January 2013 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
HAPPY NEW YEAR! A reflection on the top 10 memorable moments of our 10th anniversary 1
Two vehicles delivered to Upper East to be used as ambulances
Bob Chaundy and Nick Eastcott before they set off from the UK
The Ambulance Rally saw two reliable vehicles being driven from Swanage to Bolgatanga, Ghana, where they are now being used at the AfriKids Medical Centre to provide transportation in emergency situations. The ambitious journey took 21 days, and passed through seven countries, and raised an incredible ÂŁ30,000 in the process.
One of the vehicles driving through the desert
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Beginning of AfriKids’ Corporate Partnership with Allen & Overy
In May 2012 we were delighted to discover that after weeks of applying, interviewing and campaigning, we had been voted by Allen & Overy staff as their chosen charity for a two year Global Partnership. This was easily one of the highlights of 2012 as having experienced a partnership with
Experience Challenge participants in October 2012
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Ray with Helga Van Peer from A&O Belgium
Partnership launch, May 2012. David Morley, Georgie Fienberg, Wim Geerts & Nich Kumah
New Beginnings for 100 young people in the Upper East
AfriKids Ghana’s Comic Relief funded programme ‘New Beginnings’ is now well into its second year and 2013 is set to be a particularly important year for the 100 young people who joined the programme last summer. Drawn from across our area programmes and identified in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare, Ghana Education Service and local leaders, these young people are being supported to re-enter school or vocational training.
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Deutsche Bank, we knew exactly what opportunities were going to be available to maximise on. This partnership has gone from strength to strength and as we approach the second year (nearly having reached our two year target) we know that the sky is the limit.
A girl working in a mining communities where New Beginnings operates
Students at one of the schools New Beginnings beneficiaries go to
‘My First Day ar School’ campaign with TOMS
In September 2012 AfriKids Ghana launched a campaign ‘My First Day at School’, a campaign that promoted the importance of education and targeted children who had never been to school. Thanks to a new partnership with TOMS, AfriKids Ghana became the proud recipients of several thousand pairs of TOMS shoes. These shoes were distributed to children starting school in September as an incentive for taking the big step of going to school, an
especially daunting prospect when school is a place that has always seemed out of reach. “We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude for the shoes you gave to the pupils of the school. We are always happy for the pupils when we see them in their nice looking shoes.” John Atiah, Head Teacher, Ayeltige Primary School
A group of school children proudly displaying their shoes from TOMS
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Samuel begins a Physician Assistant Course, sponsored by AfriKids
Samuel, who came to Mama Laadi’s Foster Home in 2005, became the first AfriKids beneficiary to be sponsored by AfriKids Ghana to do a four-year Physician Assistant course at university, before going on to become a permanent member of staff at the AfriKids Medical Centre when he graduates. Samuel Yin outside Mama Laadi’s Foster Home
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AfriKids 10 Year Anniversary Ball
AfriKids celebrated our 10 Year Anniversary with a stunning ball at the Natural History Museum on 20th September 2012. It was a chance for all those who have helped shape AfriKids over the last 10 years to come together and celebrate all that
AfriKids has achieved.
The Natural History Museum provided a stunning backdrop for the evening
Gifty, one of AfriKids’ beneficiaries who attended the ball, singing ‘The AfriKids Song’
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The evening was made even more special by the presence of 13 staff members and beneficiaries from Ghana, who were able to join us in our celebrations.
Georgie Fienberg and Nich Kumah giving a speech at the ball
The Experience Challenge
AfriKids’ very own Experience Challenge took place in October for the third consecutive year, with 42 participants plus two families moving into the homes of local
families in northern Ghana for three days/nights. For many it was a truly life changing insight into the real Africa, with over £100,000 raised by participants for AfriKids’ projects.
Jimena Urretavizcaya, Senior Associate at Allen & Overy Madrid
Melissa Trovoada, Associate at Allen & Overy
Georgie Baker from RBS, with her host family
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Tough Crowd Photographic Exhibition
Tough Crowd was an exciting new event by AfriKids and Dave Brown. Dave Brown shot photographic portraits of some of the most wellknown comedians on the circuit, including Jimmy Carr, Bill Bailey, Lenny Henry, and many more. The project received some great reviews in the mainstream press (see ‘Online Page’ of this edition). These stunning portraits were then showcased in an exhibition at The Strand Gallery, and limited edition signed prints are now being sold on AfriKids’ website.
