The African Union dissolves NEPAD

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?

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

Give Unique Gifts from Africa that Support ASAP

Africa Direct generously contributes to ASAP when you purchase selected items. With over 17,000 pieces in stock, Africa Direct features the largest online selection of African art, African baskets, African tribal masks, African bead work, Trade Beads, Ethnic Jewelry and African Weapons, you'll find something truly unique. Click here to visit the Africa Direct web site.

Happy Holidays!

"Dollarisation in Zimbabwe has brought back the good old days for some. The pictures taken yesterday show Xmas preps are in full gear in Mutare. Such scenes had long disappeared and had become long pipe dreams for most residents of Zimbabwe in the last few years." Regai Tsunga, ASAP's Country Director shared these photos today of Mutare, Zimbabwe's version of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.

Last year the holiday season in Zimbabwe was dismal for many with inflation of 400,000,000% gripping the country! It seems a lot has happened in a year. Even that terrible inflation is now under control. But the rural folks are still suffering.
ASAP has much to do and your help is greatly needed to help us continue our good work.

Obama Awards Zimbabwean Women

This evening President Obama presented the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award to Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA). ASAP congratulates WOZA and hopes this award will draw attention to the plight of all the women struggling to survive in Zimbabwe today - tenacious, hardworking women enduring unspeakable hardships to provide for their families.

It was the first time in the award’s 24-year history that Senator Kennedy did not present the honor in memory of his brother. “Ted knew that Bobby’s legacy wasn’t a devotion to one particular cause, or a faith in a certain ideology — but rather, a sensibility,” Mr. Obama said. “A belief that in this world, there is right and there is wrong, and it is our job to build our laws and our lives around recognizing the difference.”

Click here to read more about the ceremony.

Click here to read more about ASAP's work to empower rural women in Zimbabwe during these tremendous times of hardship.