Global Alliance for Africa

Since July of 2006 GAA has worked to create a therapeutic arts program for orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS in East Africa. The objectives of the program are to train children of all ages in art techniques and specific indigenous crafts, provide a form of recreation, an outlet for expression, and most importantly, a healthy psycho-social context to remember the individuals they have lost. The musical element focuses on the theory and harmony of music but also the healing and expressive aspects of music to include movement and breathing. The program incorporates a strong component of peace and reconciliation for the children in addition to teaching musical and technical concepts. The instructors work with the children to share aspects of their ethnic identities to help create a sense of peace and unity among different tribal groups.  As many of the children have lost one or both of their parents from HIV/AIDS, the instructors will continue to develop new outlets for the children to express their grief and concerns over their losses.

Global Alliance for Africa works with schools, students, teachers and volunteers to raise funds to build libraries, collect books and provide educational materials for community  libraries/resource centers throughout East Africa. Global Alliance’s libraries primary focus is on providing educational resources to orphans and other vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS as a foundation for them to rise out of poverty. Our goal is to have five libraries completed by the summer of 2010 in Kenya and Tanzania. Libraries in Western Kenya and in Kibera Slums, Nairobi, have already been built. Once those five are complete, we will focus on additional libraries in Western Kenya, Northern Uganda, and Liberia.  These libraries are managed and operated by Global Alliance for Africa.  Each library will have a general collection; a children's library; a community room; and a resource center/internet cafe. Additionally, outreach to the community will be done through educational programs, literacy, conservation practices and other programs for adults and children.
It is important for the sustainability of these libraries to be intrinsically embedded in the structure of the host community, so that it will function as an indigenous catalyst that encourages education, self-reliance, and independence for all of the orphans and vulnerable children in the area. This cultural sustainability provides a broad underlying framework for the effectiveness of each library.

Global Alliance for Africa partners with households in Makomboki village to fund scholarships for adolescent boys and girls to attend secondary school.  The youth are either orphans or made vulnerable by the impact of HIV/AIDS, and have little or no resources to pay school fees.  If they are forced to leave school due to lack of funds, it is very likely they will never return.  And without completing their secondary school education, these youth are certain to experience a life of poverty.  Located in Kangare subdistrict in central Kenya, neighboring Thika Dam, the main source of Nairobi’s water supply, the population of Makomboki village is approximately 11,000 people, with 3 secondary schools, 7 primary schools, and 11 small trading centers.  The main cash crop in the area is tea, which is grown on small-scale farms.
 
Global Alliance has made an agreement with the guardians of these youth to raise funds for their school fees.  The agreement stipulates that GAA will pay for 80% of the annual school fees, and that the guardians will pay for 20%.  It costs GAA $150 to pay for one youth’s school fees for the entire year.  Please help us expand this program so that more orphans and vulnerable youth from the area will be able to attend and complete their secondary school education.

The Nurses for Africa Program (NFA) is dedicated to educating the next generation of nursing leaders in those African countries most affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. NFA provides college-level scholarships in return for two years of service in an area of need.
Starting in Tanzania, Global Alliance and our African partners identify young women orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS who have an interest in pursuing a nursing degree.  The program includes recruitment, site visits, and job placement after graduation.  In addition, NFA also develops educational opportunities and partnerships to enhance the role and status of nurses, improving health care delivery.