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Programs
Links Africa facilitates linkages between United
States and Africa. Individuals and organizations from both continents attempt to expand
opportunities for children from under-privileged families
to access quality education. Programs
include the following:
Sponsor a Student
Student's sponsorship program is direct, personal and hands-on.
Links Africa targets the increasing population of poor girls
who are bright but drop out of school because their
parents cannot afford the rising coss. As a sponsor, you
can choose from the following initiatives:
Direct matching: Links Africa working in collaboration
with participating schools selects the most needy students.
Prospective sponsors can either elect to sponsor a particular student
or the school. For more information about sponsorship, please
click here.
Links Africa Award: This is a merit based award
that is offered to the best performing students. This ward acts as an incentive
to encourage the girls to work harder and excel. Award recipients
are selected by the board of directors at the end of every
school year upon the recommendation of the school administration. To support this initiative, please
click here.
The local leadership helps to identify the needy students to receive educational support. With your support, Links Africa would provide poor girls with the necessary resources
and tools to access quality education in order to realize
their full potential.
Contact us today
Campaign Against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) & HIV/AIDS
FGM is still commonplace in Africa, despite advocacy to illegalize the outdated tradition. Proponents argue that circumcision increases a girl's chance of marriage. However, studies show that more than 75% of men prefer women who are not circumcised. Moreover, the procedure is outrageous, outdated, cruel, painful, unnecessary, barbaric and a violence against women. FGM MUST STOP NOW!
The dreadful procedure entails the removal of varying amounts of tissue from the private part of a girl. Young girls are helplessly stripped and pinned to the dirt floor. Their tiny legs are spread and held wide apart with a tight grasp. In this most vulnerable position, using a jagged rock with sharpened edge, the most tender area of the young girl's private part is mutilated. With blood gushing out, the raw edges are sewn in place so that when the scar tissue forms a tiny opening is left for urinating. This heinous and crude procedure are performed by people without medical qualifications, and anesthetic.
Some girls do not survive the gruesome procedure and those who do face many long-term medical problems, including HIV/AIDS infections and major childbirth complications. Most girls feel that their mothers have the power and will to save them from such grisly procedure. Hence, Links Africa has embarked in an effort to sensitize women against FGM. We are working closely with the government to abolish and criminalize this cruel and unnecessary practice.
HIV/AIDS continue to wipe families in Africa leaving young kids without parents. The poor families are disproportionally affected as they do not have access to the necessary information regarding their healthcare. The ignorance about the killer disease
prevents girls from making informed decisions. Poverty compounds the horrific situation as young girls who are orphaned are forced to engage in child labor in order to feed
their siblings. It is such desperate situations that
Links Africa's strives to address. Hence, we provide needy girls
with necessary information, training, counseling, and advocacy for Human Rights.
Links Africa believes that timely information
would significantly safe the lives of innocent girls. Currently, these girls are victims of unfounded myths and discriminative culture. Education would enhance the opportunity for impoverished communities stand up for their rights! With your help, we can advocate for the rights of girls.
To donate, please click
here.
Training of Trainers and Mentors
Links Africa recognizes the instrumental role that teachers
play in the lives of the students.
We train teachers on
skills of supporting girls psychologically, emotionally and
physically. This effort is aimed at helpng girls to successully complete their education.
We welcome volunteers to mentor the under-privileged students
on the importance and benefits of education.
We invite women and men of good will from various disciplines
to share their experiences with the needy students. We encourage
personal stories to up-lift the broken hearts of poor children
and encourage them pursue education with determination and
vigor. If you are interested in mentoring program, please complete the
application form if you
would like to be a mentor.
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