The African Philanthropist

Where I've been & shout out to Sister Girl Presents Inc!!

noreply@blogger.com (Bahia Akerele) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:09:00 +0000

It has taken me such a long time to get back to writing on this blog. This doesn't mean I haven't been online or manning the field of African Philanthropy or for that matter Philanthropy as it stands. I have...but man its been hard to get back on here. Not being able to write has also been affected by my personal health issues...still recovering from back surgery in 2008 and finally getting married this past December. My world has been spinning. I think this is all I can say...I have said it I have confessed it. I hope that in telling on myself I will now be shamed into writing..if this is even possible. So here I am announcing that I am back to use this forum to share the story of philanthropic activity in the Diaspora by Africans and Africanist.

Its a crazy time we live in and frankly confusing for me and maybe for you. What does this have to do with philanthropy? A lot. Can you be philanthropic during difficult times? Can you think about "home" thousands of miles away when your "current home" is almost on fire? Funny enough it is in these difficult times that people need more and in effect give more to those in need. The ways or vehicles that people use for their giving tends to change..but giving in and of itself remains an important aspect of our daily lives, especially those of us from the Diaspora.

What have you done these few months to give of yourself, your time or your talent? Have you given in your normal ways..to organizations, charities or whatever??? Have you given at church, a soup kitchen or to family and friends struggling? Or have you organized a charity event like Carrinne M Cooper in support of Liberian orphans through the organization Sister Girl Presents Inc. ?

With no prior Non Profit experience and a determination to bring a vision to pass, Sister Girl Presents organized their first Christmas Concert on December 12, 2009 in Takoma Park, MD. In their first concert and event Sister Girl Present raised $3,251.00 in support of orphans and the organizations that care for them in post conflict Liberia. The organization has raised close to $6000.00 towards their overall organizations goals. If you are interested in learning more about this organization or supporting their efforts please feel free check out their website and make an online contribution. Check them out on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=128800575670. The organization is now in the process of nominating An Orphan Project To Receive Raised Funds in 2010...check out the website and send in the name of an organization you think is doing great work in Liberia for the countries most vulnerable.

With so much happening in our world today I do continue to wonder what are we doing as individuals or as a community to keep supporting our communities of origin. If you know about philanthropic work that you would like profiled or connected in the world of philanthropy please let me know. I would love to profile them on the blog.

Happy New Year people of the world~

*More about Sister Girl presents " a new social service charity founded in 2009 is motivated by the Spirit of God to praise, fundraise and provide assistance to the orphans of Liberia, West Africa. SGP, a non-denominational Christian-based organization seeks to develop a successful and viable program to help orphans thrive and develop to be successful citizens, taking their place in society as productive and contributing members. In total dedication to the orphans of Liberia, our goal is to bring lasting solutions that meet the children's spiritual, physical and educational needs.Our spiritual objective is to identify select orphanages, individual orphans, schools and/or other organizations with orphans in need and to provide support in food stipends, clothing, shelter upkeep, school fees, school supplies, medical access and church mission participation."

In the Diaspora

noreply@blogger.com (Bahia Akerele) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:45:00 +0000

In the diaspora he sat down;
And there he wept;

Remembering Africa;
Mouth open, unable to a song.
Eyes full of the ocean;
Mouth imploded with praises;
Thought stacked full of memories,
Memories of Motherland Africa.
In bits he uttered;
Africa, my cherised home;
In the diaspora unable to a song;
I want to come to thee.

Chief Charles O. Okereke

Copyright ©2002 Chief Charles O. Okereke

Reflecting on Being Apart of our own Determination

noreply@blogger.com (Bahia Akerele) — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:35:00 +0000

"IF YOU ARE NOT AT THE TABLE WHERE DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE, YOU MIGHT BE ON THE MENU!" attributed to Dr. Norman C. Francis, President Xavier University of Louisiana the only Historically black Catholic University in America. Words to reflect on and act on ...what table are you sitting at?

The African Philanthropist Profiled on BlackGivesBack

noreply@blogger.com (Bahia Akerele) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 06:06:00 +0000

The Philanthropy in Africa Series at BlackGivesBack profiles The African Philanthropist. View blog here.

A Place to Call Home: Returning to Liberia

noreply@blogger.com (Bahia Akerele) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 05:48:00 +0000

An article about the desire to return home and the need to be apart of the development of the country written my Kate Cater..thanks Kate

Cachelle's School of Promise

noreply@blogger.com (Bahia Akerele) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 05:27:00 +0000

In 1990, Cachelle's School for Promise founder Shoana Clarke-Sayeh was displaced from her home in Monrovia, Liberia due to a devastating 14 year war. Today Shoana, an artist and photographer has returned to the country she always dreamed of returning too to form a school for orphans. A successful photographer, wife and mother Shoana is determined to contribute to the rebuilding of Liberian civil society through the establishment of schools for young orphans. To learn more about her work and support Cachelle's goals check out the organizations website http://www.mjaliberia.org/.

World class NYC based Ghanian surgeon performs spinal surgery through his FOCOS Foundation in West Africa

noreply@blogger.com (Bahia Akerele) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0000

FOCOS (The Foundation of Orthopedics and Complex Spine) is a non-profit organization established in 1998 by Dr. Oheneba Boachie-Adjei. The mission of FOCOS is to provide comprehensive, affordable orthopedic and spine care to underserved communities in Ghana and throughout West Africa. Through its international network of world-class volunteer surgeons and other medical providers, the FOCOS vision is to create a sustainable infrastructure that encourages local capacity building and professional development in these areas. Dr. Boachie-Adjei makes multiple trips a year to Ghana to perform complex surgeries on children who would could never dream of having their severe scoliosis corrected. Dr. Boachie-Adjei is head of the Scoliosis department at the world class Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City www.hss.edu. Dr. Boachie is well known in his field and is often called a 'miracle' doctor but remains committed to Africa and to employing his skills in it development. To support his work and learn more about the foundation check out www.orthofocos.org.

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf April 17, 2009 D.C. Book Signing to benefit Liberian Education Trust Foundation- This Child Will be Great

noreply@blogger.com (Bahia Akerele) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 03:08:00 +0000

Join President Sirleaf April 17, 2009 in Washington DC for her only DC official book signing of This Child Will Be Great: Memoir of a Remarkable Life by Africa's First Women President. The event will be held at the Ronald Reagan Building 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Wash. DC 20004. Proceeds of the book to benefit the Liberian Education Trust Foundation whose goal it is to build schools, train teachers and award scholarships.

On January 16, 2006 Liberia, the Diaspora and the world celebrated the inauguration of the first elected African women President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. The celebration, hope and promise of that day seemed to dim the pain of the past 14 years in which Liberia was embroiled in what has been called the most brutal civil war in Africa. Today 3 years later the country is rebuilding itself and doing the difficult work of repairing all its systems and structures. The war devastated all aspects of civil society most notably Africa's most valuable resource its human capital. Educational infrastructures were devastated around the country, making learning and educational attainment a mere dream for the countries children. The Liberian Education Trust www.liberianeducationtrust.org a US based foundation, started by President Sirleaf, seeks to raise money to build schools, train teachers and award scholarships to the nations children.

Lend your support to the work in Liberia for the support of its children and their education. Tickets to the event include a signed copy of the book. To purchase a ticket go to www.eventsbot.com/events/eb05935301