Retired Educator Inspires Church’s Growing Partnership with AU
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100% SUPPORT
further our relationship with Africa University,” said Matt Dyches, International Missions Committee chair. While serving in Zimbabwe, O’Neal, a retired educator, was deeply moved by the expectations and hope expressed by prospective students and their parents. “This was a chance to witness to Jesus Christ and to educate the people of Africa. I think that’s a winning combination,” O’Neal said. Twenty-nine years later, that combination resonates with and motivates generosity within the Georgia congregation. Dyches described the congregation as passionate about making Christ known. Through the Trinity Outreach Celebration and other initiatives, the congregation invests in ministries both near and far. “We see this partnership as an opportunity to support future Christian leaders in many different vocations and many different countries across the
Thank you for investing at 100 percent in the Africa University Fund in 2019. The Annual Conferences of The United Methodist Church with a 100 percent or more remittance to the AUF apportionment over the past two years are: North Central Jurisdiction Dakotas East Ohio Illinois Great Rivers Indiana Iowa Minnesota West Ohio Wisconsin Jurisdiction Total Support
2019 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 91.33%
2018 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 108.99% 95.87%
Northeastern Jurisdiction Baltimore-Washington Greater New Jersey New England New York Peninsula-Delaware Susquehanna Upper New York West Virginia Western Pennsylvania Jurisdiction Total Support
2019 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 98.82%
2018 100% 100% 100% 104.01% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 98.53%
South Central Jurisdiction Oklahoma Indian Missionary Jurisdiction Total Support
2019 100% 78.24%
2018 100% 85.42%
continent of Africa,” said Dyches. Church members continue to commit and give even amid the uncertainty about the future structure of The United Methodist Church and the challenges emanating from the COVID-19 global health emergency. “Though we cannot be with our African brothers and sisters in person, we can and will come alongside them in faith," said the Rev. Dr. Julia Crim, minister of outreach missions and discipleship. This current gift from Trinity on the Hill UMC builds on one given in O’Neal’s honor in 2019. It funded a direct scholarship award for Maxwell Chibwatiko, a young man from Malawi, enabling him to begin a four-year degree program in agribusiness. With Trinity’s support, Chibwatiko will continue into his second year. Two additional students will be awarded scholarships in August.
Southeastern Jurisdiction Florida North Alabama North Carolina Red Bird Missionary South Carolina Tennessee Virginia Jurisdiction Total Support
2019 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 93.26%
2018 100% 100% 100% 108.76% 100% 110.35%
Western Jurisdiction Alaska United Methodist California Nevada California Pacific Desert Southwest Mountain Sky Oregon Idaho Pacific Northwest Jurisdiction Total Support
2019 100% 100%
2018 100% 100% 100% 100%
100% 100% 100% 93.82%
93.11%
100% 100% 100%
Spring 2020
rinity on the Hill United Methodist Church in Augusta, Georgia, is expanding its partnership with Africa University threefold, with a gift of $21,000 to support three students beginning in autumn 2020. This growing partnership was inspired by the dedication of longtime member Dr. Floyd O’Neal. He advocated Dr. Floyd O’Neal for Africa University to be included in the mission budget of his home church. O’Neal participated in one of the first work teams to clear land and refurbish buildings at Africa University in 1991. “His continued commitment to support the university was an inspiration to our congregation…and led us to seek an avenue to
Africa University Today — Spring 2020
Resourceful Graduate Aims to Give Back to University
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very day, Africa University alumnus Gad Maiga witnesses to the transforming grace of Jesus Christ. “My social involvement has evangelistic consequences,” he said. “Being, doing and saying are at the heart of our integral task.” Born and reared in the Kenyan village of Muberi, Gad was the third of seven children. In Nairobi, he worked with the United Methodist youth ministry and founded a small music school in 2011. “I managed to support my family, plus enroll in several life-skills courses while applying for scholarships to advance my studies,” he said. In 2013, he received a scholarship to attend Africa University. “Africa University made me an entirely different person,” Gad said. “AU is filled with resources and counselors that helped me succeed. From internships to volunteer work, my resume was already booming even before I got my degree.” Gad earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agribusiness management. Today he plays three
roles: agribusiness officer, photojournalist/communicator and youth coach. “As an agribusiness officer,” Gad said, “I initiated the UrbanRural Support Network in Africa.” Since 2018, more than 1,000 youth and women have been trained in integrated agricultural techniques. Gad is also a photojournalist/ communicator with the United Methodist Kenya-Ethiopia Annual Conference. He uses print and electronic resources to communicate across all levels of the church. iPhot Os, a nonprofit he founded, highlights disenfranchised communities through photography, creating gorgeous landscape and portrait photos that, upon closer examination, often highlight problems. As a youth coach, Gad initiated the “Y-Reality Show,” a safe space for young people.
“We emphasize passion, opportunities and life purpose, based on Christian teachings,” he said. Above all, Gad strives to model the sharing that allowed him to attend AU. “The generosity at AU has inspired me to help others and give back to the community,” he said. “I hope, one day, to help students achieve their goals, just as Africa University helped me.” – Barbara Dunlap-Berg
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 degree programs in three colleges: Health, Agriculture and Natural Sciences (CHANS); Business, Peace, Leadership and Governance (CBPLG); and Social Sciences, Theology, Humanities and Education (CSSTH&E). New academic programs include master’s and doctoral degree programs in military chaplaincy, migration, citizenship and refugee protection; and entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity.
