Features / #BristolCharityAdvent
Bristol Charity Advent Calendar 2019, day 1: African Initiatives
African Initiatives is an international development charity based in St Paul’s that works with Maasai, Iraqw and other indigenous communities in northern Tanzania.
The charity concentrates their efforts on those who face the most extreme inequalities: hard-to-reach individuals who are excluded and stigmatised not only by the state but often by their own communities.
African Initiatives was established in Bristol in 1997 and since then they have believed in the power of partnership to enable local communities to secure their own long-term solutions to global problems.
They have always engaged with local communities through grassroots partners who have a deep understanding of indigenous societies and their shifting contexts.
“Over the years, we have seen how greater collaboration can achieve greater collective impact,” they say.
“Our expertise lies in bringing the right people together – community members; traditional leaders; government officers; local NGOs; global human rights alliances, international funders and supporters – to create lasting change.
“Together we break down the barriers that stop the most marginalised from realising their full potential.”
African Initiative’s approach has education and learning at its heart
The African Initiatives team sensitise parents to the value of girls’ education so they send their daughters to school rather than exchange them in marriage for a dowry.
They train teachers so girls and boys enjoy a quality education, pass their exams and stay in school rather than failing and dropping out.
They offer vocational and finance training to school leavers so they can set up their own businesses and enjoy a dignified way of living.
And along the way, they spread awareness of HIV/AIDS and family planning, encouraging open discussion about harmful cultural practices such as female genital mutilation and forced marriage.
If you want your charity to feature in Bristol24/7’s Charity Advent Calendar this year, email [email protected]
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