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Guests at the Tough Crowd press launch night
Launch of The Energy for Life Initiative (EfLI)
A highlight of 2012 was the launch of a new AfriKids social enterprise, The Energy for Life Initiative (EfLI). EfLI is a commercial distribution programme, which will see over 15,000 efficiently designed cook stoves sold across the Upper East Region, offering significant financial, health and environmental benefits. The first consignment of 5,154 reduced carbon stoves arrived in Bolgatanga for the launch of the Energy for Life Initiative in November. This is the first of 3 orders in the pipeline which will see up to
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Comedian Tom Meeten posing in front of his portrait
100,000 people benefit from more energy efficient and safer charcoal cook stoves.
The EfLI Team; Abass, Vieve, Sandra and Matthew
Modesta preparing meals for the children’s party using EFLI Stoves
The AfriKids Medical Centre had its best year to date
Under the superb leadership of its new administrator Didas Azanoore and excellent Medical Director Dr Ernest, the Medical Centre in 2012 improved its standing even further as a centre for paediatric excellence in the community.
Its forecast 2012 profits of over £100,000 will contribute immensely to AfriKids Ghana’s sustainability goal.
It treated a record 68,000 patients, 97% of whom are treated free on the point of delivery under the National Health Insurance scheme, 42% of whom were under 18. Bismark, Lab Manager at the AfriKids Medical Centre
Maggie Head Paediatric Nurse (in pink) with her team
AFRIKIDS ONLINE
The Independent- ‘Pictures of comedians when the laughter stops’
ArtRocker-’Exhibition Outings-Tough Crowd’
ShortList-’To Do List-Tough Crowd’
The British Comedy Guide- ‘Tough Crowd - Free Photo Exhibition in London’
Time Out- ‘Things To Do-Tough Crowd’
Huffpost Culture-’Tough Crowd’
AfriKids
Chris Hoy
AfriKids is looking for a trip doctor for the Experience Challenge in Ghana next April & November. Interested? We’d love to hear from you. katieaudus@afrikids.org
Very excited to receive some Mighty Boosh prints from @Jimmylazers very cool indeed. More of his wrk available at afrikids.org/shop 28 Dec
Virginia Spencer
Just learned about you through the BBC article being shared around on my friends facebook pages. Wonderful strategy. www. bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20762278
Kiran Gupta Great piece by @AfriKids founder on the future of charity advertising and sustainability BBC News Magazine:Viewpoint 20 Dec
Tough Crowd Launch Night
AfriKids This is the case that @GeorgieAfriKids makes @ 8.45pm on Radio 4. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/ magazine-20762278 … Listen live or after broadcast http://www.bbc.co.uk/ programmes/b01pcqkh …
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19 Dec
Let’s tweet @AfriKids
Thank You to all the schools and pupils who supported AfriKids in 2012 Throughout 2012 schools have found innovative and fun ways to support AfriKids. In November two schools came up with great ideas to engage youngsters with AfriKids’ work. Louis Wright from Dulwich College organised a wonderful bake sale competition for staff and students at his school. All the boys in year 8 got involved and successfully raised £238.
Not far from Dulwich, Blackheath Preparatory School were also organising their own competition; an art competition in which all of the drawings by the kids will be sent to Ghana to bring colour and art to the walls of a classroom in Bolgatanga. In the process they raised £400 which will all be directed to supporting children in northern Ghana, thank you!
Motivated and inspired by Louis’ talk on AfriKids his fellow peers Jai, Chyaro and Jamie then went on to organise a sweet stall and raised £117. Thank you Dulwich College for supporting the boys in their fundraising efforts.
FUNDRAISE FOR AFRIKIDS British 10k London Run 2013 This year AfriKids are again taking part in what was a fantastic event last year; the British 10k London Run. If you’re feeling sporty then why not sign up! The British 10k 2013 will be held in the Summer. Date of event: 14th July 2013 Deadline to register: 3rd June 2013 Contact to register: amaatteen@afrikids.org
www.afrikids.org