Other Initiatives

To keep the USACF program viable, we must remain open to changing needs. Some new initiatives evolve naturally from existing programs, others are born out of responses to unforeseen crises and still others come from unexpected opportunities.
Below are some of the new programs USACF has recently started. We are proud of USACF’s flexibility and its willingness to expand into new areas as need and opportunity presents themselves.

1. Distance Learning Degrees (DLDs)

Over the last two years, thousands of Zimbabwean teachers have left the system. Zimbabwe’s education system, once regarded as among the best in Africa, is now struggling to just remain operational. Because of the economic meltdown and lack of decent wages, almost a quarter of Zimbabwean teachers have left the country. Others remain home because the cost of a bus ride back to school is more than their salary. Even the teachers who struggle to stay on find it difficult to do their job. There are often no books, no chalk and no paper.

USACF, with our partner ORAP, has formulated a plan to put at least some teachers back in front of classrooms. We are offering high school graduates who have passed their “A” level exams and qualified for university, an alternate route to getting a degree when they cannot afford university fees. USACF will pay for their “distance learning courses” provided they agree to teach in one of our 75 Zimbabwean schools for the four years it takes to earn their degree. DLD candidates can be sponsored for as little as $250 a year. ORAP has found more than 200 qualified high school graduates willing to participate in our program. The stumbling block is finding enough funds to sponsor all of them. As of this writing (May 2009) USACF has raised enough money to put 40 teachers back into schools. Because of our efforts 2,000 more children will have a teacher to instruct them.

If you are interested in sponsoring a DLD candidate, email us your request. We will in return, send you the necessary forms. Sponsors will receive a profile of the person they are sponsoring as well as a photo. Two annual progress reports will by sent to the sponsor by ORAP staff. We also encourage candidates to write at least one personal letter to their sponsor.

2. Pig Farming in Tanzania

The request came to us directly from the Mbeya Educator’s Network (MEN). MEN staff needed a way to earn money for their program. Some of the money raised would go to cover the expenses incurred by their monthly committee meetings. Other profits would be channeled directly back into the schools. It was MEN that suggested pig farming as a good reliable source of income.

USACF donated $2,000 towards the purchase of six quality breeding pigs and enough feed to keep them happy for a year. It is hoped that each pig will have two litters a year. A pig committee was created to oversee the project. One person in each of six selected villages was chosen to care for a pig. Everyone involved has high hopes that this project will yield real results within a two year time frame. We are proud to say that two of the pigs were named after Mark and Sheri.

3. Our Two Dental Clinics

About a year ago, Dr. Ruwadzano Chikosi, an active member of the Council for Zimbabwe approached USACF seeking solutions to the mounting dental crisis in Zimbabwe. Along with many of Zimbabwe’s hospitals shutting down, it seems that dentistry and dental services are also in jeopardy. At the University of Zimbabwe, one of the few places in Zimbabwe that still trains dentists, students who have completed their course work cannot take their practical exams because the University lacks the working equipment and materials necessary to take the exam. The problem is compounded by the fact that many practicing dentists have left the country while those who remain can no longer practice because they lack working dental stations and basic materials. The average Zimbabwean can no longer find a functioning dental clinic even if he or she had enough money to pay for the service.

It was decided that USACF would try and secure some of the needed equipment and if successful would ship the donations in one of its containers. Dr. Ruwadzano Chikosi and Mark Grashow attended the 2008 Dental Convention at the Javitts Center and spoke to a dozen companies that provide dental equipment. Although agents were helpful and optimistic as of this writing none have provided materials.

We were much more successful by working through friends who were dentists and their supply agents. An old friend put us in contact with Paterson Dental. They have supplied us with two complete dental stations, brand new work counters, dental cameras and other needed equipment. The value of their donations is in excess of $50,000.

Half of the donated dental equipment will be sent to the University of Zimbabwe for use in the dental program. The other half will be used to set up a dental clinic in Bulawayo. USACF is hopes that a working clinic can be set up by the end of the year.