Joy...Down in my SOUL

Last week I got to go to another Kufusa Mari graduation field day in the city of Mutare. Normally, Kufusa Mari works mainly in rural areas, but recently ASAP has adapted the project for implementation in urban environments like Mutare.

It was so much fun to see the women dance, tell stories, and sing together in celebration of their success! This time, I even got to give a speech to the graduates congratulating them on their accomplishments. When Joseph Miti, the Kufusa Mari Project Manager, asked me to speak I protested saying that I was here to learn from these strong women not the other way around. He laughed and told me that I didn’t have to talk for long; everyone would just want to hear my funny American voice! However, he maintained that I should speak because seeing a woman speaking confidently to a large group would be encouraging to women who may not be accustomed to having a voice even in their own homes. According to Miti, many of these women faced opposition from their husbands when they decided to join Kufusa Mari, but were brave to pursue the opportunity anyway and now have won over their whole families. These women are courageous and willing to battle through adversity in the hope of a better life for their families.

This field day was a special one for me because I also had the privilege of helping to hand out the diplomas and t-shirts to graduates. I got to shake the hand of each graduate and personally congratulate them on their hard work and admirable accomplishments. At the end of the ceremony, Lovemore Manjoro and Causemore Samanga declared Marty and me to be graduates as well and gave us both our own Kufusa Mari t-shirt! As they handed me the t-shirt, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the people, experiences, and lessons that are coming my way this summer.

Then, to top it all off, I ran into Netsai Chikohomero from my last blog entry and was able to talk with her awhile longer! All in all, it was one of my favorite days in Zim so far. Life has not been kind to most of the women and men who graduated from the Kufusa Mari program, but despite everything else going on in their lives and in their country, they know how to be joyful in celebrating their blessings.

-Stephanie

What's Next!

The hardships in Zimbabwe are affecting everyone and it proves to be a frustrating time. Below you will read a message from Samanga an ASAP Kufusa Mari Senior Field Officer as he expresses his frustration towards the economic situation that he faces every day.

“I wish to bring to your attention the hardships which are affecting my social life as well as work.

Busfare has gone up from Z$5,000.00 to Z$20,000.00 a trip which makes it Z$40,000.00 per day. I need to buy bread for my family and myself. A loaf of bread costs Z$12,500.00. Rent has gone up from Z$80,000.00 to Z$350,000.00 per month. Meat has gone up from Z$30,000.00 to Z$80,000.00. This is affecting me psychologically at home and work. Considering that I was paid last week and this week everything has gone up.”

ASAP felt that this message adequately painted a picture of the ever-changing economic hardships that Zimbabweans face day to day. We hope that this message gives our supporters a real idea of what life is really like.

Better to light a candle than curse the darkness…

Yesterday Marty and I went to our first Kufusa Mari Field Day in Nyanga. Field days are graduation ceremonies for ASAP’s rural savings club program. In the Kufusa Mari program, participants, mainly women, pool their money together and take turns loaning it out to one another, so that they can start small income-generating businesses. The program is directed by the participants themselves who write their own constitution, keep their own books, and make all group decisions. Women and men graduate when the field officers decide they are capable of carrying on their savings activities without supervision. Thus, the field days are a time for celebration of success!

Many of these women have become capable of paying their children’s school fees, improving their family’s nutrition, or paying a family member’s medical costs. The program has truly changed participants’ lives and they came yesterday ready to show their joy! The participants performed skits, songs, dances, and poetry expressing their happiness and success, as well as some of the community’s continuing concerns. One of my favorite performances was from a group of children who sang a song about the dangers of AIDS and how to avoid contracting the disease.

At the end of the day, Joseph Miti, ASAP’s Projects Manager, and Francis Zengeni, the Field Officer for the area, awarded certificates and t-shirts to 150 graduating participants. They joyfully accepted their awards and danced around the field wearing their new shirts and holding their certificates in the air.

The entire celebration was filled with joy. I had the chance to talk with several of the graduating women. They all seemed happy to joke good naturedly, asking me questions about Marty, and commenting that he was very handsome… for a white man. Yet, the burden of Zimbabwe’s current reality was not far away. When I asked them about their families, I most often heard stories of death, disease, and devastating poverty. In the midst of such painful lives, Kufusa Mari promises hope that things can change. After meeting these strong, beautiful, resourceful, and caring women, I have no doubt that change is on the way in each of their lives.

-Stephanie

The Journey Begins...

