Day of the African Child 2023
Day of the African Child is always a focal point in our calendar. The annual event commemorates the Soweto uprising on 16th June 1976 when a student march about the quality of their education and the language they were taught in led to over 1,000 children being injured and 100 sadly killed in protests during the fortnight following the march.
Now, the day continues to raise awareness about improvements needed for the education of African children.
This year - on 16th June - we’re sharing 16 facts about African Children’s Fund. How many do you know?
Join in the conversation on our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn pages too!
About African children’s fund
African Children's Fund is an Oxfordshire-based charity founded in 2006.
We work with partners in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe who deliver the projects we support.
Each year, our partners collectively help almost 4,000 children go to school.
About KENYA
Kenya is the first country we worked in and the Porridge Clubs are the first project we supported.
Kenya was also the introduction for the first Education All Month, Every Month programme in 2012, a project that focuses on improving girls’ education.
Our partner, African Children's Fund Kenya, has run a legal aid programme called HAKI since 2011.
About TANZANIA
The Quentin Junior Academy in Tanzania was established in 2009 to offer free pre-primary education to children in the suburbs whose parents had to work.
The Education All Month, Every Month programme runs in the Arusha area in the north of Tanzania, and is led by our partner School Girl Essentials.
About UGANDA
In Uganda, the Nsimbe transit home acts as a temporary residence for up to 20 children at a time who have been rescued from the streets after having been neglected, abandoned or simply lost. As well as living in safety, they enrol in local schools.
After a Covid-induced hiatus, the team at SAFE Uganda has also resumed child protection forums in schools, churches, mosques and community centres.
About ZIMBABWE
Mwana Trust in Zimbabwe was established to supported children affected by HIV/AIDS in the area around Mutare. They now work with 300 children each year and make sure they can continue to go to school.
In addition to educational support, Mwana Trust also has a team of voluntary caregivers who provide psychosocial support to children who have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS.
RAISING FUNDS
In 2022, African Children's Fund raised over £5,000 from sponsored challenges. So far in 2023, fundraising pages have raised over £3,000. Our supporters take on organised events or create challenges of their own.
We have 3 Oxfordshire charity shops in Faringdon, Grove and Witney. Each shop is run by a Manager and a squad of volunteers!
In case you're not local, we also have an eBay store. Nick and Mary make sure new items are listed regularly and sold items are despatched promptly.
HOW CAN YOU DONATE?
Did you know... you can donate to African Children's Fund on our website, by Bank Transfer, via JustGiving, on Facebook OR in person in our shops! Which do you prefer?
Thank you for helping us continue to raise awareness of education in Africa as we celebrate Day of the African Child. We hope you’ve learnt something new about African Children’s Fund today! We’re incredibly grateful for your ongoing support that means almost 4,000 children have improved educational opportunities presented to them every school day. What a phenomenal impact!