AFFORD: An African foundation to enhance the Contributions of the Diaspora

By Onyekachi Wambu, London.

The African Foundation for Development (AFFORD – www.afford-uk.org) was formed in 1994 by a group of Africans for two main reasons. First, in response to concerns, that despite the vast number of Africans in the UK who organise themselves and contribute to Africa’s development, Africans were effectively marginalised from so-called mainstream development activity directed towards Africa.

Second, there was a realisation that different African communities have varying levels of organisational capacity and therefore there is much that different organisations can learn from each other.

Africans in the diaspora are now a major stakeholder in Africa’s development. Through their remittances, they are now recognized as the biggest ‘aid donors’ to Africa. But their contributions go beyond this , supporting old schools, hospitals, and other social infrastructure. AFFORD’s mission is to enhance and expand this contribution to Africa’s development.

Through its programmes and projects the focus of its work is to: (1) strengthen the capacity of UK based African civil Society Organisations (UKBACSOs) through promoting networking and linkages between them and facilitating key contacts and useful introductions for them; (2) establish linkages and partnerships between UKBACSOs and Africa-based African organisations working for Africa’s development; (3) establish linkages and partnerships between UKBACSOs and other actors, including governments, businesses, bi-lateral and multilateral agencies and UK-based mainstream organisations working for Africa’s development; (4) Engage young Africans and support their efforts to contribute to Africa’s development.

Opportunity Africa

The latest of AFFORD’s projects is Opportunity Africa (OA). Started in September 2004, OA provides a gateway to Africa-related/ international development careers, training & education for young people of African descent in the UK diaspora. It also aims to enhance their skills base and job preparedness, making it easier for them to move into full-time employment in this sector.

Targeting 16 – 30 year olds, the main objectives of the project are:

• to increase young Africans’ understanding of their career options;
• to facilitate internship and volunteering opportunities with African and other organisations;
• to build the capacity amongst UK-based African community organisations so that these can provide effective careers information and signposting to young members of their communities;
• to build links between institutionally-based careers advisors and international African developmental careers advisory sources

Events and Activities:

Careers Seminars

Since its inception, the project has facilitated several Careers Seminars, which provide detailed guidance on careers and educational aspirations, advice on effective job hunting, making job applications and job interview techniques, amongst others. The seminars are conducted by a professional careers advisor.

One-to-One Career Sessions

Following each careers seminar, one-to-one career information sessions are held. They provide an opportunity for individual careers guidance - each young African discusses their specific needs on a one-to-one basis with the professional careers counsellor. This helps to shape their individual career aspirations and destiny.

Internship & Placement Opportunities:

After attending the careers seminars and ensuing one-to-one sessions, the young Africans make concrete decisions about their individual career/educational plans. Some decide that they wish to enter the world of work, but often lack practical work experience, therefore excluding them from the labour market.

In this respect, Opportunity Africa secures internship, volunteer and placement opportunities for these young people in companies/organisations that fit within their chosen job sectors. So far, AFFORD has secured internships with various organisations in Africa, including the Student Youth Travel Organisation (Ghana), the United Nations (Senegal) and the World Bank (Angola), amongst others. This route will enable them gain the necessary work experience required by most employers.

Contact AFFORD: Onyekachi Wambu, Information Officer, on 44 (0) 207 587 3905 or by Email onyekachi@afford-uk.org

For further Information about Opportunity Africa: Christine Matambo, Youth Programme Officer, AFFORD on: 44 (0) 20 7587 3904 / 3900 or by E-mail on Christine@afford-uk.org