"Every day is like Black History Month here at Footprints in Africa."
- Tammy Darmel Moore, Founder and President
Black History Month is already nearing its end, and so far, we have experienced moments of resilience, progression, and renewed hope. Although the pandemic and numerous other natural and human-made disasters are still looming over us, changing the way we operate in real-time, we are optimistic for the future.
We believe that there will be brighter days ahead. Part of what gives us hope is the work that we do, the communities that we reach, and the fact that we are touching the lives of children in African communities and changing the way they see the world. This impact would not be possible without your support, and so we are thankful to each one of you for your dedicated giving and commitment to ensuring that the kids get access to the basic amenities that they need to survive.
Over the course of our work in Africa, we have seen many children face real challenges that have the potential to jeopardize their lives and future, yet the smiles on their faces whenever we visit them give us continuous hope, sets a challenge for us to do more, and causes our commitment in the cause to grow. Our passion for speaking up for children in some poverty-stricken African communities is evergreen and we are dedicated to staying relentless in the work that we are doing. Many of you joined our movement because you had a heart for our work and you wanted to support us on this journey. Your support and resources have helped us secure the progress that we need and we will continue to do more.
If you are following us on social media then you noticed that this month (being Black History Month), we highlighted and showcased influential African leaders across our social media pages to share with our audience the importance of remembering Africa’s powerful leaders. We firmly believe that with consistency in the work that we do, the children in the African communities that we serve will one day be influential African leaders themselves, and we believe that our baby steps will get us there.
Celebrating Influential Black Leaders
As we celebrate Black History Month, we can’t help but think of all the extraordinary African leaders and trailblazers who paved the way for the younger generation of African leaders. We celebrate these great minds today and every other day.
Nnamdi Benjamin Azikiwe - Nigeria (1904-1996)
Image Source: Britannica
Nnamdi Benjamin Azikiwe, also referred to as "Zik," was the first President of Nigeria from 1963 up until 1966 and Africa's foremost nationalist and pan-Africanist. Azikiwe was also referred to as the Father of Nigerian Nationalism and was instrumental in founding a string of newspapers across Nigeria. Born to Igbo parents, Azikiwe grew up being exposed to and eventually speaking the three major Nigerian languages (Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo). This multilingual attribute would later serve as an asset to him as president.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela - South Africa (1918-2013)
Image source: Britannica
Born on July 18, 1918, in Mvezo, South Africa, Mandela was the first Black president of South Africa, and he served from the years 1994 to 1999. His negotiations in the early 1990s with the then-president of South Africa, F.W. de Klerk, helped to put an end to South Africa's long-standing apartheid system of racial division, leading to a peaceful shift to majority rule. In the year 1993, Mandela was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace for his role in demolishing the apartheid system.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf - Liberia
Image source: BlackPast.org
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, née Ellen Johnson, is a Liberian politician and economist who was the one-time president of Liberia and was active in service from 2006–2018. Johnson Sirleaf was also a trailblazer because she was the first woman to be elected as the head of state of an African country. In 2011, Johnson Sirleaf was one of three recipients, along with Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkul Karmān, to accept the Nobel Prize for Peace to further women’s rights.
Travel Sponsors Needed
Although we have experienced quite a few travel setbacks as a result of the pandemic, our commitment to the cause remains unwavering. As we mentioned in our previous newsletter, we are actively seeking sponsors who will support our travel this year. If you are interested in being a travel sponsor with us, you can reach out to us at Contact@footprintsinafrica.org
Sponsor a Mingi Child
Sponsoring a Mingi child from Omo Child Home in Ethiopia is a personal way to show love and compassion to them. For $37 a month, you'll help that child and other vulnerable children in their community to stand tall and free from poverty. It can be life-changing when a Mingi child knows that they have a sponsor in the U.S. who cares about them. By supporting a child, you provide hope and essential care, and those are the most important things that these children need at this time.
Online Store
Highlights: 3-Tone Metal Twist Bracelet (Made in Mali), Small Leather Gye Nyame Travel Bag (Made in Ghana), Leather & Cowrie Africa Pendant Necklace (Made in Kenya), Mud Cloth Kufi Hat (Made in Mali), Kitenge Bucket Cap (Made in Kenya), and Carved Wooden Picks (Made in Senegal).
We are not your average online store. When you shop with us, you can shop with confidence, knowing that you have purchased an authentic African item straight from the Motherland. In doing so, your purchase(s) helps sustain small businesses, preserve families, support education, and invest courage into vulnerable communities throughout Africa.
Shop today @ https://www.footprintsinafrica.org/shop-1 and checkout some of the new arrivals, highlighted above.
Affiliate Partners
Thanks to our affiliate partners, MahoganyBooks, and Urban Intellectuals, we are able to monetize our brand further. When you shop on these sites using our affiliate link, you're promoting the mission and vision of Footprints in Africa, which also supports our brothers and sisters in Africa. To start shopping today, click on the links below, and don't forget to share our affiliate links with your friends and family!
Mahogany Books: http://www.mahoganybooks.com?afmc=a8
Urban Intellectuals: https://store.urbanintellectuals.com/aff/Footprints01/
Let’s Get Social
Thank you for your consistent support of our work. We invite you to connect with us on our various social media pages:
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As always, thank you for your continued support and for joining us on this journey!
We look forward to connecting with you again soon!
Stay safe!
© 2020 Footprints in Africa | PO Box 5435 Greenville, SC 29606 | 864-881-9000
Footprints in Africa is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization recognized by the IRS.