Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority has sponsored
a school in rural Swazi Zulu Land near Durban in South Africa as a way
of providing a vitally-needed education to the children in this rural town.
The project is a collaborative effort with the International Foundation
for Education and Self Help (IFESH), which is headed by the Rev. Leon Sullivan.
The school, known as the African Ivy AKAdemy,
was recently dedicated in a formal ceremony. Alpha Kappa Alpha National
President Norma Solomon White, former AKA National President Bernice Sumlin,
Carolyn House Stewart, Esq., and son of the Rev. Leon Sullivan, joined
a number of other dignitaries at the official dedication.
The series of events that led to Alpha
Kappa Alpha's involvement in this international mission began when former
AKA National President Bernice Sumlin learned of the project and advised
National President Norma White that it was an initiative that paralleled
the sorority's global and educational mission. When National President
White was advised that there were hundreds of children who wanted an education
but had no facility in which to learn she contacted members.
With the support of the 150,000 strong
Alpha Kappa Alpha membership, in August 1999 Ms. Sumlin set up a meeting
with National President White, Carolyn House Stewart, Esq, Dr. Sullivan
and Dr. C.T. Wright at the IFESH offices in Arizona to request approval
for AKA to sponsor a school. On the strength of its combined record of
achievement and service, IFESH officials welcomed AKA's sponsorship.
Under the sponsorship agreement, AKA is
providing the funding and IFESH is providing the teachers. The school will
also serve as a resource center for women in the evenings, a feature of
the school that appealed to Alpha Kappa Alpha. The school will be also
wired for computers. AKA plans to donate computers for the school as part
of its commitment.
Alpha Kappa Alpha had already established
strong ties with South Africa as chapters had been sending shoe boxes full
of school supplies for three years that were designated for school children
in African countries. The shoe box donation idea was also conceived by
Bernice Sumlin. In keeping with that custom, members of the tour of South
Africa brought a shoe box with a solar calculator, pencils, rulers, paper
and other school supplies as tangible gifts to the new school.
At the dedication, National President Norma
White explained why Alpha Kappa Alpha became involved in this initiative,
"Education is the passport to opportunity," she said. "As part of Alpha
Kappa Alpha's overall mission, the sorority is committed to any thrust
designed to better the plight of those in need. Hopefully, these schools
will represent the key that will enable these youngsters to open the door
and realize their future aspirations, hopes and dreams."
She added that Alpha Kappa Alpha's decision
to proceed with this effort was strengthened by the participation of the
Rev. Leon Sullivan.
"Reverend Leon Sullivan has a long tradition
of effecting positive change. IFESH is inspired by his energy so we know
it is rooted in caring and commitment. The power of these two organizations
will make a significant difference in the lives of these young children.
Because of our collaborative efforts, we expect to hear about many success
stories coming out of this village in the future."
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is an international
public service organization of 150,000 women in more than 900 chapters
in the United States, West African, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Germany,
Bermuda, Korea, England and Japan. It is the oldest and largest sorority
of its kind and is hailed as "America's premiere Greek- lettered organization
for Black women." AKA has expanded its organization and now includes among
its membership diverse members from various ethnic backgrounds and professions.
AKA sponsors programs that promote health care, economic empowerment, the
Black family, the arts, and address global concerns, including global leadership
development.
Among its membership includes astronaut
and physician Mae Jemison, poet Maya Angelou, actress Phylicia Rashad,
entertainer Gladys Knight, entrepreneur Kathy Hughes and Congresswomen
Eddie Bernice Johnson, Sheila Jackson Lee, Juanita Millinery McDonald and
Eva Clayton.
Norma Solomon White of Jacksonville, Florida,
is the organization's 25th National President. She was elected to a four-year
term, which expires in 2002.