Out of AfriKids
October 2010
AfriKids is a Child Rights Organisation working to improve life for Ghana’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged children in a holistic, inclusive and sustainable manner
Initial Concept Sketch
Striving for Sustainability September was a busy month for our Sustainability Projects – the incomegenerating initiatives which will financially sustain AfriKids Ghana locally in the future. Architecture for Humanity UK have just completed their first draft of our Eco Lodge design, which was taken to Ghana for review and will be the focus of an architectural peer review in London during October. The designs are looking great and we’re looking forward to building work starting.
Above and far above: Sketches of Eco Lodge concepts Below: An existing resort
Meanwhile at the Medical Centre we now have three new doctors starting work. Dr Anthony, Dr Ernest and Dr Maimunat will be working in the consulting rooms but will also be closely involved with the strategic planning of the Medical Centre which is currently being driven by Ibrahim Issah (our new lead administrator), Didas Azanoore (from the Head Office) and Nick Eastcott. Nick is coming to the end of his Vodafone World of Difference year with AfriKids and his work has had a fantastic impact; not only has the tripartite ‘GAS Partnership’ for healthcare training grown enormously, but the five year strategic plan for the Medical Centre is also nearing completion. Finally a new project is also taking shape under our ethical trade banner: an AfriKids ethical soap factory! A potential sister project to our current shea butter cooperatives, we are in talks with a pioneering Fairtrade cosmetic company on incorporating local botanicals to produce 100% natural and Fairtrade certified soap and other products, to be sold through major retailers like Oxfam, Traidcraft and Ocado. The business case for this project is currently being reviewed so watch this space for an exciting update!
AfriKids Eco Lodge Above left to right: The Eco Lodge designs are inspired by the local vernacular, aiming to combine high standard facilities with traditional style and design; the Eco Lodge will aim to support local industries; site plan of Eco Lodge
AfriKids Ethical Trade Above left to right: A seamstress at work; the weaving of our baskets; cracking the Shea nuts to make the Shea butter
AfriKids Medical Centre Above left to right: A child receives treatment; Bismark investigates; Comfort at work at the Medical Centre
Out of AfriKids inside stories Support our Director in his Mount Kilimanjaro climb! As reported in our June Newsletter, our Director, Andy Thornton, will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro this December. He has just got back from another inspiring trip to Ghana and the realisation that December is fast approaching has set in. The fear has kicked the training into action and Andy is on target to reach his goal. Andy and the Big Dreams Trek will be embarking on this well known trip in a bid to raise a staggering £50,000 for AfriKids. Since we last updated you, they have collectively raised £28,948! Andy Thornton has taken on numerous fundraising challenges to date for AfriKids. This is his latest venture and we urge you to wish him well and sponsor him and the Big Dreams Trek team. If you are able to support them, please go to Andy’s JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/Andy-Thornton
‘One Day’ at Deutsche Bank raises £193,000 for AfriKids As one of Deutsche Bank’s Charities of the Year, we are extremely lucky to be provided with countless opportunities. One of the biggest opportunities this year to be given by Deutsche Bank happened just over a week ago, whereby employees of the bank are encouraged to donate ‘one day’ of their salary. This is then generously matched by Deutsche Bank and donated entirely to the two Charities of the Year. With just a few clicks on the computer, staff members have donated what equates to one day of their salary before tax. All AfriKids staff went to Deutsche Bank to maximise on ‘One Day’. We were flyering all over the buildings and then allowed to walk along the trading floors, persuading as many people as possible to donate. We were all accompanied by new and old celebrity friends who kindly gave up their day to add even more excitement to the trading floors! Thanks to our loyal celebrities’ efforts, this day set a new record, with a total of £386,000. Split equally between the charities, AfriKids can start putting an astonishing £193,000 to use! Thank you to everyone at Deutsche Bank!
AfriKids show London Fashion Week how it’s done! On 22nd September 2010, London Fashion Week came to an almighty close at One Mayfair, when AfriKids hosted their Alternative London Fashion Event. The evening’s success can clearly be seen in these photos and it has created a real buzz. The main event during the evening that was causing such a stir was when we revealed Ted Baker’s line of underwear, modelled by Rugby stars Ugo Monye, Danny Care, Nils Mordt and Seb Stegmann. (Pictured Below) Without their courage and humour we would never have had all the screams, cheers and excited feedback! With the press there all fighting over pictures of our rugby stars and designers showcasing their latest collections, the night was entertaining, exciting and extravagant. All in all it raised a total of £20,000 and we owe big thanks to Deutsche Bank for sponsoring the evening.