Events
2005 - Was a very bad year for the organization.
Pa Dick Dinneya Ekeke the inspirational mentor and father to the chairman Dr. Emeka Ekeke, passed on March 1, 2005 at age 98 in Los Angeles, California and was taken back to Nigeria and buried in his hometown of Akwete on April 21, 2005. He was the epitome of volunteer missionary and humanitarian service. Lived and practiced it most of his productive adult life – preaching the gospel, (as an Evangelist); tending to the church, (as an Elder of the church), and healing the sick, (as a registered nurse). He never shied away from any opportunity to spread the gospel of Christ. He is surely missed.
Jacci Lester, the first American President of AAFS also passed--- at the golden age of 56 after a brief illness. Jacci was a very exceptionally dedicated member and officer of the organization spending many sleepless and thankless days and nights devoted to the activities of AAFS towards the African mission.
Jacci Lester pioneered and initiated many programs that shaped the direction AAFS traveled. She loved Africa and its people and was devoted to doing whatever she could (no matter how tedious the task) to help alleviate their sufferings.
Her mark on AAFS is indelible. Jacci will be truly missed. In Jacci's honor, all future AAFS humanitarian medical clinic trips to Nigeria will bear her name.
As a result of the lack of funding, no clinics were held in 2006. AAFS will resume yearly clinics and initiate new programs for the year 2007, thanks to the hard work and dedicated efforts of the Executive Director, Melanie Davidson, RN.
The year 2005 and 2006 saw a lot of donations of medical equipment, medications and ambulances from the friends of AAFS at Salem Memorial Hospital and Medstar Ambulance group. May God Almighty bless their generosities. AAFS promises to put them into great use back in Nigeria as soon as enough funds are available for shipping.
AAFS is also assisting in the building of the residence for the Minister/Pastor of one of the churches AAFS helped to build.
AAFS does not disseminate this progress information in order to be self-serving, but however does so to encourage other individuals who feel moved to do the same in their respective villages, one village at a time.
2006 - No medical clinic conducted.
The inauguration of AAFS-USA free nutritional program for the primary school students; The laying of the foundation for the parsonage of the Adventist church in Akwete village.
2007 - Was a very good year.
AAFS got a lot done, thanks to God Almighty and the supporters of the mission to Africa.
AAFS wishes to thank the following donors for sponsoring our 2007 missions:
Dr and Mrs James Comazzi
Dr and Mrs William Zittrich
Dr and Mrs Sherman Nagel
Mr Dennis Pryor
Rev (Dr) and Mrs Chima Ekeke
Mr and Mrs Rollinson George
Judge and Mrs Ball
Dr and Mrs Emeka Ekeke
Ms Adline Akparanta
Dr Ejiasa
Ms Melanie Davidson
We have almost completed the parsonage for the Christian church in the village of Akwete. Final steps are in progress right now and we hope to have the pastor and his family comfortably settled by years end.
Also in 2007, AAFS-USA conducted a two day nutrition program which fed over 850 children who are students at the two primary schools in Akwete. The meals were high protein sustenance (beans and rice) prepared and served by the women of Akwete. We pray to make this a permanant event with increased regularity during the school year to help augment and improve the nutritional well-being of these young minds who are our leaders of tomorrow.
AAFS-USA is actively pursuing the continued construction of the medical clinic in Akwete (where its headquarters is located).
2007 saw the return of our free medical clinic in rural Nigeria. Due to hardships beyond our control we had been forced to go 2 long years without the free medical missions, but thanks to God, we perservered and through many generous donations the clinics returned with a bang. The 2007 mission trip and the clinics were very successful, with our group seeing over 700 patients in 6 days. We were hampered by rain and unreliable transportion, which prevented the medical team from reaching the more remote areas as we had planned, so most of the activities were limited to the villages of Asa and Ndoki in the Ukwa localities. The clinics were jam-packed and sometimes lasted late into the night. We all worked very hard, but the true heroes of the trip were local volunteers. The local volunteers came from all walks of life--villagers from Akwete eager to lend a hand, local government healthcare personnel, and the local members of the NYSC (National Youth Services Corp). The chemistry between the participants was amszing and delightful. These are people of all different tribes and backgrounds, both Christian and Muslims, working in unison for the benefit of the indigent. This was our second time to work with the "Corpers" and once again are delighted by their intelligence and hard work. The group showed a brilliance very befitting of them as college graduates. We were overwhelmed and blessed by their thoughtfulness and presence. All of humanity should take a leaf and borrow a page from this aura of diversity and mutual respect and cooperation.
Preparations are already underway for the projects for the year 2008. AAFS and management invite new sponsors and participants to join their upcoming events and prays that our traditional sponsors will continue to be there with us as always. May God be with you all as you be "your brothers' keepers". May posterity reward you very kindly. Enjoy the pictures in the AAFS in pictures section.
May God's Blessing be bestowed upon all those who selflessly help the poor, the needy, the down-trodden, and others less fortunate than themselves in this world!
