Africa University Alumni and Friends Serve for the Cause
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of divinity degree from AU in 2005. From the outset, leaders at the Commission on General Conference and the General Board of Global Ministries encouraged the initiative. “Everyone has something to bring to the table, that’s the lesson here and I cannot think of a better example for our international work,” said omas Kemper, Global Ministries’ top executive and a member of the Africa University Board of Directors. is initiative is the brainchild of Rev. Kalaba Chali, an AU graduate from Zambia who currently serves as mercy and justice coordinator in the Great Plains Conference. “Today’s world requires training leaders who understand what it means to live, learn and lead in a global community, and that’s what AU offers students and faculty alike,” said Chali. Corey Godbey, the coordinator of Hispanic Ministry in the Great Plains Conference, did not graduate from Africa University, but is so passionate about the initiative that he signed up
International delegates pick up audio receivers for translation at the 2012 General Conference. A UMNS photo by Mike Dubose
Spring 2016
ore than a dozen Africa University alumni are serving as interpreters and translators at the 2016 General Conference. It’s a role they have played since the 1996 General Conference, and this year, they have added something special. For the 2016 General Conference, alumni are donating the bulk of their stipends back to the university to be used for scholarships and academic staff development — and they have recruited friends and colleagues to do the same. Africa University’s very existence, and academic accomplishments, are the product of continuous generosity from students, alumni and supporters. “e aim is to keep the momentum [going],” said Rev. Willy Banza, a trained linguist from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Scholarships Rev. Kalaba Chali, AU graduate. helped him earn a bachelor
to help. “Being adept in two different languages provides me an opportunity to serve as a communication-bridge, connecting groups of people,” said Godbey. Africa University students generally enroll speaking only one international language: English, French or Portuguese. By graduation, they are competent in at least two international languages thanks to the university’s dual language policy.
100% SUPPORT
CELEBRATING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN AFRICA UNIVERSITY AND UNITED METHODIST CONGREGATIONS
Thank you for supporting Africa University through your 100 percent remittance of the Africa University Fund apportionment in 2015. Here is the listing of Annual Conferences with 100 percent or more in 2015 (with 2014 performance for comparison): North Central Jurisdiction Dakotas East Ohio Illinois Great Rivers Iowa Minnesota West Michigan West Ohio Jurisdiction Total Support
2015 100.03% 99.99% 100% 116.54% 100% 100% 100% 96.27%
2014 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 91.25%
Northeastern Jurisdiction Baltimore-Washington Eastern Pennsylvania Greater New Jersey New England New York Peninsula-Delaware Susquehanna Upper New York West Virginia Western Pennsylvania Jurisdiction Total Support
2015 100% 110.65% 100% 100% 100% 100.43% 100% 100% 100.02% 100.01% 101.11%
2014 100%
100% 100% 95.76%
South Central Jurisdiction Central Texas Oklahoma Indian Missionary Jurisdiction Total Support
2015 100% 100% 89.54%
2014 100% 100% 89.22%
100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Southeastern Jurisdiction Florida Holston Kentucky North Carolina Red Bird Missionary South Carolina Tennessee Jurisdiction Total Support
2015 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 101.41% 100% 91.73%
2014 100% 100% 100% 100% 100.50% 102.98% 100% 91%
Western Jurisdiction Alaska United Methodist California Pacific Desert Southwest Oregon Idaho Pacific Northwest Rocky Mountain Jurisdiction Total Support
2015 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 92.77%
2014 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 91.78%
Africa University Today — Spring 2016
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he Rev. L. Fitzgerald Reist II, secretary of the General Conference, was exiting a flight just after landing in Mozambique when he saw a familiar face among the many strangers. e young man spotted Reist as well, ran up to him and gave him a big hug and a warm smile. He told Reist how much he appreciated the financial support he received while attending Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe. Without the funds, he explained, higher education may have been out of reach for him. e man told Reist that he was now working as a government official in Mozambique. He hopes to bring social justice and improve education in his community. “is brings me joy,” said Reist. “e students are grateful to be in an educational environment.” Monetary giving for Africa University, one of seven apportioned-giving funds in e United Methodist Church, makes it possible for students like the young man to get an education and give back to their communities. e Susquehanna Conference, headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, increased its giving from 80 percent in 2012 to 87 percent 2013 to 100 percent in 2014 and 2015. “For many, many years, we have been giving 100
percent to educate the students of Africa University,” said Zedna Haverstock, former conference treasurer. “is is an excellent ministry, and it caught my imagination.” Haverstock, who worked in the finance department for more than 40 years, retired two years ago. Wyoming and Central Pennsylvania conferences merged to form Susquehanna Conference in 2010, and giving decreased in 2012 and 2013, said the Rev. Mike Bealla, director of connectional ministry. e economic downturn and leadership changes affected apportioned giving to the general church. “Even the cost of insurance was high,” said the Rev. Mike Minnix, former president of the conference council on finance and administration.
