansari of India, is pictured above with Mutharika, announcing $55 million in assistance to Malawi. It is said a new partnership in uranium exploration and mining was also discussed. To read the more click here.

Sam Worthington nor Sigourney Weaver Can Help

2010-01-11T12:11:00.002-05:00

The current blockbuster AVATAR movie reminds us that indigenous populations are too often exploited and displaced in pursuit of precious minerals by outsiders. Many people are not aware that, just south of ASAP's office in Mutare, thousands have been relocated and endured numerous atrocities by the government because of the recent discovery of diamonds.
To read more about the Chiadzwa diamond fields click here

Unfortunately, International pressure groups have been unsuccessful in banning the sale of these diamonds.

Zimbabwe Reviews Laws Limiting Foreign Investment

2010-01-08T09:40:00.002-05:00

Zimbabwe's Indigenization and Economic Empowerment Act, which came into force in March 2008, limits foreign stake holdings in companies in the country to 49% while a 51% stake must be held by local investors. Economic Planning Minister Elton Mangoma was reported as saying allowable shareholding may be increased to as much as 100% in some sectors. To read the entire article click here.

Luring foreign investment back to Zimbabwe will be an uphill battle. In September 2008 the World Bank's International Finance Corporation announced in their Doing Business Report 2008 that Zimbabwe is one of the worst countries in the world to do business in. To access this report click here.

Your Donation Helps Save Lives

2010-01-04T11:33:00.004-05:00

More than a year after the signing of a power-sharing deal aimed at rescuing Zimbabwe's shattered economy, young people are still leaving the country in droves, seeking a better life in South Africa.

Although many Zimbabwean asylum requests are rejected, until its economy starts to recover, people will continue to risk their lives crossing the crocodile-infested Limpopo river to earn the hard currency their families need to buy food back home.

Click here to read the entire article recently written by Pumza Fihlani of the BBC News, Musina.

Your donation to ASAP Africa helps families generate enough income in Zimbabwe, by providing micro-finance skills training. These activities, along with enhanced agriculture production helps families to thrive during challenging economic times without risking their lives for survival.

Zimbabwe Military Deploys to Remove Country's Remaining White Farmers

2010-01-01T11:46:00.007-05:00

Since 2000, over 4,000 farms have been redistributed in Zimbabwe. Today, the effort continues although there are few productive farms left. According to VOA, the military has now been deployed "... was ordered by the Joint Operations Command, which brings together top-level officials of the Defense Forces, Zimbabwe Republic Police, Central Intelligence Organization and the prisons." To read the entire article click here.
For further discussion click here