A LETTER TO THE ASPEN COMMUNITY
To Action in Africa’s Friends and Family in the Roaring Fork Valley,
Happy fall! I have never chosen a favorite season, but I am beginning to realize how much I love the in-between. As summer fades to fall, I pull on sweaters, watch the leaves transform before they drop, and catch wafts of pumpkin and cinnamon in the air.
As I notice these shifts, I slow down and lean into the beauty of transition. It is my chance to reset and prepare for what is to come. This sentiment mirrors exactly where Action in Africa stands today.
I am writing this letter to you, and to our other longtime Roaring Fork Valley supporters, because I wonder if you have noticed the quiet transition happening at Action in Africa this year. We did not host any major events like our beloved annual pickleball tournament, our board of directors has been restructured with no current members based in Aspen, the Aspen High School club did not travel to Uganda this summer, and strategically, we no longer have staff in the Roaring Fork Valley.
At first glance, that might sound like a step back, but quite the opposite is true. Action in Africa is stronger than ever. I wanted to write to you because you have played such a vital role in building our foundation, and your support continues to mean the world to us. This next chapter is full of new friendships, laughter, and growth, and I am determined for you to be part of the journey.
I am so pleased to share that with the collective support of our community, we have:
Surpassed five million dollars invested in our work in Uganda
Celebrated ten years of our Nakuwadde Community Center
Expanded our board of directors to eleven global members with more than sixty years of combined nonprofit and international development experience
Hired three Action in Africa graduates in Uganda as full-time employees after fifteen years of investing in their education and lives, meaning all twenty-five of our full-time employees in Uganda are now proudly Ugandan
Begun construction on our second community center, a flagship model that sets a new standard for how people, communities, and organizations approach development in Africa
Secured two seven-figure gifts to launch our capital campaign
Already raised more funding in 2025 than in any previous year
And so much more!
As demonstrated by these achievements, the evolution of Action in Africa from its early days in Aspen in 2006 to where we are now looks vastly different. Still, I would be lying if I said that you and the entire Roaring Fork Valley community have not been on my mind lately. As I reflect on and celebrate the esteemed and credible international organization we have become, I also find myself considering what this growth means for our presence in, and connection to, the Aspen community. How do we continue to move forward at such a rapid pace toward a bright and promising future while not unintentionally leaving behind those who helped build our foundation?
The most fitting, albeit somewhat cheesy, image that comes to mind is that of a train moving at lightning speed, with all our Aspen friends and family standing on the platform. Some are waving goodbye, others are reaching out for hugs or even trying to jump aboard, but in many ways the train has already left the station.
This realization places me in a thoughtful position and also creates a special opportunity to return to our roots and have an honest conversation with you. How have you been feeling about Action in Africa lately? Perhaps inspired and proud of the impact you have helped make possible, yet also somewhat disconnected from the journey? Both of those feelings can coexist. My hope is that together we can acknowledge them and use that understanding to chart a meaningful way forward.
I would love to have this conversation with you, whether in person the next time I am in Aspen or more simply through a phone or video call.
In the meantime, there are several ways to stay engaged:
Stay connected: Sign up for our newsletter. Over the past year, we have focused on storytelling, so our photos, videos, and blog posts will transport you straight to Uganda with us.
Join the Scholarship Society: Our monthly giving program began in Aspen fifteen years ago, and your consistent support continues to create life-changing opportunities for Ugandan students.
Tap into your Donor Advised Funds: Now is the perfect time to give generously. Many DAF funds sit idle when they could be immediately deployed to power this next chapter of Action in Africa.
Fund our Future: Our annual operating budget is approaching two million dollars, and every gift helps turn our vision into reality.
Celebrate with us: Instead of our Winter Gala in Aspen, join us for brunch in Denver on November 16 or at our Black Tie Soiree in New York City on December 5.
I want to sincerely thank you, as part of our wonderful Aspen community, for helping launch this eighteen-year journey. As the saying goes, it takes a village, and that could not be more true. While Action in Africa’s roots run deep in the Roaring Fork Valley, our real work is just beginning. Will you continue to grow with us?
If you made it all the way to this part of the letter (you know I love to do this), will you let me know? Send back a quick response, even just one word, and I will pop a small gift in the mail to show how much I appreciate your time and attention.
The train has left Aspen, but if you reach out, I will gladly pull you in. All aboard!
With tenacious gratitude,
Sarah Elizabeth Nininger
