History

     In September, 2004, Br. Jack Rathschmidt, the director of the Capuchin post novitiate program in Jamaica Plain, Ma., met another friar, Br. Adelwald Itatiro, from Tanzania who told him what a difficult time women in Africa have getting good educations. Although the United States, the UN, the World Bank and many non profit agencies have programs that target girls education around the world, trust in these institutions, for a variety of reasons, is often low, because they seem unable to deliver services and goods to those most in need. Corruption, a constant concern in so many cultures, often strips as much as 70% of donated monies before they reach the people or projects for which they were intended.
     Moreover, because boys in Africa have access to other monies, Brs. Adelwald and Jack decided to start a small fund to help women from Tanzania go to college. $700 will allow a young woman to complete a year of Ordinary or Advanced schooling at the Secondary level which lasts a maximum of six years.
     After returning to the U.S., Br. Jack approached friends of his to help. Charlie and Fran Holt, organized and hosted the first cocktail hour, more than thirty people gathered to hear about the Fund and contribute to it. A diverse group from, Croton on Hudson joined together and have been committed from the beginning to honor and support the African Women’s Education Fund. This group continues to meet each year to reaffirm their support for women and women’s roles in our society as well as contribute to the vital task of helping educate young women in the third world.
     A Board of Trustees (Charles Holt, Jim and Ellie Hall, Claire Cronin Dinger, Gaynell Cronin and Susan Vierczhalek) was formed to oversee the finances and direction of the Fund. Presently the Fund is supporting twenty six young women from Tanzania, Kenya and Zimbabwe with the promise to help them complete their Secondary education. Because of the generosity of so many good people, more than $26,000 has already been sent to these young women. But much more is needed.
     While not pretending to change the face of poverty in Africa, The African Women's Education Fund (AWEF) believes we can make a simple and direct impact with little or no overhead. Many people have been very creative in helping women in Africa. Several young couples, instead of giving their wedding guests "favors", put a card in front of each person's place setting indicating that they had made a donation to AWEF, and invited their guests to do the same. We invite other creative ideas that you may have to help us continue our efforts.