African Student-Professional Group in Pittsburgh Region Forms to Raise Money for Zambian Orphanage School

A group of African students and professionals in the Pittsburgh region has formed an organization called Africa Can to raise money to help educate students at an orphanage in the southern African nation of Zambia. The group will hold a fundraising and networking event at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6 at the Savoy Restaurant & Lounge in the Strip District.

Africa Can is an organization made up of students in medicine, public health and nursing, as well as young professionals in the Pittsburgh area who decided that they "need to give back and make a change in their continent of origin in a positive way," according to publicity materials. Their goal is to impact Education and Health among the underserved in Africa.

Proceeds from the Oct. 6 event will benefit the Anchor of Hope orphanage, which is located near Lusaka, Zambia.

"By providing education and youth development programs within an orphanage, Anchor of Hope instills indispensable life skills such as work ethic, confidence, discipline and hope," the group said. "In addition to basic education, we will teach children how to care for a home, cook, raise animals and grow crops. Not only will this program instill such skills, it will also offer a secondary psychosocial support structure for children and youth, especially those orphaned as a result of HIV and AIDS."

The event will be filled with music, networking with various other non-profit organizations in Pittsburgh, entertainment, and a scheduled appearance by the Zambian Ambassador to the United States.

Tickets to the fundraiser are $20, which includes appetizers, entertainment and opportunity to win prizes. Drinks are available for individual purchase.

To purchase tickets or receive information, contact Phindile Erika Chowa at erikachowa@gmail.com or 412-956-7474. Information also is available by emailing Durosaire Bakoua at duros28@hotmail.com, or Ornelle Siako at ornellesiako@gmail.com.

Proceeds will go towards 400 children at the orphanage and will directly benefit K-12 Education and Youth Development, the group said, and will indirectly impact children in neighboring communities, extended families and future generations of students and orphans.

Savoy Restaurant & Lounge is located at 2623 Penn Ave. in Pittsburgh.

Anchor of Hope Charities was established in February 2008 to support the educational needs of orphaned and underprivileged children in Africa. It builds schools and dormitories; offer desks, books and shoes; and promotes life time skills such as basket weaving, wood carving and gardening. It also organize trips to Zambia, Africa for those interested in interacting with the children or assisting with our building efforts. In Zambia alone, with a population of 11 million, one million are orphans. Many live with aging grandparents, because AIDS has taken the entire generation of parents from these children.

For more information about Anchor of Hope Charities, go to www.anchorofhopecharities.org.