Dear Friends,
This year started with a single objective; to establish our presence as a newly founded human services organization providing essential human services to the elderly in our communities. We never imagined the magnitude of the need for our services that ensued at this phase of our existence. It was an immediate challenge for our young organization and a test of our commitment to our mission. Shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic broke, our leadership responded with courage and agility, pivoting from a planning phase to coordinate a swift humanitarian response to the growing pandemic. Given the limited understanding of the spread of COVID-19 at the time, many governments worldwide resulted in implementing drastic shutdown measures to curb the virus’s spread. It quickly became evident that many African countries with inadequate social safety nets would be adversely affected by these measures.
Despite our infancy, we did not shy away from the enormous challenge facing all of humanity. Besides the disruption of global air travel, our biggest obstacle was limited financial and human resources. But thanks to your generosity, we innovated and joined other seasoned humanitarian agencies in doing our part to alleviate the pain and suffering we witnessed at the time. We were able to mobilize volunteers and utilize technology to provide nutritional aid to the elderly population in rural villages in Kenya.
In May 2020, ASOFI launched the Village Pantry Program to give hope to the communities we serve that we would be there for them long after the politicians’ empty promises had faded away. ASOFI has provided over 18000 meals to the elderly at our pantries in Kenya.
In June 2020, we partnered with local, national, and international organizations to organize the 1st ASOFI Virtual Health Fair. The event brought together medical professionals working in the frontlines, including doctors, dentists, nurse practitioners, and nurses who provided timely and authentic information about the COVID-19 pandemic.
In September 2020, we partnered with other nonprofit organizations to distribute over 100 dental care packs, including toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, dental floss, to elderly folks in Frederick, MD, and Lansdale, PA. We are grateful for the donations we received from the National Dental Association to support our Community Health Programs and provide much needed dental care supplies when dental service providers could not deliver routine dental care.
In October 2020, we held our 1st Anniversary Fundraiser to provide farmers with seedlings and other agricultural supplies to prepare for the next harvest season.
In December 2020, our Rafiki Cubs Youth Program engaged children in mask making and baking activities and fundraised for the Village Pantry Program to feed the elderly during the holiday season. So far we have raised $400 from our first bake sale ever and we hope to do more before the end of the year. Youths from diverse backgrounds ages 8-13 are welcome to join the program, which provides unique opportunities for them to acquire vital life skills while engaging in community service. Visit https://africansociety.org/rafiki-cubs/ to learn more.
Providing health and nutrition services to the elderly during this pandemic remains our single most important cause. With no one to care for them in their sunset years, fighting poor health and unable to engage in any gainful economic activity, there is no lower ground for these folks to descent to. This sadly is rock bottom. We are not naïve about the magnitude of the nutrition problem among the elderly; neither have we sought to or been able to meet every single case we encounter. Instead, we have refused to watch poverty exacerbated by this pandemic take our elders from us in misery. We hope that more people and organizations will embrace our cause and implement it widely, so please share our story and follow us on social media. Together, we will ensure that grandparents and great grandparents can experience some compassion in this lifetime.
As we settle into the festive holiday season of joy and giving, we wish you and your family a Happy Holiday and a New Year. We also invite you to make a donation to support a program of your choice. Donations received before the end of the year are tax-deductible in the year they are made to the extent permitted by law. Your continued support will help ASOFI continue our mission; to improve lives through education, health promotion, and capacity building and make a lasting impact on the elderly in our communities.
Remember to download your annual donation statement online.
Sincerely,
Abel Kingoo
Executive Director
African Society Foundation