IRS 990 Nonprofit Profile

Global Alliance For Africa

Founded in 1996, global alliance for africa (gaa) works with local african partners to design, implement, and manage programs to improve the lives of vulnerable children, families in poverty, and refugees in eastern and northern africa. gaa does this through three unique programs. 1. digital learning: training students to advance in a digital world. 2. community libraries: providing educational resources and a safe place to gather and learn. 3. therapeutic arts: providing vulnerable youth the resources needed to help them heal. 1.The digital learning program - bridging the digital divide. working with local partners in tanzania, morocco, kenya and uganda, gaa's digital learning program teaches students the skills required for success in the digital age. the program is implemented in close collaboration with our key partners, which are local public school systems. gaa builds the foundation for digital learning by providing laptops, tablets and other computer equipment, and by securing internet connectivity for classrooms. it also arranges for teachers to attend workshops and be given the necessary training, so that digital learning can be effectively taught. our partner schools provide the teachers and the classrooms where students learn computer skills. we also partner with local universities, that assist gaa in administrating and evaluating the program. the program is having an impact, with more than 16,000 middle and secondary school students receiving instruction in digital technologies. to make this happen, gaa has provided many hundreds of tablets, laptops and related equipment to its 35 partner schools. we serve areas with the greatest need, such as schools in the slums of kenya, near refugee camps in uganda and in rural areas of morocco and tanzania. most important, the program is working. as shown by exams and other evaluation methods, students in gaa's program are learning how to use computer technology and are gaining crucial digital skills. the program is also highly cost effective, as a result of our arrangements with partner schools, which allows us to conduct programming in their classrooms using their teachers. in sum, gaa is helping combat the digital divide, and is providing opportunities for a better future for many thousands of disadvantaged students. 2.Community libraries - providing educational resources and a safe place to gather and learn gaa partners with communities to operate libraries in slums and remote rural areas of east africa. the libraries meet crucial needs, by providing a safe space for youth to study and by giving access to school-approved textbooks. the purchase of textbooks is beyond the means of many families, and the libraries are often the only place where students can do required classwork and study for exams. the libraries give families access to computers and the ability to connect to the internet. they also serve as a community center, where groups can gather to address matters of local importance. each library is managed by a local librarian and support staff. in a typical year, the libraries serve between 20,000 - 25,000 users, and hold over 40 community events. during 2024, the libraries increased their collection of textbooks that are required by the public schools. in addition, gaa continued to work on increasing the libraries' computer access and internet connectivity, and by offering digital learning programs. 3.Therapeutic arts - providing vulnerable youth the resources needed to help them heal gaa's therapeutic arts program operates in kenya, tanzania and uganda. it focuses on developing an african-based model of therapies, using visual arts, music, dance and drama, with the goal of building a core of local professionals who can use these art-based therapies to treat traumatized and other vulnerable children. gaa does this by conducting collaborative workshops, linking east africans together with visiting professionals from around the world. participants in the workshops have included nurses, community health workers, arts facilitators, social workers, teachers and counselors. faculty from recognized universities, including the school of the art institute of chicago, consistently provide valuable input to our east african leadership team regarding the curriculum and education materials used in the workshops. gaa typically conducts at least one workshop each year. gaa has provided small grants for east african "graduates" of these training program, leading to establishment of a safe sex project for young women in the slums; social/emotional support programming for children with cancer, adolescent orphans, and youth in refugee settlements; and a sexual and reproductive health and rights education project to lessen teenage pregnancies and promote young mothers' return to school. 4.Gaa's core values in carrying out its programs, gaa adheres to these four core values: 1.Offering the poorest and most vulnerable persons an opportunity to enhance their education and improve their economic and social positions. 2.Focusing on transformational and sustainable change. 3.Tailoring programs to fit the needs and aspirations of the local community. 4.Humility in engaging with local communities, and working with people as equals.

Filing year

2024

Total revenue

$217K

Total expenses

$373K

Program expenses

$276K

Administration

$88K

Fundraising

$10K

Program share of expenses

74%

EIN

364083547

Location

Chicago, IL

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