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Need we say more? africansinthediaspora.org/invest
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We launched our “New Year, New AiD” fundraising campaign today! We have 40 days to raise $30,000 for 3 incredible African organizations. Who will you support? And why? #WeGive #NewAiD
As a member of the Somali Diaspora, I’m particularly interested in AiD’s Fundsprogram, as I think this type of initiative is an important step in responding to the NGO industrial complex that often misuses funds, and perpetuates a state of dependency that compromises African autonomy. I think the diaspora is gaining momentum, and now is the time to pool our resources together, and implement structural frameworks that can transform us into agents of change rather than dependent reactionaries.
An initiative that allows members of the African Diaspora to invest their social, financial and intellectual capital for social and economic change on the continent? For all of this trendy talk on “diaspora engagement” beyond the micro scope, Africans in the Diaspora walks the walk.
Africa is the source of my ‘roots and my wings.’ It remains the place where I find both my grounding and the inspiration for me to reach forward. I have been privileged to have the opportunity to travel across the continent, and through that opportunity find energy and inspiration from the hard work and ingenuity that people use to overcome the limitations of their context. I am blown away by how Africans create opportunity where others might see hopelessness. AiD is about turning up the volume of those efforts through collective action of the daughters and sons of Africa.
Check out the AiD Team: http://africansinthediaspora.org/about/team/
Solome Lemma is the co-founder of the new organization Africans in the Diaspora (AiD). Solome, who is a graduate of Stanford and Harvard Universities, was also one of the fourteen Diaspora community leaders from the Horn of Africa that were highlighted as a White House Champion of Change earlier this year. Regarding her new venture, Solome says: “We want to disrupt and re-shape the meaning of aid.”
An African in the Diaspora
An African in the Diaspora
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“Timely project, beautiful website, PERFECT name—let’s take aid back and own it—AiD!” — Jacqueline
Solome Lemma, Founder and Executive Director, Africans in the Diaspora (AiD)