Africare ― Black American Philanthropy in Africa

Africare is a US-based non-profit organization specializing in development aid for Africa. It is also the oldest and largest African-American led organization in the development field. Since its founding in 1970, Africare has delivered more than $710 million in assistance and support through over 2,500 projects to 36 countries Africa-wide. The organization employs over 1,000 people, largely indigenous to the countries and the areas where it works.

This is a study in leadership and also competing African and American black interests. As an organization, Africare seeks to become the leading voice speaking on Africa within the US. This is likely to be much more difficult to attain than becoming the premier NGO working in Africa. The many sources of opinion about American policy in Africa and many channels of expression are fragmented. They do not have name recognition or influential sponsors. In addition, there is poor coverage of African affairs in the US, except for key, often tragic, events. As Penelope Campbell notes, Africare has a heritage and it has filled a niche in American society. Unless it reclaims its unique assets, it may lose the distinctiveness that enabled it to survive for forty years.

The challenge for Africare is spreading its story and message. The author raises disturbing fundamental issues. Has foreign aid become such an industry that the patient must not be allowed to get well? As the military cannot afford peace, it seems the world cannot afford the cessation of poverty. Campbell argues that success in Africa has been so elusive not because of the failures of development organizations, private or governmental, but because of the magnitude of the issues involved. The author presents a clear and convincing case for aid to Africa, and the pitfalls involved—past and future—and for Africare's potential as a leader in meeting the continent's unique needs.