Dear Friends,

Africa Aid would like to wish you a bright and merry holiday season! In this season's newsletter, you'll find updates on the progress of Africa Aid's programs and a spotlight of a generous donation from the students of the UK-based King's School Ely. In the spirit of the holiday season, we would also like to remind you of the three opportunities located on the right to continue your support of Africa Aid's innovative aid. Our Gift of Africa Aid holiday cards, logo t-shirts, and bags make thoughtful gifts for friends and loved ones.

Africa Aid's work is made possible by the kindness of valued friends like you. We wish you the best this holiday season, and thank you sincerely for your continued support.

Warm Regards,

Eric Woods
Executive Director and Founder
Africa Aid

Though many classrooms and community organizations have held fundraisers on behalf of Africa Aid, few efforts have been as successful or creative as those of the students at the King's School of Ely, Cambridgeshire in England. The students of the King's School Ely, one of the oldest schools in the world, vote annually to determine which charities will benefit from their ongoing fundraising efforts. Last fall, the entire school selected Africa Aid as the lucky sole recipient for the 2008-2009 academic year with the goal of raising an impressive £15,000.

The students and their representative Charity Action Group devised a series of imaginative, clever, and fun fundraising events. On a "non-uniform" day, students were asked to pay £1 each for the privilege of leaving their school uniforms behind to dress as their favorite superhero. A cabaret raised £650, and the School House Dance raised £1,000. Fundraising culminated in a Charity Action Day on April 25th, 2009 where a whopping £6,000 was raised through a day of activities including car washing, a haunted house, face painting, and a fashion show of garments made by students in the Art Department. The students shattered their goal, and presented Africa Aid with a gift of £22,000 (or over $36,000) on September 16, 2009. We thank the students of the King's School Ely for their creativity and compassion!

Africa Aid is pleased to announce several updates to our innovative MDNet program. In Summer 2009, Africa Aid volunteers travelled to Liberia to evaluate the impact of the MDNet Liberia program. Most doctors surveyed reported that the free doctor-to-doctor cellular service allowed them to be more effective, increase their quality of care, better incorporate specialists into their practice, and connect with more hospitals. Nationwide doctor directories are currently in development for both Ghana and Liberia, which will allow doctors to connect with each other easily for patient referrals and consultations. Physicians will be provided printed directories in early 2010, followed by directories in digital and remote voice access formats. Africa Aid is currently pursuing opportunities to expand MDNet to new East African nations in order further transform healthcare.

Additionally, Africa Aid is proud to announce that the women of Ghana continue to benefit from business loans through our SEAM microfinance initiative. We recently provided additional capital to our partners at the Friends of Women Foundation in Ghana to fund a larger, second cycle of loans for successful entrepreneurs.