AIAIA Needed Now More Than Ever

At Arm in Arm in Africa, what we do matters…now more than ever. Unemployment rates in South Africa are at historic highs, food inflation continues to be a challenge, and South Africa remains the country with the highest income gap in the world.

The official unemployment rate in South Africa is 33%. However, if you count those that have given up looking for a job, it’s 42%. Youth unemployment is at a staggering 64%. To put this in perspective, four years after graduating with a degree in analytical chemistry, Lebohang Mphuthi serves meals at an elementary school. She is considered lucky to earn $215/month.

Zone leaders oversee the distribution of AIAIA food parcels to specific households identified as 'most in need' by their neighbors. This process ensures that our food parcels, purchased directly through your donations, reach those for whom they are intended at each of our distribution points.

South Africa’s annual food inflation rate for 2022 was over 14%. It remained over 10% through July of 2023. Since AIAIA donates food bought locally, our costs have gone up significantly. In addition, we need to provide security during our quarterly food distributions due to local food scarcity. We are working to help build more community gardens, but the need for emergency food relief remains strong.

Even though apartheid ended in 1994, South Africa still has the highest income gap of any country in the world. According to Time Magazine, the richest 10% of the population owns 85% of the household wealth.

Over half of the population lives in poverty. This can be overlooked as South Africa has abundant natural resources that have yet to benefit its poorest citizens.

Arm in Arm in Africa provides food, education, and healthcare to a country that desperately needs our help.

We appreciate your continued support over the last 23 years. We’re making progress, but we still have a long way to go.