Fellow Africa Diasporans and Friends of Africa:
Cheers on Friday from Ol' USA!
Back on the board with Ebola. Before we get to it, His Excellency Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe is the new of the African Union. Congratulations!
The Community Builder Caucus, a program of Continental African services, is focused on research and advocacy that result in resources, opportunities and favorable policies for Africans and fostering partnerships that help African Diaspora organizations with compelling missions. Generally, we interface with the public sector (government jurisdictions) and the private sectors to make it happen in all facets of development. We also conduct needs assessment to close the opportunity gap in order to ensure that African groups, professionals and business get "fair share" in equitable dispensations. We do not manage the programs; we do not receive money on behalf on any entity; and we do not charge people to promote any cause. The field may be rough and tumble, but you get up to try again, no blame game, no quitting because in these two lettered, ten words" If it is to be, it is up to us." Dr. Calvin Rolark.
This is a continuation on the Ebola front. Yes, the numbers are going down with fewer incidences of infection. The African Union launched an unprecedented partnership with cell phone companies in Africa to raise millions to combat and triumph over Ebola.
On the Diaspora Front, thumbs up to the leadership of the infected and affected nations, and the solidarity of African communities. Today it is Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia. Tomorrow it may be another calamity besetting other African nations. It is not easy, under any circumstances, for Africans to unite on a common goal. But there is progress. The knowledgeable commitment was sounded by Mr. I. Ezax Smith, President of Liberian Association of Maryland. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a step (Chinese proverb).
The whole point.
It is prudent to donate to front-line groups like Doctors-Without-Borders and Samaritan Purse as this was reassured with Maryland officials at the Governor's meeting. However, when peculiar drives are better understood by African (themselves) from those villages, it also makes prudent sense to help the native groups. Native does not mean un-civilized. lol. It connotes that these groups understand the structural realities, which include rural areas and the bushes; the language; and cultural nuance, including how the villagers respond to education on Ebola. At In those areas, an ill equipped nurse can use one gloves on 10 patients and contaminate some - unknowingly. At one point, some Sierra Leone residents tailed it to the bushes to avoid being quarantined. This left foreign experts in baffled states. They could not dare follow anyone near any bush. No kidding. It had to take developmentally appropriate, culturally relevant, and language specific approach for folks to understand the meaning and intent of "quarantine." That was just too much grammatical wonderland.
In mutual exchanges, it is apparent that African organizations with small resources but big conscience have collected valuable supplies and equipment but have to transport them to the destinations in dire need. Speaking with women like Mrs. Josephine Sekajipo of Liberia, Mme Cherif Haidara of Guinea, it is a CONSCIENCE CALL. Mrs. Sekajipo's organization is GEEBAMU(Let's come together) in loose translation. Mrs. Cherif is the president of the Manding Region in Guinea. Diaspora women, this is a doable, special appeal. In a day, at only $10.0o each, we can raise $30,000 to ship all existing supplies. You may skip a manicure or shampoo and save a life. You can send your support directly to the organizations. Another solution is assistance with FREE shipments. Do you know any company or airlines? Brussels have been helpful.
Another point: indigenous, long-term capacity building of Africa's infrastructure. Notably articulated by Dr. Dafe from Guinea, African physicians can be vital in this dimension. But Africa Diaspora has no umbrella entity. The disappointment was evident during the Bush 11 administration on the US HIV/AIDS Bill. When the former Senator Bill Frist (chair of the Foreign Relations Committee), a physician who had volunteered asked, there was no African Physician organization. The issues did not lend themselves to "country doctors." Long-term capacity redresses episodic responses.
Lastly, in Washington, DC, the government of the District of Columbia, in collaboration with the Center for Disease Control, held a National Ebola Conference. The former Mayor declared an Ebola day. African groups attended in droves. These groups should continue as a team with joint agendas to redress a common problem. For example, it would be helpful for concerned organizations like Ebola Scare Initiatives and other entities specifically focused on related issues, such as the welfare of orphaned children, to work together in order to have competent and coordinated approach. It is overwhelming to donors and it confuses the daylight with multiple Diaspora groups from overseas saying the same thing but not collaborating. In that case, there is a euphemistic madness in the method. We can cure that.
In closing, while Africans expect Americans to help, including help from Black folks, we can also show appreciation for those, especially natural allies, who have championed the rights of Africans. We cannot need partners while detached, clueless and unaware of the clueless-ness. That is what the program, below, is about - APPRECIATION of Black History Month and BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS. It is not a fundraiser, it simply covers the cost of all you can eat, drink, teach African American History, and understand the issues, network and build partnerships. Hope you find the outreach and educational activities on Jan 17 and 19 meaningful.
Yes, Artists with One Voice: Ebola We Shall Overcome will be performing! Show them some Love! These are artists from multi-nations. They are one of the Honorees at The Voice and Valor: Martin Luther King Builder and Patron Dinner-Awards at the close of the Black History Month 2015 on Saturday February 28, 2015 in Wheaton, Maryland. This novel program with public officials advances African interests and partnerships with multiple mainstream constituencies beyond race.
MsJoe
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ABOUT The PROGRAM
Who we are as a nation is a riveting story of the tapestry of America's diversity. The narratives may be unique with each population and generation but the contributions and shared responsibility intersect to build a better nation. The program salutes the voice and valor of individuals and institutions that promote an equitable, inclusive and humane society in our increasingly global and inter-connected society. In deed, African immigrants and descendants are beneficiaries of these ideals won and championed by institutions, men and women of diverse racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds and offices. The Honorees embody the spirit of sacrifice, duty, conscience and moral courage.
The program also celebrates Black History Month. " The history of African Americans is unique and rich, and one that has helped to define what it means to be an American. Arriving on ships on the shores of North America more than 300 years ago, recognized more as possessions than people, African Americans have come to know the freedoms fought for in establishing the United States and gained through the use of our founding principles of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to assembly, and due process of law. The ideals of the Founders became more real and more true for every citizen as African Americans pressed us to realize our full potential as a Nation and to uphold those ideals for all who enter into our borders and embrace the notion that we are all endowed with certain unalienable rights." Barack Obama.
During the Black History Month, volunteers will teach African American History to African youths in after-school activities and conduct educational tours to historic African American sites. The initiatives foster mutual education and cultural awareness between Africans and African Americans and also enhances mutual partnerships between African and American institutions.
This milestone event is a collaborative with diverse stakeholder constituencies. We hope you can support this milestone, made-for-documentary program with stakeholders, public officials, representatives of Embassies.and civic organizations. Find more information, below, including socio-economic opportunities through partnerships with government jurisdictions. The registration options are included in the link. Please, you may distribute to your friends, networks and membership.
With much hope and optimism,
Rev. Randolph Roberts,
On Behalf of the Community Builder Caucus, Collaborative Outreach Committee
" If you are not building it, you can patronize the builder"
A program of Continental African Services
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