African American Self-Help Foundation

God's love effectively expressed through hot meals, clean water, healthcare, education and vocational training to homeless children worldwide; also providing assistance to qualified single African-American working mothers.

Why do we exist?

African American Self-Help Foundation exists to express God's love effectively and efficiently through hot meals, clean water, healthcare, education, and vocational training to homeless children worldwide as well as assistance to qualified single African American working mothers here at home.

What have you accomplished?

USA

Here is the testimony of just one of the African American single working mothers who have received assistance from AASHF:

"God had directed me to people that would assist me at a time when I could not help myself. My mortgage was behind, and very independent as I am, I thought it was a shame to have to ASK for help. Yet, I found myself ASKING. Reluctantly, I called them and spoke with their representative. She was very understanding and consoling. Miraculously God opened the door and they sent a check so I could pay my mortgage and a little more for groceries.

I consider them the ANGELS OF GOOD DEEDS, and because of their actions, I wanted to help someone else. So, now I am a community activist. I am working for the senior citizens and the youth. I love the work, because I can see the community working together. It is so gratifying to hear a thank you or see a child who did not have hope, have hope!

I can never thank AASHF enough for their prayers, support, love, and understanding. But, I can take the love that they showed me and share that love with others."

AFRICA

Here is a story from our children's home in Uganda:

Since the death of her parents two years ago, Nakimbugwe (13) has been living alone with her four siblings in their hut. No one cared about them. The mud cottage was totally dilapidated. At night, rats came in through the cracks under the door and nibbled on the feet of the sleeping children. During the day, rays of light penetrated through the rusty, corroded roof, full of holes. The house was surrounded by trash. The mud cottage, which served as a kitchen, collapsed a long time ago. The brother's attempt to rebuild the hut with bricks failed. There was practically nothing edible left in the garden, which was the only food source the children had. We found Nakimbugwe in this situation. Only through the sympathetic kindness of one of our co-workers was she able to overcome the distrust and come with her siblings to the Children's Home. Here she receives the protection and the love, which her wounded soul has longed for.

Like Nakimbugwe, many children in Uganda are experiencing the trauma of being left alone to fend for themselves. The decade long war and the AIDS epidemic have ravaged millions of families. Despair rules the country. In the most seriously affected regions, many have given up trying to survive and just wait for death to come. They lift their weakened voices and say, "We will all die." New Hope is therefore not just the name of the children's home … it's our mission. Because the children have suffered so much emotionally as well as physically when they arrive, hope is their greatest need. With tender care, safety, family, provision, and lots of love, little by little, our children discover new self-confidence and a new will to live.

The children's home tries to be as self-sufficient and independent of outside help as possible in these conditions. For instance, the older children look after several hundred chickens which lay more than 500 eggs daily. And oxen for field work are cared for by the younger children.

The director of the children's home reports, "The children come to me alone or as fragmented families. Most of the time, either one or both parents are gone. The remaining family members are brought together as large families of 12 children and one co-worker who assumes the role as the parent. Children of all ages live in these families. Every family receives its own piece of land and a hut. There is a central house, which is used for meals and family meetings. The families use their land to grow their food and to raise their own animals - cows, chickens, goats, or rabbits. All the children participate in this."

Nakimbugwe and her little brothers and sisters have found new hope and a new home, thanks to the compassion of generous people who care enough to give. New Hope is one of African American Self-Help Foundation's many projects in Africa.

	How do you help people in my community?		Why do you need my support?
	How can I be sure that you will use my money wisely and won't waste it?		Can I Volunteer? How?