Africa University Today - Spring 2021

Bringing Hope to Visually Impaired Neighbors

Naomy Nkoy, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, graduated from Africa University in 2020 with a Bachelor of Health Services Management degree. Emboldened to chase her dreams and give back, Naomy recently founded “Touch of Change”—an organization focusing on the welfare of people who are visually impaired and their children.

An estimated one percent of Africans are blind, with cataracts, glaucoma, and trachoma being the main causes. Often, the conditions leading to blindness are preventable and curable. Timely medical interventions to prevent permanent eye damage are simply beyond the reach of many, leading to irreversible blindness.

Through “Touch of Change,” based in Mutare, Zimbabwe, Naomy is reaching out to destitute visually impaired parents and their children. The organization aims to support education, enhance community awareness, and expand interaction to alleviate feelings of isolation and build social skills.

Legally blind residents are often forced to beg on city streets in order to provide for themselves and their families. Many bring their young children along to help them navigate hazards.

Photo provided by Naomy Nkoy.

Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Naomy Nkoy now lives in Mutare, Zimbabwe. She says her Africa University experience, made possible by scholarship gifts from Los Altos UMC, inspired her to launch a nongovernmental organization called Touch of Change.

Photo by Wesley Kuture, Office of Advancement & Public Affairs

“This desire to help others is driven by the generosity that was shown to me at Africa University,” Naomy said. “Like so many other African students, I had the passion to advance my studies but was short on funds. Africa University took me in and exposed to me possibilities I had never imagined before.”

Tuition scholarships, gifted to Africa University by the United Methodist Women of Los Altos United Methodist Church, helped Naomy to complete her degree. “Touch of Change” operates in the Manicaland Province.

Adapted from an article by Jeanette Dadzie.

Faithful Giving Keeps AU Relevant and Impactful

United Methodists are faithful, generous, and passionate about missional engagement. The depth of the denomination’s support for the ministry of Africa University was evident in 2020.

The Africa University Fund ended the year with overall giving at 88.37 percent—the highest percentage invested across all seven of the general church funds. Twenty-nine annual conferences achieved 100 percent of their budget commitment to Africa University.

“The dollars invested are vital, but those who give to Africa University are also modeling Christian love and discipleship in action,” said Peter Mageto, the acting vice chancellor of Africa University.

“The leaders who are being nurtured by The United Methodist Church through Africa University share a personal experience of God’s grace that inspires them to be agents of change and vessels of grace wherever they find themselves,” Mageto said.

Inspired by how much the UMC is investing in them, AU students have taken their servant leadership to the next level—distributing food, medicine and school supplies, and assisting children and the elderly— since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

Photo credit: Africa University

Local churches’ investment in the Africa University Fund, which helps to sustain day-today operations at the United Methodist-related institution, remained strong across the five U.S. jurisdictions.

The Western and Northeastern jurisdictions delivered overall support of 99.93 percent and 96.11 percent, respectively.

Remarkably, seven annual conferences invested more in 2020 than they did in 2019. In the Virginia Conference, where Bishop Sharma Lewis shared her desire to grow engagement with Africa University, congregations led with an investment of 102.91 percent.

Female students continue to provide fees, supplies and encouragement to help girls remain in school.

Photo credit: Africa University

“It is our experience that when we articulate the needs of the university and are able to show people where their investments are being used and the human good those dollars are doing, they respond,” said James Salley, Africa University’s chief advancement officer.

“The foundation for Africa University is the local church and that’s where we have our faith and trust,” said Salley. “We are thankful for the support of those persons who believe in the work that we do, especially during these challenging times.”

In 2020, the general church budget included a commitment of $2,347,217 to the Africa University Fund, of which $2,074,224 was realized. With the 2020 General Conference rescheduled to August/September 2022, the proposed 2021-2024 general church budget remains in limbo.