What we Do

Background
The reason for setting up the association in early 1991 was the need of African individuals and families for support at a critical time of a severe crisis. The spontaneous nucleus of support that emerged during the crisis eventually grew into a voluntary organisation affiliated to the Cambridge Council for Voluntary Service (CCVS).

Objectives

The immediate aims of the association consist in providing support and advice for the African community in Cambridge. Its overall raison d'etre is to represent the profile of the African community among the various sections of the city's population through the organisation of social, cultural and recreational events focussed on Africa and open to the public. By undertaking such activities, and by encouraging public participation, the association aims to enhance the understanding of the African community, in the belief that such understanding will contribute towards creating an atmosphere conducive to mutual respect and harmonious race relations.

Membership

Membership is open to all continental and Diaspora, i.e. people of African descent from the Americans, the Caribbean islands, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean islands, Africans living in Cambridge and to all members of the public genuinely interested in Africa, its peoples, cultures and issues concerning them.

Strategies

To realise its objectives, the association conducts six types of programmes:

Information, Advice and Support Service

The association's office run by volunteers is where information on issues of interest to members is collected, stored and disseminated in the community. The volunteers on duty provide or organise support and advice for members in need. The Office has resources to provide adult educational guidance and the association is registered to assist with establishing the British equivalence to overseas qualifications.

Community Education

Throughout the school year, help with tuition in sciences, mathematics, languages and other subjects is available for pupils who require it. Tutors are volunteers recruited among experienced and qualified members of the association. The association occasionally gives study grants of up to £200 to African overseas students resident in Cambridge.

Overseas Educational Projects

The association is in the process of establishing a working relationship with an African secondary school. The association aims to help with financial and equipment resources for the school.

Environment and Development

The association organises conferences and workshops to raise public awareness of current African environmental and development issues and to suggest appropriate strategies for systemic changes which bring about a sustainable development. Collaboration with local institutions with expertise in these matters is encouraged in promoting such discussions.

Recreational Activities

Various recreational events are organised for the youth group: games, trips, completions, parties, sports, films and video shows etc. The emphasis is on activities with educational value.

Fundraising

Fundraising events are regularly held and promoted under the name "Club Africa". The club holds a disco and dance party every Tuesday evening at the Devonshire Arms, 1 Devonshire Road, Cambridge (off Mill Road).