Dear Friends of CORAfrica,                                  

As 2007 comes to a close, we would like to take a moment to thank all of our supporters for their enduring efforts to promote the goals of Children of Rural Africa. In the past year alone, we have taken many steps forward as an organization. Such achievements include:

  • In early January, CORAfrica welcomed Emily MacDowell as our new coordinator.
  • A grant award for $2,000 from the Triad Foundation to support operating costs.
  • In February, CORAfrica welcomed the visit of the Hanns family to Nigeria as part of our Working Vacations program.
  • Fr. Peter conducted a seminar in May for children living in the Ipong-Obudu community of Cross River State, Nigeria. It focused on the children’s fears and hopes for the future. They were excited to discuss the issues affecting them, since sessions like this are often held and run by adults only.
  • In July, Fr. Peter made new advances by holding a micro-finance workshop in Ipong-Obudu, Nigeria. The 4-day workshop included intensive training on micro-finance initiatives and sustainable development for rural communities.
  • In July, CORAfrica welcomed SUNY New Paltz graduate Liana Thomas as an intern.
  • Dr. George Crosby, Professor of Plant Science at SUNY Cobleskill, was CORAfrica’s guest this past August. During his visit to Nigeria, he formed valuable connections between local universities, the SUNY system and CORAfrica. Dr. Crosby also encouraged CORAfrica’s goals of agricultural education by demonstrating gravity-feed bucket irrigation systems, donating 30 such systems along with 1800 seed packets, and teaching local communities about Moringa oleifera, a multipurpose tree having promising potential for its nutritional benefits.
  • In September, CORAfrica negotiated with members of the Ipong-Obudu community to donate a building for a nursery and primary school. On October 2nd, 2007, the new school, known as Little Flower Nursery & Primary School, officially opened its doors for 73 infant children and a 7-member staff headed by Mr. Clement Uzor. The new school is to be run by the parish community under the CORAfrica educational program. Though the school opened with only four classes in the nursery section this past October, it is hoped that in the near future, Little Flower will blossom into a full-blown institution in both Primary and Secondary school sections.
  • On November 10th, CORAfrica hosted its first major fundraiser at the Carriage House Café in Ithaca, NY. Over 50 guests attended the event, including Fr. Peter, who gave a thorough presentation on the goals and accomplishments of CORAfrica. The event raised close to $3,000 and encouraged many new forms of support, including connections with Cornell University and Ithaca College.
  • During his November visit to the US, Fr. Peter graciously accepted the donation of ten laptop computers by the Cornell Computer Reuse Association (CCRA), which were safely brought home for use at the St. Joseph Orphanage School in Idum-Mbube.
  • On December 3rd, CORAfrica was awarded a Google Grant for free website advertising. The grant, worth up to $10,000 in online advertising, will bring more visitors to corafrica.org by placing ads at the top of related websites and Google searches.

Our major focus in the next year is on the building up of our Community Education Center. The Ipong community has dismissed a challenge by donating a classroom block for the kick off of the Nursery section. We need to complete the primary section, as well as provide other facilities and amenities that will be conducive to teaching. Many opportunities lie ahead in the New Year, but we need your help to continue the success of CORAfrica.

Please visit our donation page on our website at www.corafrica.org/donate.htm to view our latest fundraising efforts and see how you can help. To donate by mail, please send checks to Children of Rural Africa, 87 Olde Towne Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850. All donations are tax-deductible.

We hope your holidays are happy and wish you good luck in the New Year. From all of us at Children of Rural Africa, thank you for your support!