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africa outreach

africaoutreach

About Me


..
:One Person: Can Make a Change
Then:
During a short humanitarian trip to Transkei (old South Africa) in 1990, Kurt Dahlin fell in love with Africa and the needs of its people. After returning to California he steadily researched many African countries and tangible ways to help.
In 1994 this man gathered a team together that would assess the humanitarian opportunities in Malawi, Africa. While there the team became overwhelmed by the scarcity of water and lack of sanitation. They met countless women who walked hours each day just to serve "buckets of disease” in their homes.
By 1996 a partnership with a borehole drilling company based in Blantyre, Malawi was established. That summer the first “Africa Outreach” well was drilled in Mchiwa village in the Phalombe District, which served about 2,000 villagers.
Now:
Since then funding has come from large and small donors to provide more than 150 thousand Africans with safe water each day.
{For more information on our current projects view the section below.}

My Interests

The :Need:

Today, Malawi is among the world’s highest suffering countries.In Malawi 90 percent of the population depends on agriculture and lives in rural areas. Despite economic support from sources, such as the World Bank, the people of Malawi continue to suffer. Strain on depleting agricultural lands, lack of water due to long-term drought and widespread problems with HIV/AIDS are major struggles facing the country.

Malawi Stats Overview

Population: Approximately 12 million

Water Index:
- 67% of population has access to safe drinking water
- 46% of population has access to sanitation
High degree risk of infectious waterborne diseases*

Hunger Index:
- 4.2 million undernourished persons
- 35% of population undernourished

HIV/AIDS Index:
- No. of adults living with HIV/AIDS: 850,000
- No. of children living with HIV/AIDS: 91,000
- Deaths due to AIDS in adults and children in 2005: 78,000
- Orphans due to AIDS (still living): 550,000

Malawi Info In-Depth

- Additional Water Info -
In drought regions the average Malawian woman walks up to eight miles a day to secure a single bucket of water. There is no guarantee that this water, used for cooking, cleaning, bathing and drinking, will not carry diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, parasites and diarrhea; all of which are deadly if untreated.

- Additional HIV/AIDS Info -
The prevalence and numbers of people in Malawi with HIV/AIDS and the inablitiy to contain the disease has been termed "extreme,"according to the UNICEF/WHO (2004) report. Futher, many Malawians are completely uneducated regarding the contraction and spread of HIV/AIDS. There are also prevailing cultural ideas concerning HIV/AIDS that are false and serve to spread the disease rapidly.* CIA WorldFactBook Other data taken from the UNICEF/WHO (2004) Joint Monitoring Program report

I'd like to meet:

Our Reach - Our :Projects:

Water Wells For Africa (WWFA) – A program dedicated to providing fresh, safe water in drought regions of Malawi, Africa. We fund the drilling of deep borehole water wells that have lifetime sustainability and unlimited water.

Medical Clinics – For two weeks each summer an Africa Outreach team (usually one nurse and several volunteers trained in first aid) run free medical clinics in villages throughout southern Malawi.

AIDS Prevention – During the summer trip to Malawi, Africa Outreach team members also conduct AIDS prevention and awareness discussions in rural villages.

Recycle for Africa – This is Africa Outreach’s newest fundraising campaign. Schools and churches located in the South Bay area have begun recycling to donate. Significant supporters to date are members of the Breakwater Church and participants of ShareFest South Bay.

- YOU can easily do this at your school, business, church or home (parties). Simply redeem your plastic, glass and aluminum at any California Value Refund (CVR) center, and then make a donation with the money you receive. Check out the CVR website: bottlesandcans.com for the nearest redemption center. {See our "pics" if you want Recycle for Africa logo, poster and info cards.}

Get :Involved:

There are many ways to get involved with this project, here are a few simple suggestions:
- Checkout our :Events: section to attend or participate in upcoming fundraisers
- Begin a recycling program {see "New Project"}
- Call us if you want to host an Africa Outreach speaker or a fundraiser at your home, school, or work.
- Tell friends about us

Donate
Make checks payable to The Breakwater - Africa Outreach's non-profit, mother organization.
Address:
1726 Manhattan Beach Blvd. Suit K
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Contacts -
Phone:
Danielle Cedillo at 310.995.7079
[email protected]

:Events:
SAVE THE DATE MARCH 27TH 2008
photography art show and benefit concert
-photography by Matt Wignall
-music by the Cold War Kids

-tickets at www.waterwellsforafrica.com
last years concert!