Marty and Stephanie, our new IT and PR interns graduated from Vanderbilt University two weeks ago and have now arrived in Mutare to assist ASAP with our program expansions. Over the coming weeks expect to read updates from them about what they are learning as they encounter Zimbabwe and the world of development work for the first time.

Marty and I have only been in Zimbabwe for a few short, jet-lagged days, but already I am learning so much from seeing the country and its citizens first hand. For the past year I have been reading news article after news article about Zimbabwe’s troubles, so I came prepared for the very worst. I have to say that I did not find what I had been expecting. In this country with the world’s highest inflation, widespread food shortages, an HIV/AIDS infection rate of 20.1%, according to Global Health Reporting, and a plummeting life expectancy of 34 for females and 37 males, life is surprisingly... normal. People wake up in the morning, go to work or look for work, come home at night, and tuck their children into bed. Despite everything, life continues.

Perhaps what allows these people to continue their daily routines in circumstances that many of us would consider chaotic is hope. Zimbabwe has not always suffered the problems it currently faces. In fact, not so long ago Zimbabwe was considered the bread basket of Africa and represented the promise that development could make real change. As the situation here slowly worsened, people did not forget the growth that they had once experienced. The aftertaste of success fades slowly.

In the end, it is this hope that is the most lasting remnant of the country’s previous development. The Zimbabwean people know there is more for them, so they are not content with their current situation. They have seen what it is to not be poor and hungry and they will continue to strive together until they no longer have to be.

- Stephanie

Thanks you Sierra Vista High School

ASAP Africa was recently shocked to receive a donation in the mail from Sierra Vista High School for almost 600 dollars. It was such a magical feeling to know that we have a growing number of supporters that have teamed with ASAP to make a difference in the world. Good things always seem to happen at just the right time.

ASAP is continuing our Meet or Beat Challenge with schools, businesses, and even indivuals. We have currently had three schools face the challenge and succeed with great success. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to:

Sierra Vista High School
Grace Church School
Sandy Creek High School

Unwavering Spirit

“Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength.” -Unknown

In times of turmoil…we press on, in times of defeat…we press on, and in times of celebration…we savor the moment and appreciate the path that brought us here. Life in Zimbabwe is not easy and almost unimaginable for those not living in these conditions. One thing that I have learned during my time with ASAP is that regardless of the battle you must stay focused and POSITIVE. In a land where it seems that most things are collapsing, ASAP is fighting to sustain and build on our vision of “A World Without Poverty.” This brings me to our latest announcement:

ASAP Africa Welcomes Our Newest Members:
William Maeka- Field Officer- HANDEI
Jolomia Mbendana - Field Officer- Kufusa Mari
Kudzai Sagwidza- Field Officer- Kufusa MAri
Charles Tumbare- Driver

We are so excited about the growth of our ASAP family and we look forward to future expansions.

-Shannon

Join ASAP Africa at the Serenbe Market Every Saturday

Join ASAP at the Serenbe Market every Saturday from 8:00am to noon. We will be featuring locally roasted, organic fair trade coffee. ASAP is thrilled to take part in such a wonderful event. This is the perfect opportunity to come out and meet with the staff and volunteers of ASAP and get a one on one understanding of who we are and what we do.

We are also recruiting volunteers who would be interested in becoming a “Helping Hand” with ASAP and join us at our Serenbe fundraising booth. Just pick a Saturday that you would like to help and we will sign you up. Click Here for more volunteer opportunities with ASAP Africa and set your mind to make a difference today!

Serenbe Farms
8715 Atlanta Newnan Rd.
Palmetto, GA 30268
770-463-9319

A Sigh of Relief

My name is Magaret Derera. I am aged 39. My husband passed away in 2005. Since that time I have been a begger. No one of my husband’s relatives helped me since the economic hardship destroyed the extended family structure in Zimbabwe.

I was begging for everything from food, rent, to school fees. Even now I am hungry but I am not going to buy food with this Z$10,000.00 which I have just borrowed but I am going to start a project. Z$10,000.00 might be small but for me, it is a lot of money. I have never handled Z$10,000.00 since the death of my husband.

Look at my smile. I am smiling from deep down in my heart – It’s a sigh of relief.

By Mrs. Magaret Derera of St Joseph’s Cluster on 09-03-2007 talking to Senior Field Officer Samanga after forming the Rujeko Club and loaning Z$10,000.00.

