| Nonprofit organization KI-AFRIKA is run by people who are interested in African geography and its diversified culture, people interested in learning Swahili, one of the major languages spoken in East Africa, and people concerned about the various problems in Africa and aid for African people. Since we started our activities as an NGO in 1995, we have invited many students, artists and diplomats from African countries, especially those from Kenya and Tanzania, as lecturer at our monthly Africa Seminar. We also invite Japanese people who are working in diverse fields relating to Africa. Until now, we have listened to those people's comments and opinions, and discussed various themes about Africa. Sometimes we watch African videos and listen to African music. Every summer we have an African cuisine party to enjoy cooking and dining delicious local foods, in which anybody can join. We also participate many Africa-related events, such as the Global Festa and African Festa held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to introduce our activities and sell African folk crafts just to yield a profit to assist NGOs in Africa and help promote education for children in the region. Since 1998, we have supported with our scholarship more than 100 students who have difficulties to receive school education. In addition, we are donating wooden school desks attached with a bench that can be shared by three children. To date, we have donated near 500 desks (for 1500 students) to elementary schools in Kenya. We will continue to do anything we can to help establish a bright future for children. Beside the Africa Seminars, we have held Swahili language lessons once a month for more than ten years. Native Swahili speakers from Tanzania and Kenya, together with Japanese expert Swahili teachers, are always making efforts to instruct in easy-to-understand, practical Swahili for beginners as well as higher-level learners. Our original three text books include “KARIBUNI! MASOMO YA SWAHILI (Welcome to the Swahili class!)” issued in 2000, which guides basic Swahili grammar and give practice in daily conversation, featuring lively photos of African children taken by a female photographer Miwa Yamashita. She is one of our members since the establishment of KI-AFRIKA. [Policies of activities of KI-AFRIKA] * To be managed by members’ self-activities and cooperation Our steering committee members are chosen from participants of KI-AFRIKA. All activities are decided and executed through discussion among this committee group. * To introduce Africa through various activities 1) Africa Seminar Held to facilitate communication between African and Japanese people, to introduce people who are working for Africa, to see videos from African countries, and to enjoy African arts and crafts. 2) Swahili language class Held to learn basic Swahili language, Native Speakers from East African countries, especially from Zanzibar island where the most authentic Swahili is spoken, teach rudimentary Swahili for beginners, and practical Swahili conversation for advanced learners. * To support African children We send scholarship and learning goods to African children. For the time being, we aim to assist other NGOs, to work for Africa on the financial side. But our ultimate goal is to give 'direct' support to Africa. |
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