Week of the African Child

Zulu Girl Age 10

Zulu Girl Age 10
Afraid is something I can talk
about, she said, her eyes wide
in the dark of her young face.
I was afraid my mother would die
because she took care of us and she
was my mother. She died in spring.
I was afraid my father would die
and it would be only me and my little
brother. He died the next winter.
Now I am afraid when I hear animals
at night, there's a leopard here.
I'm afraid when I hear the men's
voices drunk outside, even baby girls
are not safe here. I use different
voices and rattle things to make
them think we are not alone.
I am afraid when I have no candles
left, night comes so soon. I am afraid
when our meal is running out,
I know I will have to teach my little brother
to steal. I am afraid I cannot get
to the school when it rains, and
then there is no hope. Afraid
is something I can talk about.

- By Peggy Goetz, from "Africa Unfinished"

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2009 Week of the African Child

Thank you to our school and community partners for their support of the Week of the African Child.

Thank you to the following schools for hosting our guests from South Africa:

University High School - December 1
University of California Irvine - December 2
Creekside High School - December 3
Beckman High School - December 11
Northwood High School - December 14

Thank you to the City of Irvine for supporting the Week of the African Child:

WOAC Proclamation Ceremony - November 24 City Council Meeting
Youth Conference on AIDS - December 5
Meeting with Mayor Sukhee Kang - December 9

Thank you to Esi Nabi and the Caspian Restaurant for sponsoring the WOAC:

Holiday Brunch - December 6

Thank you to everyone who supported the WOAC:

Teachers who took time out of their schedule to bring their students to their school's presentation.
Students who attended the presentations and connected with our visitors from Nkandla.
Teachers who encouraged their students to attend the Youth Conference on AIDS.
Students who made learning about HIV/AIDS a priority.
Our amazing Youth Board, the High School Youth Action Team, the UCI AIDS Fundamentalists, and Joshua Swamidass for hosting the Youth Conference on AIDS.
EVERYONE who attended the Holiday Brunch!
EVERYONE who sponsored one or more child-headed families!
Njabulo Thusi and Ntombiyenkosi Magubane for sharing their difficult stories with us so that we may better understand how poverty and HIV/AIDS are impacting children in their community and how we can help.

2010 Week of the African Child

We invite you to join us in 2010 by hosting your own WOAC school or community event!

The Africa Project invites individuals, community and faith groups to join us in the Annual Week of the African Child (WOAC) Campaign, December 1 to 8. Help us raise awareness regarding the issues of poverty and AIDS in Africa and their devastating effect on children. Coordinate and host a WOAC program, activity or event that raises awareness and support for The Africa Project.

Organize an Event.
Invite your Friends
Host the Event
Tell us about the Event

Participate in Irvine's Week of the African Child Community Events

The Africa Project invites you to join us at one or more of our community activities or events.

Sponsor The Week of the African Child

The Africa Project is also looking for business and community leaders to sponsor the Week of the African Child events including the Annual Holiday Brunch and the Youth Conference on AIDS. We make it easy for businesses to support The Africa Project. We value our community partners and encourage you to do what works for you and your business or organization. Send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

(Bianchi's, Shahrooz, Kimi, YB)