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As Zimbabwe and other countries ease COVID-19 related restrictions, health officials are requiring residents to wear masks or other coverings in public. That has led a group of international students at Africa University to begin making reusable cloth masks for the community. The students, who have remained on the campus due to travel restrictions, volunteered to make the masks as part of their contribution to efforts to stem the spread of coronavirus infections. They are producing more than 100 masks a day. The group hopes to continue production by distributing the masks at .50 cents each and reinvesting the proceeds.
Africa University continues to be the evidence of faith, hope and belief in the visions of dreamers. Thank you for investing in changed lives and communities! 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 generosity ensures 100 percent support of Africa University’s operational budget for costs such as utilities, equipment and faculty salaries. Continued next page.
How you can help... continued.
Partnering to Improve Health Care Access
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hrough an international partnership, Munyaradzi Chakonda and Jon Schulder hope to fill major gaps in the delivery of primary health care to millions of people across Africa. Chakonda, a freshman business management major at Africa University, and Schulder, a sophomore history major at Yale University, met in 2017. Since then, they have co-founded a company, securing a three-way partnership and startup funding. Dubbed the “Ubuntu Clinic,” their idea involves the use of micro-franchising to roll out solar-powered mini-clinics in African communities where health care infrastructure is nonexistent, deteriorating or woefully inadequate. “Ubuntu Clinic,” Chakonda said, “will radically transform the health care industry as we know it today in the region and bring astronomical social value to vulnerable communities.” Chakonda and Schulder believe the clinic will successfully address four key challenges that limit primary health care in sub-Saharan Africa: geographic availability of facilities, quality and ease of obtaining care, affordability, and access to equipment and personnel. The originality and promise inherent in Ubuntu Clinic’s approach to these challenges
attracted support from Africa University and the South Africa-based Global Performance Designs. “Africa University’s contribution takes it beyond the conventional aspects of university education — teaching, learning, research and community service — and into a space that is pivotal to Africa’s future,” said Sungano Mharakurwa, dean, college of health and natural sciences. The central product is a modular clinic, housed in a recycled shipping container and equipped specifically for each target community. The team estimates that this smaller, technology-driven commercial facility will cost around $10,000. Each clinic would offer primary health care services, including screening and diagnostic tests, and dispense medication. While the team awaits the delivery of the first container clinic, a grant to Africa University from the Field/Schulder Family Charitable Fund is supporting the collection of baseline data in target communities. “Micro-franchising,” Chakonda noted, “offers a market-based and enterprise-led approach to providing much-needed goods and services to low-income communities.” “There is tremendous opportunity in Zimbabwe and much of the African continent to do well while doing good,” Schulder said.
Consider these additional ways of helping the university educate new leaders for the nations of Africa: Planned Gifts— 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 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 download resources to help tell the story of the Africa University Fund apportionment, visit: umcgiving.org/auf and/or the resources page at support-africauniversity.org. Current resources include: • Africa University at 28 — Talking Points
Childhood Dreams Lead to Africa University
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s an 8-year-old at Mathangwane Primary School in Botswana, Basuti Gerty Bolo excelled in math and science. “My first dream in space science and technology,” said Basuti, “was inspired by a picture of Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, the first human to travel into space. I vowed that I, too, would one day do the same.” In March 2020, she became chair of educational technologies at Africa University. Basuti was also one of four African women selected as Space4Women mentors. Through United Nations Office for Outer Space Administration (UNOOSA) project, volunteer
mentors support women and girls around the world to play an active and equal role in space science, technology, innovation and exploration. Basuti is excited about her new roles as AU faculty member and Space4Women mentor. “Empowering society in space could increase the level of space exploration and innovation and be a catalyst for new technology and developments in Zimbabwe, Africa and internationally.”
• Africa University: The School of Hope (video) • Usahwira (brochure) • AU in a Nutshell (presentation)
Africa University Development Office P.O. Box 340007 Nashville, TN 37203-0007 (615) 340-7438 Fax: (615) 340-7290 audevoffice@gbhem.org www.support-africauniversity.org
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Africa University Today — Spring 2020
Mrs. Connie E. Disney
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onnie Ellen Disney made her first legacy gift in 2010, when she established the Bill and Connie Disney Endowed Scholarship in Bill’s memory. Every year, the gift gives Africa University students the opportunity to see their dreams, and those of their families and communities, realized. Connie and Bill were first generation college students. Bill received undergraduate and graduate degrees in education from Southern Illinois University, while Connie earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Southern Illinois University and Illinois State University, respectively. Bill, who died in 2007, was a high school counselor with a deep commitment to higher education. Connie is a retired elementary school teacher. She taught for more than thirty years before retiring in 1998. Their lifetime of work and dedication to service helped set many students on course for future success.
As early supporters of Africa University, the Disneys underscored the value of education, and particularly agricultural education. Connie’s parents set an example for her through their support of mission projects. They helped people in other countries improve their farming practices and food production. Seeing the success of students of agriculture continues to excite Connie. She believes that students prepared for careers in innovative agricultural practice and research will make valuable contributions across Africa. The Bill and Connie Disney Endowed Scholarship currently supports two students in the College of Health, Agriculture and Natural Sciences. Through a second planned gift designating Africa University a contingent beneficiary of her estate plans, Connie further ensures generations to come will benefit from the lessons of generosity she learned long ago.
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.