Thanks for Your Support

Dear Friends,

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank each of you for all your support of Arm in Arm in Africa. As I shared with you during Arm in Arm Weekend at St. Joan of Arc last month, our ability to sustain our commitments in food, healthcare, and education in the townships of South Africa has never been more challenging. The pandemic -- especially with the latest variant first identified in South Africa -- has driven up food prices by 42%, and made the delivery of education and healthcare services even more challenging.

I also shared with you at that time that we had a fundraising goal of $130,000 to make our budget for 2021. At this moment, we have received just over $86,000 -- a tremendous response, but one which makes donations received between now and the end of the year essential to our making budget. If you have already donated to AIAIA this year, we are deeply grateful. If you have not yet supported us this year and have room in your annual giving plan, please consider us. Another way to support our work is to introduce us to a friend or family member who would be interested in learning more about us at aiaia.org.

I'll close by introducing you to someone who has benefitted from your support throughout the years. Thobeka Nombali has experienced the generosity of AIAIA as a single mother providing for her son. She now is not only a food beneficiary, but giving back by co-chairing the parent-led education committee in Malungeni. Arm in Arm was instrumental in bringing Africa A+ mentors into Malungeni to enhance the preschool teachers that Thobeka's committee oversees. Thobeka has a most compelling story to share in this brief video.

Wishing you a most blessed Christmas season.

Rev. James Cassidy, AIAIA President