APARA - American Pan-African Relief Agencies, Inc.

The Chairman and Board of Directors of the American Pan-African Relief Agencies, Inc. (APARA) express their thanks to our donors, partners, and supporters, without which these achievements would not have been possible.

Ms. Elsie van Buren

Our special thanks go to the New York Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, Union Community Fund, American Jewish World Service and Ms. Elsie Van Buren, who have each made substantial financial donations and grants to APARA. APARA really appreciates your donations which have supported our efforts in the provision of services to the distressed and needy in our society. Your donations have not only been a reference, but a memorial.

Once again, please accept our sincere gratitude for your donation and interest in APARA. We look forward to your continual support and encouragement.

More Appreciations

APARA have seen the manifestation of the humane gestures toward the needs of the suffering and distressed people of Africa by other relief organizations such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army, UNICEF, CARE, Caritas OFFAM, UNHCR, Save the Children Fund (UK) and many other Non- Governmental Organizations (NGO's).

Other concerned indivudals have organized and produced spectacular events like USA for Africa, produced by Quincy Jones, and Race against Time by Bob Geldof. They assemblaed many talented and philanthropic artists whose end product resulted in one of the most massive relief operations in the drought and famine stricken countries of Ethiopia and Sudan in Africa.

APARA’s greetings and appreciation go to all those great American Philanthropists and foundations both big and small, whose donations in cash and kind have brought hope to the lives of the impoverished in Africa. These are philanthropists whose penchant to help those in need out weighs any other consideration in their lives.

Also joined in our heart-felt gratitude are the field workforce - men, women, boys and girls of diverse professions who are moved by the appalling misery of their fellow human beings and who are out there working day and night in many capacities to relieve the suffering of the masses in the continent of Africa. APARA’s greetings also go to all the volunteers who assisted the organization in providing relief services and financial assistance to all the African immigrants affected by the September 11th, 2001 World Trade Center disaster in New York. APARA wishes to express its profound gratitude for your contributions to the welfare of the suffering people in Africa and also in helping to provide services to the needy African immigrant community in the United States.

Even though most of the victims may not in their lifetime be able to meet with you personally to say “thank you” to both donors and volunteers, either in the past, present or future, we in APARA are confidently sure that a mightier appreciative “well done” awaits each and every one of you from “ABOVE”.

To know that you are part of a team dedicated to the transformation of a climate of poverty, disease, hunger, sorrow, horror and death, to that of hope and life is a great and rewarding feeling!!!

APARA appreciates the magnanimity of the Group of 8 Nations – the super power and industrialized nations of the world for the debt cancellation granted to some of the poorest countries in Africa during their last summit in Britain. Also a big thank you to the Paris Club of creditor nations for the 18 billion U.S. dollars debt relief to Nigeria out of the total debt of 30 billion U.S. dollars. The debt cancellation and relief will no doubt help to reduce some of the challenges of the benefiting African countries.

Remembering The Late American Congressman MICKEY LEYLAND

APARA wishes to recognize and pay tribute to the selfless sacrifices of the late American congressman, Mickey Leyland who met his death in a plane crash while serving the victims of the drought-affected people of Ethiopia and Sudan.

The late congressman had distinguished himself as a crusader for the poor, the hungry, the sick and the homeless in Africa. Among his greatest achievements was persuading the U.S. Government to commit about 800 million dollars for famine relief and food aid to Africa. It was his impassioned commitment to better the lives of the impoverished continent of Africa that prompted his sixth and last fatal trip to Ethiopia. On August 7,1989, Mr. Leyland and his colleagues were on a mercy mission to Ethiopia to see how American aid was being administered in the refugee community in Funido, which was hosting over 50,000 Sudanese refugees, when his plane crashed, killing all on board. May the almighty God grant his heroic soul and those of his colleagues an eternal peaceful rest, Amen.

To this end therefore, APARA is appealing to the faithful public, foundations, corporations, businesses and governments in the United States and other developed and industrialized nations of the world to join and donate to APARA in the crusade to helping AFRICA AND HER CHALLENGES. We believe that TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

Your generous donations to help those in need can be made by credit card or e-check online through our secure website, or by regular mail using this form. We also welcome non-financial donations of medical, educational, computer and other supplies. Please tell us about your non-financial contribution using this form. All donations will be gratefully acknowledged for tax purposes.