Although there are no simple solutions to the problems facing Africa’s people today, every act of solidarity adds up. Even making small changes in your life can have incredible impacts on the people of Africa.
Here are 9 ways you can make a difference:
1. Travel
Join the Bread and Water for Africa® staff and other adventurers like yourself on our August 2013 Kenya safari! Participants will explore many of Kenya’s breathtaking national parks, and our spokesperson Phyllis Keino will be your host in Eldoret, where you will witness first-hand three of our partner programs – The Lewa Children’s Home, Kipkeino Primary School, and the Baraka Farm! For more information, email us at info@africanrelief.org.
2. Learn
Books, documentaries, and other information on African history, politics, and development abound. The more of them you read and watch, the better sense you will get of what the continent is really like, and how different Africa’s 54 countries can be from each other. Africa is huge and very diverse – ethnically, historically, and culturally. A few suggestions include:
History: Africans: The History of a Continent by John Iliffe
Development: African Development: Making Sense of the Issues and Actors by Todd J. Moss
3. Share
Share your experience, ideas, and knowledge about Africa with friends and family. Discussing Africa with others spreads awareness and motivates others to act too.
If you have traveled or worked in Africa, give a talk to your class or to a group you’re involved in. If you would like materials to help you in coordinating a discussion regarding issues, histories, or current events in Africa, please contact us at info@africanrelief.org – we would love to help!
Also, share our Facebook page with your friends: https://www.facebook.com/BreadAndWaterForAfrica
4. Donate
Your donation can change the life of an African child. Every dollar helps.
5. Eat
Eat at African restaurants – there is no more delicious and engaging way to experience African culture close to home. Who knows? Perhaps your first taste of African culture will leave you hungry for more experiences! To start, check out a South African braai (BBQ) or a hands-on Ethiopian feast.
6. Visit
Visit local African events, expos, and museums. You will be amazed by the environment and natural resources and by the richness of African culture and diversity.
7. Support
Contact your Representative in Congress. Foreign-assistance programs represent a tiny fraction of our nation’s budget – less than one-fifth of one percent – but their impact is substantial. American aid saves millions of lives each year by putting children in school, helping women start businesses, preventing the spread of malaria and HIV, and assisting farmers working to improve their local economies. Indeed, foreign aid programs serve an important role in promoting positive relations between our nation and the world. Urge your local and federal representatives to remember our nation’s duty to our foreign brothers and sisters. Download a sample letter here.
8. Invest
You may be in a position to invest in an African business or to join a group of investors with African interests (there are a growing number of African investment funds). While Africa continues to confront many challenges, much of Africa is very developed and ripe for business, with many college graduates and solid infrastructure. Now, while economies are growing rapidly, is an excellent time to invest – six of the world’s ten fastest growing economies are in sub-Saharan Africa (http://www.brookings.edu/research/reports/2013/04/us-africa-commercial-relationship-schneidman).
9. Write
Voice your views and perspectives on Africa-related issues, emphasizing bright spots as well as challenges for Africa’s future. Myths about Africa are rampant, and they more you can educate others as well as yourself, the better we will be able to engage with Africa. Share your opinions with companies that do business in Africa. Author a guest editorial for your community or school newspaper, or post information on your blog, Facebook page, on Twitter, or your favorite Internet message board.
