After working with Action in Africa for over two years, Samantha has ended her time as our Country Director and is on her way to graduate school in London. We are grateful for the time she spent with us and all she did to help get Action in Africa to where it is today. Read Sam's testimony about her time in Uganda with the link below. www.actioninafrica.com/paststaff
JENNA THOMPSEN
Jenna is originally from Massachusetts, has a background in teaching English as a second language, and has worked with a few different education-focused organizations in Tanzania. She officially joined the AIA team as Country Director in June. In addition to day to day management tasks, she is working directly with our staff to help them with the programs they oversee.
AIA'S INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Within the last year, Action in Africa has designed a robust internship program for the graduates of our Secondary Scholarship Program who wish to join our University Scholarship Program. Our 6-month internship program provides training in hard skills such as computer proficiency, typing, resume writing, English language development and more. Additionally, this program cultivates soft skills such as leadership, flexibility, problem-solving, teamwork, and accountability. We believe that this 6-month internship program will not only prepare our students for University but also gives them a strong foundation to be the next leaders, innovators, and change-makers of Uganda!
As our Secondary Scholarship Program grows and more students graduate each year, we are thrilled to have a system in place to streamline them directly into our University Scholarship Program. Less than 10% of Ugandans have the opportunity to attend University. We are determined to see that statistic grow.
The above picture includes our current University Students and our current interns. By August 2020, every student pictured will be members of Action in Africa's University Scholarship Program.
SHAKI'S PROGRESS
Shaki is one of the students in our Special Needs Program where he receives a scholarship from AIA to attend a children's center for kids with special needs. He attends this program three days a week, participating in physical therapy, music therapy, aqua therapy and more. In the last several months we have seen major progress in Shaki's development and mobility. Excitingly, he is now able to walk independently using custom-fitted crutches! Together with his parents, therapists, and AIA Staff, we will continue to help him achieve greater independence by working on his mobility, fine motor skills, self-care routines, and English literacy.
ARTOLUTION + CHIME FOR CHANGE
This past year Action in Africa partnered with Artolution and Gucci's philanthropic arm Chime for Change. Together we created a mural at Global Citizen in New York and then brought it to be permanently installed at The Center. While in Uganda, Artolution magically transformed the walls of The Center to vibrantly tell the story of our community center and the people of Nakuwadde. The video above highlights this project which was in honor of our beloved Imran Lubega (2012 - 2018). We hope you enjoy it!
MIKAYLA PELLERIN As a senior at American University, Mikayla started at Action in Africa as an intern in January 2018. After graduation, she officially joined the team as our Operations Assistant, where for the last year she has supported Sarah in the DC office with stateside operations. We are sad to see her go but wish her luck as she pursues her passion for environmental protection.
Read about Mikayla's time with AIA below! www.actioninafrica.com/paststaff
SYDNEY FELDER
Sydney recently joined AIA as a Communications Intern. She’s been passionate about graphic design, photography, and writing for as long as she could hold a pencil. In her free time, she loves going to concerts and watching classic 60’s sitcoms. Sydney is currently updating our website, designing a donor spotlight series, and creating social media content. Keep an eye out on our social media platforms and website to see what she is working on!
WE'RE HIRING! We are looking for the best of the best to join the Action in Africa Family.
We have a phenomenal team between The Center in Nakuwadde, Uganda, and our office in Washington, DC. Our team is successful because they are supportive of one another, love their jobs, have great senses of humor, are eager to jump in to assist with urgent needs, are flexible with the consistent changing needs, and are 100% committed to the mission of Action in Africa.
Does that sound like you? Check out our current availability to potentially join our team! www.actioninafrica.com/careers
We restocked our inventory and added new camo hats and cooking aprons (like the ones our mama's use at The Center). Yes, we still have the classics such as bracelets, blessing bowls, shirts, stickers, etc! And as a thanks for reading our email, use code "SUMMERSALE" when checking out to receive 40% off your entire order. (Valid now until August 30th)
The exact same low prices, vast selection, and convenient shopping experience as amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of your purchase price to Action in Africa. To shop Amazon Smile, go to the link below, sign-up, and choose ACTION IN AFRICA (Washington, DC, incorporated in 2010) when selecting your charity.
By supporting Action in Africa, you are helping us serve the children, women, and schools we work with in Uganda. Consider making a one-time or monthly tax-deductible contribution with the link below.
Thank you!
