About Us
Mission Statement
The African Orphan Education Fund is dedicated to promoting education at all levels for orphans in Africa, especially for children orphaned by the AIDS pandemic, in order to provide these children with the tools necessary to fight poverty and conquer disease.
Our goals include:
- Awarding scholarships for primary, secondary, vocational, and university programs.
- Provide uniforms and supplies to students and schools in need.
- Provide volunteers to facilitate teacher training and curriculum building at all levels.
Why African Orphans?
The one region in the entire world most affected by HIV/AIDS is that of Sub-Saharan Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa is home to two thirds of all people living with HIV/AIDS, and three out of four people dying from AIDS. Global orphan numbers would be falling were it not for this epidemic. The proportion of orphans in sub-Saharan Africa has increased by over 50 percent since 1990. By 2010, sub-Saharan Africa will be home to an estimated 50 million orphaned children, and more than a third of them will have lost one or both parents to AIDS. The result is that these children will have no access to an education, and in turn, will be stripped of the opportunities that basic schooling affords. By excluding these children we are only paving the way for the cycle of poverty and disease to continue. It is imperative that we empower these children to break this cycle and to eradicate the poverty and disease that plague this region.
Our goal is to sponsor as many of these children as possible, for whom an education would otherwise be impossible. Affording these orphans the chance to go to school is a vital part of the solution and a guaranteed way to lessen the horrifying impact of HIV/AIDS on the continent.
Board of Directors
- Chairman, Meredith Bowen
- Secretary, Sallie Bear
- Treasurer, William V. Bowen, Jr.
- Directors, Alexandra Russo
Robert Cheshier
William V. Bowen, III
Sharon T. Bowen
More About Meredith Bowen
Four years ago, Meredith set out on what would become the beginning of a life-long commitment. Having graduated from Syracuse University, Meredith decided to take some time to dedicate herself to a worthy project. Meredith’s desire to volunteer, in addition to her love of children, led her to the Rift Valley Children’s Village in Tanzania, where she volunteered as their pre-school teacher. Funded by the Tanzanian Children’s Fund, the Rift Valley Children’s Village is a home for children orphaned in Tanzania, many by the AIDS pandemic. Many of the faces you see on this site are children from Rift Valley.
This experience changed the trajectory of Meredith’s life. She has returned to Tanzania three times since and was so inspired by the educational needs that she founded The African Orphan Education Fund. With connections to orphanages within Tanzania, as well as to others in Uganda, Malawi, and Kenya, The African Orphan Education Fund hopes to make school possible for children throughout the region. But it won’t happen without your support!
The African Orphan Education Fund is a registered 501 (c)(3) not for profit. Tax Deductible donations may be sent payable to:
The African Orphan Education Fund
2584 Fenwick Road
University Heights, Ohio 44118
Online Donations can be made through the Network for Good.
