Usap Gives Back
Internships at the United States Educational Advising Center, Harare
Starting in the summer of 2003, USAP students have returned home to Zimbabwe during every school holiday to work as interns at the US Educational Advising Center located in the Public Affairs Section of the US Embassy. The interns have not only worked to support and advise USAP students on their way to the US, but also have been instrumental in organizing pre-departure activities for all Zimbabwean students preparing to study in the US, including an all day annual pre-departure orientation in mid July and seminars on topics ranging from "How to get the most out of a liberal arts education" to "The art of course selection" to "US Academic Writing." In August 2003, two USAP interns organized a three day intensive residential Returned Student Conference for Zimbabwean students who were home for holidays or had returned after graduation from colleges and universities in the US. Since 2003, the center has at least one student currently studying in the US working as an intern. The USEAC greatly appreciates the energy, creativity and dedication of its summer interns and encourages interested USAP students to apply for summer internship grants and funding at their various colleges and universities to come home and make a difference for the next generation!
Tatenda Foundation
Founded by Anywhere Sikochi, Middlebury College '05
Tatenda Foundation was founded with the primary goal being to raise and provide scholarship funds for local kids in Banket, Zimbabwe. Over the years, while developing the foundation into a formal organization, they have sent textbooks for high schools students studying literature, history and other humanities. They have also managed to pay school and examination fees every year, in the last five years, for five to twenty students. The foundation also initiated partnerships for local groups and students with some U.S. organizations with common interests that led to funding of sporting equipment for use by youths in Banket. Tatenda foundation is based in Boston, Massachusetts.
Bhlasen.com
Co-founded by Proud Dzambukira, Harvard College 07'
Bhlasen.com aims to directly engage and influence the formation of perceptions of Africa. They seek to open lines of illuminating dialogue among African university students and also between them and their peers from outside Africa. They intend to bring their voices into the global dialogue to proactively assert and defend the multiple expressions of African identities and directly confront unfair negative perceptions of the continent.
A Step Towards Health, A Step Towards Peace
Co-directed by Getrude Chimhungwe
A step towards health, a step towards peace is a grass-root project that received funding from the Davis Foundation's "100 Projects for Peace" and the Dorothy Ann Foundation. The two organizations donated a total of US$17,000 towards the project that was geared towards equipping a health clinic to be self sufficient. Two students, Getrude Chimhungwe and Mufaro Kanyangarara, worked on setting up a chicken farm whose proceeds are now benefiting the health clinic. The clinic which is managed by Tsungirirai Zimbabwe serves over 500 HIV/AIDS orphans around the Norton area in Zimbabwe.
Seeds Of Africa
Co-founded by Simba Marekera, Yale College 07'
Seeds of Africa is a publicly supported, non-profit organization that financially supports academically brilliant students in Zimbabwe from poor families so that they can get an education. We believe that for those who are born poor, education is a weapon to conquer poverty, bring enlightenment and change lives. We believe that education and knowledge is the most powerful tool to bring change, independence and innovation to Africa and the whole world. Amongst other things, our foundation provides school fees, books, uniforms to each student. Apart from providing funding, we connect each student to an accomplished local business executive or leader to serve as a mentor the student. Seasoned business and government leaders in Zimbabwe, South Africa and USA serve as advisors to the foundation.
MAUYA – Chiedza Childcare Centre Project
Supported by Usap Ithaca College alums
MAUYA, Ithaca College African Student's Association adopted Chiedza Child Care for the years 2005 and 2006. Chiedza Child Care center, located in Harare, Zimbabwe aims to provide a caring home for vulnerable children, mostly those orphaned by the AIDS epidemic. Chiedza assists the guardians of the children in the community with immediate needs while empowering them through income generating projects like rabbit rearing and growing vegetables. Through fundraising activities on campus, MAUYA was able to raise money to contribute towards school tuition, food and uniforms for the children at Chiedza. The HIV/ AIDS pandemic has escalated the number of orphans whilst the economic conditions in Zimbabwe have made it harder to access basic commodities. In the midst of this hardship, Chiedza still thrives, helping over 250 children with school fees, uniforms, hot meals, after school tutoring and a fortnightly clinic with volunteer doctors. The Usap Ithaca College alums are continuing their support for Chiedza Child Care by making semi-annual contributions to the center.