‘A great example of what we can achieve together’ “We knuckled down and worked hard,” he said. “It was a struggle, but we put our shoulders to the wheel and made it happen, and we got our wind back.” Minnix, now retired, said the financial situation, whether good or bad, is on the table
Paul Jeffrey, UMNS
Susquehanna Conference celebrates investment in Africa University
and transparent. “When we are struggling, everyone knows it,” he said, “and everyone knows when we are doing well, and we celebrate that.” Bealla and Haverstock said Bishop Jeremiah J. Park has a heart for mission. His forwardthinking leadership has helped the conference thrive. Bealla and Minnix hope the conference will keep supporting Africa University so that the institution can continue to grow. “I’ve been there on several occasions,” said Reist. “Whenever I am invited to preach, I often mention Africa University. It’s real, and it’s a great example of what we can achieve together.” Christine Kumar is a freelance writer and district administrator in the Baltimore-Washington Conference.
How You Can Help
ocated at Old Mutare, Zimbabwe, Africa University is an accredited United Methodist-related educational institution in Africa, established by action of the General Conference. The university offers bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in six faculties of learning: agriculture and natural resources, education, health sciences, humanities and social sciences, management and administration, and theology. The Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance offers post-graduate diplomas and master’s programs.
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tudents and staff used this year’s celebration of Black History Month at Africa University to build community awareness and participation in environmental protection. e university brought together other educational institutions as well as business and local government leaders in a clean-up effort in Chikanga, one of the residential neighborhoods of Mutare, Zimbabwe. In addition to inspiring residents to reuse, recycle and dispose of waste appropriately, organizers also hoped to inspire people to volunteer more and take greater responsibility for community resources.
Africa University continues to be the evidence of faith, hope and belief in the visions of dreamers. We are counting on you! Encourage your church to set a 100 percent apportionment remittance goal. Sending a portion of your goal each month makes it easier to reach full remittance by year’s end. Your church’s 100 percent apportionment remittance means 100 percent Continued next page.
How you can help... continued. support of Africa University’s operational budget, for costs such as utilities, equipment and faculty salaries.
AU Graduate Shares Malawi Success Story
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within the communities,” ercy Chikhosi Nyirongo’s Nyirongo said. work in her African nation Cynthia Bond Hopson, of Malawi is a compelling story assistant general secretary for the about how one person’s Black College Fund and Ethnic resourcefulness can improve the Concerns at the General Board well-being of many. Mercy Chikhosi Nyirongo of Higher Education and Nyirongo, an Africa University Ministry, said she sees logical graduate, founded an organization called Wandikweza that trains community health linkages ahead between Meharry and Africa workers to assist government health workers. She University. “Anytime we have a conversation about the spoke recently to students and health work that is happening on the professionals at United Methodist-affiliated (African) continent, we can see possibilities,” Meharry Medical College, in Nashville. Hopson said. “I just think the conversation will “Our mission is to support best practices in continue because the missions are the same – public health and community development, empowerment and making a difference to transforming communities from within – one populations that need special attention.” village at a time,” she said. Nyirongo earned a bachelor’s degree in Nyirongo used the concept of task shifting, which she learned about while attending a 2014 nursing from Africa University in 2010 and a master’s degree in public health from Walden nursing symposium hosted by Vanderbilt University in the United States in 2014. She is Institute for Global Health in Nashville, to project manager at ZOE, a ministry of the develop Wandikweza. “e community health workers…are trained Malawi United Methodist Church that provides orphans and vulnerable children with skills and to provide basic health services targeting resources to overcome poverty. prevention care and to offer general support
AU Trains Provincial Leaders
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frica University expanded its efforts to equip leaders and strengthen good governance in the public sector in Zimbabwe with a seminar on Provincial Leadership in Government in January. Participants at the one-day training event focused on strategies for becoming more citizen-focused, action-oriented, adaptive, communicative and innovative. ey reviewed performance on achieving the Zimbabwe Agenda for Socio-Economic Transformation (ZIMASSET), and the broader Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ey also worked on acquiring the skills and knowledge to enhance efficiency and responsiveness in their work environments. roughout the training, participants were reminded that their overarching goal is to spur socio-economic development and continually improve the quality of life of the people they serve. e seminar was a collaboration between the
