Each of us can look back upon someone who made a difference in our lives, someone whose wisdom or simple acts of caring made an impression on us. In all likelihood, it was someone who sought no recognition for their deed, other than the joy of knowing that, by their hand another's life was made better. Stephen M.Wolf
Want to Help Make a Difference in the Life of a Child? With just a small donation, you can help to change the future of many of the poorest children in South Africa. Any amount is appreciated. All donations go directly to the children of South Africa   Most of the infants at the creches wear old adult T-shirts as diapers.  $300.00 would provide a year's worth of diapers to 30 infants.        $40.00 a month will sponsor a child whose parents are unable to pay.    $480.00 would sponsor a child for a year of schooling. You can specify what age or gender you'd like to sponsor. Your donation would go to providing food, transportation, and education to the child of your choice. Ages range from three months to seven years of age. Photos and updates from your sponsored child will be sent to you.    If you are interested in more information about A.F.R.I.C.A., Inc or donating to disadvantaged children of farming community Pre-Schools in South Africa, please contact us. Dana DeYoung A.F.R.I.C.A., Inc.   NPO# C2898908 185 E.Oak View Ave. Oak View, California 93022 email: dana@africainc.us
Kids for Change Cassie Ellis and her Peace Bottle  This story begins with a little girl named Cassie Ellis. When Cassie was in pre-school, she and her classmates participated in an activity that promoted the concept of peace. During the school year, they collected pennies, nickels, and dimes and placed them in a small water bottle “bank”. They named their bank the Peace Bottle. The children were encouraged to find loose change and not raid piggy banks. At the end of the year, each child could choose a charity to donate his or her money.  Well, the school year ended and still Cassie had not made her choice. The next year, she entered kindergarten at Ojai Valley School. I was her teacher. During the year, the kindergarten class learned about South Africa and many of its cultures. We batiked African T-shirts and sold lollipops and popcorn to raise money for the children of Philippi. One day, Cassie presented her bottle to me. The decorations on it were tattered and torn, but the word Peace stood out. She had made her choice. It was to go to the children of Africa. We opened her bottle and counted out a little over $31.00. She knew that this money so lovingly held onto, would help the children to have a better education and a brighter future. Through Cassie’s compassion and her inspiration, we now have a Kids for Change program. Collectively as a class, my kindergarten students research various charities and they choose one to receive their donation. This coincides with our money unit, so counting is really reinforced!  Last year’s class raised over $ 200.00. Some of them chose our local Surf Rider Foundation or the Search and Rescue organization. A few chose Africa’s children. Through this project, the children actively participate in making a difference in the lives of others and they learn that all of us have a voice in advocating for a better world.