Acacia - April - May 2019

Please Remember Africa University in Your Will Issue: 02

Vol: 24

April - May 2019

Give Now

Africa University Development Office | P O Box 340007 | Nashville, TN 37203 Tel. (615) 340-7438 | Fax. (615) 340-7290 | Email: audevoffice@gbhem.org

Holman UMC Celebrates Usahwira Partnership with AU Photo courtesy of Jules Green

Holman United Methodist Brown, and Church has invested more the congrethan $50,000 to date in gation, the direct scholarships for Africa visit was an University students since its opportuni ty Usahwira partnership with to celebrate the university began 12 years their journey ago. with Africa In April, the congregation University hosted Africa University’s and its stuJames Salley, with Bishop Warner Brown, chief advancement officer, dents.

Holman UMC’s interim pastor, Mrs. Sandra James H. Salley, as its Palm Hardy, the scholarship committee chair, and her “Holman Sunday worship speaker. In UMC values husband, Mr. William Hardy. thanking members for their its ongoing generosity, Salley noted that as the only relationship with Africa University. Knowing predominantly African-American United that the students we have supported through Methodist congregation among the univer- the years are offering excellent leadership to sity’s 21 Usahwira partners, Holman UMC their churches and nations is deeply affirmwas in a class of its own. ing,” said Bishop Brown. “It was wonderful Through its ongoing friendship with to learn that our congregation is a leader in Africa University, Holman UMC has helped long-term commitment to AU. The visit has three African women to earn undergradu- reaffirmed our connection and our commitate degrees. The congregation is currently ment will continue.” supporting a fourth student.

Sandra Hardy chairs the Africa University For the interim pastor, Bishop Warner Scholarship Committee at Holman UMC.

General BMCR Supporting AU Dorm Rehab Appeal The members of General Black Methodists for Church Renewal (GBMCR) Inc. are providing support for the ongoing effort to refurbish the residence halls for women students at Africa University.

GBMCR initiated support for the appeal at its 51st general meeting in Sacramento, CA. Over the past year, contributions from GBMCR members as well as other friends and sources have enabled the university to refurbish two of the halls.

“We continue to encourage individuals, BMCR jurisdictions, churches, and UMW units across the church to also pledge to refurbish a dorm,” said Deborah Dangerfield, chairperson of GBMCR. “We will continue to support the dreams of the women students at Africa University with our financial gifts and prayers.”

Seven of the 12 residence halls are

designated for women. The women’s halls are 16 to 25 years old. Some flooring, tiles, fixtures and soft furnishings need replacement and walls need fresh paint. The cost to refurbish one room is $600. Updating an entire residence hall costs about $35,000.

The overall appeal goal for the women’s halls refurbishment project is $245,000.

She says the congregation has prioritized the scholarship ministry because women on the continent of Africa and around the world often have fewer opportunities to obtain a higher education and realize their dreams.

“We realize with every student that we support there is a ripple effect in their families and communities,” said Hardy. “We know their achievement will motivate those around them and encourage other young women to seek higher education. This is the ultimate benefit.”

When it is translated into English, Usahwira, a word from the Shona language spoken in Zimbabwe, means “a beautiful friendship.” Churches and individuals enter an Usahwira by committing to provide students with support for the duration of their degree program at Africa University. Usahwira partners encourage the students, follow their progress, and essentially become extended family to them.

June 8th Graduation The 25th graduation ceremony at Africa University is scheduled for Saturday, June 8, 2019 at Old Mutare, Zimbabwe. The class of 2019 is comprised of about 600 young people from 17 African countries.

Students from the College of Business, Peace, Leadership & Governance (CBPLG) account for more than half of the class.

The class of 2019 will also include Dr. Kenjiro Yamada who is being awarded an honorary doctorate in recognition of his contributions to Africa University’s development. Yamada’s career spans almost five decades in Methodist education, including more than 30 years of leadership at the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM).

Gifts of Appreciated Stock vs Cash Gifts American stock markets have been volatile recently, which gives some generous friends of Africa University an extra reason to make their gifts go further when supporting the university’s transforming ministry. Instead of writing a check, two great things happen when you transfer shares of appreciated publicly traded securities to Africa University.

First, your stock gift qualifies for a charitable deduction for the full fair market value on the date it is received by the university. Secondly, because the stock was given directly rather than sold and the sale proceeds given, you avoid recognizing the capital gain on the transfer. Be aware that the 2019 capital gains tax rates are 15 percent for many taxpayers and 20 percent for topbracket earners.

Consider giving appreciated securities to fund your important gifts in support of Africa University’s transforming ministry. Speak with your

attorney or financial advisor about taking full advantage of this timely opportunity.

For more information about the many ways to support Africa University’s ministry, visit the planned giving website Elaine Jenkins, Director at http://www.afriof Planned Giving. cau.plannedgiving.org/ or call or write our Director of Planned Giving, Elaine Jenkins, Africa University Development Office, P. O. Box 340007, Nashville, TN, 37203-0007, (615) 340-7428 (telephone), (615) 3407290 (fax), ejenkins@gbhem.org (e-mail address).

Foundation Hosts AU Advisors Spring Meeting are progressing well. Both projects are being funded by a gift from Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, TX. The university’s advisors and friends celebrated the results of the ongoing $50M Campaign for Africa University which has raised more than $43 million in cash and pledges to date. A major highlight of the advisors meeting was a special dinner to honor Bishop J. Lawrence McCleskey for more than a decade of voluntary service to Africa University. Bishop McCleskey retired from the role of executive vice president for development in the Africa University Development Office earlier this year.

Students and staff gathered on April 11th to mark the start of construction on a new house at the university farm and thank the Illinois Great Rivers Conference (IGRC) for supporting the effort.

In April, the IGRC committed $21,000 to the project. A 13-person team, led by the conference’s missions and outreach coordinator, Bunny Wolfe, traveled to Africa University in April to help with construction.

The Africa University Farm Trust covers about 494 acres. The trust has more than 33 employees, many of whom travel to work each day from the surrounding area.

The new construction is a bid to provide modern housing for the farm workers and reduce their travel burden.

The crop and livestock units operated by the trust supply the university cafeteria and provide income from sales to residents and businesses in the Mutare area.

The farm is also a space for research and practical training for students and members of the wider community who are intending to engage in the agricultural sector as their livelihoods.

General Board of Higher Education and Ministry The United Methodist Church P O Box 340007 Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0007

The Africa University Advisory Development Committee gathered at Lake Junaluska on March 23rd for its Spring 2019 meeting, hosted by the Foundation for Evangelism.

Members received a report on campus operations from the Vice Chancellor which highlighted the impact of socio-economic conditions in Zimbabwe. Despite the country’s challenges, the university is stable. Enrollment is growing, and the campus infrastructure is being refreshed and expanded. Two new construction projects, a residence hall for students and an extension to the student union building,

IGRC Invests in Housing for AU Farm Workers

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