americashare.org

Education – School Sponsorship Programme

Through our School Sponsorship Programme, we’re helping children who might not otherwise be able to afford a quality education. AmericaShare places these vulnerable children in reputable boarding schools with the help of sponsors.

At present the cost is $1,500 to sponsor a child and includes: tuition, books, uniforms, room and board and all the basic items a student needs. Once you have committed to sponsoring a child, we will match you with a child from our waiting list which is prioritized by those who are most in need. Throughout the school year, you’ll receive letters and progress updates from your child and you can write back to them if you wish.

We’ve found that the child who is sponsored gets an emotional boost knowing that someone cares about them, and it provides them with a sense of hope and inspiration they’d never had before. Sponsoring a child has a direct impact on his or her life. By supporting a boy or girl in this way, you are providing them with the best opportunity to get out of the slum and create a better life for themselves.

Please help change a life by sponsoring a child’s education.

If you have questions, please visit our FAQ page on the School Sponsorship Programme.

Community Outreach – Harambee Centre

With the help of donors, we’re developing institutions that are creating a stronger sense of community… starting with Harambee Centre. This multi-purpose facility — built by Micato Safaris and AmericaShare with the generous donations of Micato travellers — is an oasis of hope for the people of the Mukuru slum. The buildings serve as a community centre, allowing residents to gather for lectures, educational sessions and meetings. Micato Safaris and AmericaShare also drilled a borehole next to Harambee Centre, and it is now one of the few places in Mukuru with a regular supply of fresh water.

We also partner with organizations to provide HIV/AIDS education as well as job and life skills training. One example is an ambitious initiative called The Partnership for an HIV-Free Generation (HIV-Free). Coordinated by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), our partners in this public-private initiative include some paragons of corporate philanthropy: The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation, Warner Brothers, Microsoft, Nike Foundation, Intel, Girls Scouts of the USA, Junior Achievement and Rotarians for Fighting AIDS among many others. The purpose of this alliance is to expand HIV prevention programs across countries that are severely impacted by the disease, with the goal of reducing the incidence of HIV/AIDS and improving the health status of youth in the coming years. By promoting positive behavior change, linking young people to economic opportunities and building gender equality, HIV-Free works to inspire and empower youth to live healthy and productive lives.

Economic Empowerment – Community Support Groups

In addition to working with a local microfinance organization to secure loans for small businesses, AmericaShare partners with several cooperatives to give the residents of Mukuru more economic opportunities.

For example, AmericaShare has helped organize a cooperative of women who make and sell handicrafts. The proceeds help the women support their families and provide much-needed services to many people in the village living with HIV/AIDS and its effects. In fact, some of the women have been trained and licensed to provide home-based care to those with the virus. Through the cooperative, these women are not only creating a better life for their families but for the community as well. Groups like this are growing and making a significant difference in Mukuru.

Visit How to Help to find out how you can support our initiatives.

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