Learn more about ASAP's Kufusa Mari Program

Oprah's Leadership Academy Blog Partners with ASAP Africa

ASAP has partnered with Oprah’s School to bring the latest information to you through our blog. We are extremely excited about this partnership. Through our blog you will gain a better understanding of ASAP’s philosophy’s and how they coincide with Oprah’s mission of providing education to girls in South Africa living in poverty. ASAP believes that the key to eliminating poverty is EDUCATION and we will continue to work with other organizations that follow in this belief. View our latest blog on Oprah’s School.

“Education is the way to move mountains, to build bridges, to change the world. Education is the path to the future. I believe that education is indeed freedom. With God's help, these girls will be the future leaders on the path to peace in South Africa and the world." – Oprah

All Jokes Aside

April Fool’s Day turned out to be a blast for ASAP and there were no jokes surrounding the hard work and determination of the Y.E.S. volunteers. Ten volunteers from Y.E.S. gave their time yesterday morning to assist ASAP in organizing our books for the Book/ School Supplies drive to ship to Zimbabwe and helped to get many of our office projects off of the ground. They brought so much energy that we actually finished more than expected. ASAP would like to offer a big thank you to all of our volunteers. You truly help to carry out a mission that changes lives one step at a time.

Congratulations Stephanie Marienau

ASAP Africa’s Stephanie Marienau will graduate from Vanderbilt University this May with a degree in English and French. She was overjoyed with the latest news that she was accepted into George Washington University where she can continue her education in international development. Stephanie will also travel to Malawi after graduating from Vanderbilt to develop ASAP’s contacts and research for our expansion projects.

Stephanie will celebrate her 22nd birthday tomorrow the 31st of March. HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHANIE! This is going to be one BIG celebration.

Field Work/Community Work – A Work of Love

Being an ASAP Field Officer (Community worker/ Social worker) must be rooted in deep love for what you do for yourself and for the clients or community you serve. “He being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one, being a force of nature instead of feverish, selfish, little clot of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy”. George Bernard Shaw once wrote this statement referring to it to be the true joy of life, meaning that community work/field work is not the best for somebody with complaints, grudges, and ailments, or some one who should only focus on project benefits to himself.

All knowledge is in vain when there is no work. All work is empty when there is no love. Working with love can best be symbolized to weaving a cloth with threads drawn from the heart as if your beloved were to wear that.

To work with love would be likened to sowing seeds with tenderness and reap the harvest with joy, as if your beloved were to eat the fruits.
By: Manjoro Lovemore- Field Officer, Sakubva

Spring Forward with ASAP

ASAP is springing forward with some of our newest activities and latest accomplishments. We have prepared our spring newsletter for our friends to take a look at some of the newest births at ASAP as well as the growth of some of our older projects. This is truly an exciting time for all of the ASAP family. We are expanding our work into Malawi and bringing forth new partnerships in the United States. Enjoy the spring breeze while reading the ASAP Newsletter!

Improving Lives One Drip at a Time

In observance of World Water Day March 22, 2007 ASAP Africa has set a goal of providing 300 rural families directly affected by HIV/AIDS with the ability to extend the limited water available for year-round farming through home Drip Irrigation Kits. “We only need 240 more like-minded people, each donating $70, to reach our goal!”, according to Shannon Dunn, ASAP Africa’s Fund Development Coordinator. A single drip kit will allow a family of five or more to harvest crops all year-round - year in and year out. Located in Zimbabwe, the project will improve the lives of some of the neediest families living on Earth today.

There is no life without water. Nowhere is this more true than in the subsistence farming communities in rural Zimbabwe. Along with the ASAP training in Permaculture techniques, a home Drip Irrigation Kit creates a drought resistant family that will endure regardless of the rains. It enables them to use a relatively small amount water to produce abundant crops throughout the year. This enables the community to not only to better care for themselves but also to care for the increasing number of HIV/AIDS orphans in their community.
Your $70 donation today will bring new life and hope to a family, enabling them to sustain themselves throughout the year. Some may think that one person can not make a difference, but they are wrong! One person can make a difference. Just Imagine - the amount you may spend on one nice dinner ….only $70…. will help a family of 5 or more eat for a year!

For more information on how you can help ASAP Africa in their efforts to help people in their efforts to improve their own lives, call 770-632-7451 or e-mail shannondunn@asapafrica.org. You may also make your donation on-line at www.asapafrica.org or by mail to:
ASAP Africa, 189 Fulton Ct., Peachtree City, GA 30269

Don’t wait...Do it now!