Consider these additional ways of helping the university educate new leaders for the nations of Africa: Planned Gifts are the foundation for the long-term survival of Africa University. As you make your estate plans, consider leaving a gift or bequest to Africa University in your will. If you have already included the university in your estate plans, please let us know so we may welcome you to the Richard E. “Dick” Reeves Legacy Society. Usahwira—This word in the Shona language means “a beautiful friendship.” Encourage your local church to become a partner with Africa University by supporting one student at the university for four years. The annual cost of supporting one undergraduate student is just under $6,000. Local churches may provide full or partial scholarships. Endowment Fund—Give to the Africa University Endowment Fund (World Service Special Gift #03-0188). The interest income from the endowment provides scholarships for our students. For more information about giving opportunities or to make a gift, visit us at support-africauniversity.org. To learn about Africa University and its impact, visit africau.edu. Let’s work together to continue the transformation of lives and of Africa. To order resources to help tell the story of the Africa University Fund apportionment, visit umcgiving.org or infoserv.um.org. Or, call United Methodist Communications, toll-free (888) 346-3862, during normal business hours. Available resources include: • Africa University: A Place of Peace, Learning and Hope DVD (600115)
A Member of Parliament, the Hon. Irene Zindi, questions a presenter during the seminar.
university and the Zimbabwe Minister for Provincial Affairs – Manicaland Province, the Hon. Mandi Chimene. e training brought together a wide cross-section of decision-makers operating at the national, provincial (or state), and municipal levels of government. Attendees included parliamentarians, tertiary and vocational training institution leaders, traditional chiefs, and city, town and rural district administrators and council members.
• Africa University Fund: Pieces of the Dream DVD (600512) • We are Africa University (600611) Africa University Development Office P.O. Box 340007 Nashville, TN 37203-0007 (615) 340-7438 audevoffice@gbhem.org www.support-africauniversity.org
General Board of Higher Education and Ministry Africa University Development Office e United Methodist Church P.O. Box 340007 Nashville, TN 37203-0007
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Africa University Today — Spring 2016
Darvin and Marge Miller: Leaving their Legacy at Africa University
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hannon L. Alder writes, “Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones; a legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.” For Darvin and Marge Miller of Phoenix, AZ, leaving a legacy is not only an important tenet of their faith but also the raison d’être of their life’s work. For more than twenty years, the Millers were tenured professors at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. ey designed and taught innovative curricula in early childhood education (Marge’s expertise) and for teaching special needs children (Darvin’s expertise). After their retirement to Phoenix in 1994, the Millers sought ways to continue to impact the lives of young children with special needs through their local church, Dayspring UMC of Tempe, and through community organizations. An exciting opportunity presented itself in
2012 when Darvin traveled to Zimbabwe with a 42-member delegation from the Desert Southwest Conference. e delegation was there to celebrate Africa University’s 20th anniversary and the creation of a faculty chair funded by the conference in the Faculty of Health Sciences. While on-site, Darvin visited with the professors and nursing students and was impressed with their deep commitment to the health needs of African children. Upon his return home, as he and Marge considered their legacy and how their life’s work might be continued, they decided to establish the Africa University Darvin and Marge Miller Early Healthcare Intervention Endowed Scholarship Fund “to enhance the preparation of exemplary nursing students who are committed to serving the special needs of
young children in Africa.” Each of us will leave a legacy. e question is: What kind of legacy will you leave? Elaine Jenkins, Director of Planned Giving
The AU Today is published by the Africa University Development Office, in partnership with the Office of Communications, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM). For more information, contact the: Africa University Development Office P.O. Box 340007 Nashville, TN 37203-0007 Tel: Fax: Email:
(615) 340-7438 (615) 340-7290 audevoffice@gbhem.org support-africauniversity.org.