Giving Back

Tom Arsenault and Elizabeth Bara were recently highlighted in The National Peace Corps Association Worldview Magazine as “Giving Back” to our countries and communities through service. Tom and Elizabeth joined the Peace Corps and served in Swaziland from 1989-1991 where they actually met and married. After returning to the United States they devoted their life to service and co-founded ASAP Africa. Today, they have built an organization that serves well over 25,000 Zimbabweans working to bring themselves out of poverty.

-Shannon

New Partnerships for ASAP

ASAP Africa and Catholic Relief Services have joined forces to bring the Out of School Adolescents project to Zimbabwe along with four other consortium partners including Community Technology Development Trust (CTDT), Lead Trust, ORAP, and Practical Action. The goal of this project is to improve the economic, food security, health and psychosocial well being of out-of-school adolescents in Zimbabwe. The three objectives of this project are 1. To improve the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of OSA within an environment that respects and supports the rights, citizenship and responsibilities of each adolescent 2. To enhance the capabilities and assets of OSA and 3. To strengthen the safety nets of communities and households, especially those headed by OSA.

The fact is that 60% of the targeted adolescents have lost one or both parents and now have the responsibility of taking care themselves and other siblings. What about their EDUCATION? Many of these youth are resorting to drugs, prostitution, and other crimes to find means for survival. This just adds to the cycle of poverty and AIDS/HIV.

The mission of the OSA-SP project in to reach 42,000 youth in the 5 provinces and 12 districts of Zimbabwe by 2009. Once becoming a part of the project OSA will obtain vocational training and skills, positive role models, and an abundance of resources to ensure a chance of a healthy productive life.

The Study Hall's International Festival

ASAP Africa had an awesome experience at the Study Hall’s International Festival. We were invited to share our organizations history with the scholars that attend the Study Hall this past Friday. The event was developed to give students the opportunity to experience other countries and cultures. They were encouraged to ask any question that would help them get a better grasp on international awareness. I was amazed at some of the questions I was asked like “Why aren’t there any books in their library, wouldn’t their feet hurt really bad without shoes, and what do the kids eat on the weekend?” I reminded the children of how fortunate we are to live in the United States and some even asked me if they could donate their shoes or get their parents to give money. The concern that these students gave for other students around the globe was almost overwhelming.

The day was also filled with a village market that included: crafts, photos, international food, and memories that they will hold for a lifetime.

Thank you Google Grants

ASAP Africa was recently honored by receiving a Google Grant of up to $10,000 a month worth of advertising ads for one year. We are so thrilled to have been chosen for this grant. Now, ASAP can really get the word out about all of the programs that we are implementing in rural Zimbabwe to eliminate poverty.

What this means… when you are browsing on the internet and type in some key words such as Zimbabwe charity ASAP Africa will appear in your sponsored links on the right side of the page. This promotes the awareness of our organization and makes is that much easier for you to become an active member of our team. Thank you Google Grants!

Mission for Africa Celebration

ASAP participated in the Missions for Africa Celebration hosted by the International Christian Fellowship. The event was the beginning of many to come with hopes of uniting small organizations that have the heart for Africa. The program included the ICF Praise Team, Sis. Susan Pierre, VIRTUE, and many more.

The ICF mission is situated on 500-acres of land in Bong County, Liberia. When the facilities are fully completed the campus will be able to host over 300 students.

The ICF Ministries will host their 2^nd Annual African Experience Cultural Festival on Saturday April 28, 2007 11am-10pm at the Lakewood Amphitheater. For more information call 404-363-3300.

Working Together Today for a Brighter Tomorrow

This past weekend ASAP took part in “The Gathering”, a wonderful event bringing together people of all beliefs for the common goal of restoring communities. The event began on Friday night with a reception and continued Saturday with guest speakers, workshops, and even free massages. ASAP was honored to be a part of such a positive event. We had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Mike Weaver, Senator Fort, Derrick Boazman, and Stedman Graham just to name a few.

We will be setting up a booth this Saturday the 24^th at the Mission of Africa Celebration from 3:00pm to 7:00pm. This will be a wonderful opportunity for those interested in ASAP's mission to come down and meet with us personally. The location for this event is:

Fountain of Faith Missionary Baptist Church
6712 West Fayetteville Rd.
Riverdale, Georgia 30296.
Admission is free