AFC Launches New Website!

Come check out our new website!

Mekdes to Come to the US!

AFC is actively trying to find a hearing specialist in the United States to treat Mekdes.
MEDICAL SERVICES NEEDED FOR MEKDES:
1. To re-evaluate her hearing.
2. Provide surgery for her.

Mekdes will be in the United States with her guardian beginning May 2009 until we can find help.
Please contact Lori Precious in Los Angeles: lprecious@mindspring.com 310-455-0369
cell: 310-415-0143

You can also donate to the cost of Mekdes travel and ancillary medical costs by going to the Artist For Charity website: Artistsforcharity.org







http://studio1080.tv/afc/mekdes.html

New Photos of the Kids!

Thanks to Katrina who is at the AFC home visiting the children.

http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=57638907147&h=nFbdH&u=Af_p3&ref=mf

You Search: They Give..to AFC!

AFC has just been added to list of non-profits that you can donate too on GoodSearch.com.
"GoodSearch is a search engine which donates 50-percent of its revenue to the charities and schools designated by its users. It's a simple and compelling concept. You use GoodSearch exactly as you would any other search engine. Because it's powered by Yahoo!, you get proven search results. The money GoodSearch donates to your cause comes from its advertisers — the users and the organizations do not spend a dime!"

Another way businesses are becoming more ethical and realizing their responsibility as a citizen of this world.

I hope all of you start using GOODSEARCH.com from now on and make AFC your non-profit. Every penny makes a difference!

Thank you!

Ethical Networking...Connecting the ethical consumer and business

AFC has just joined an amazing network called Pledging for Change. It's a virtual platform where both ethical businesses and consumers can come together, exchange ideas and have forums on different topics, all while striving to make the world we live in a better place. This network and forums is just one aspect of the promotions possibilities that they provide for its members. I find it to be a great way for ethical organizations to get exposure and what i love the most about it is the free advertising you can get. AFC now has a banner and an advertisement on Pledging for Change which you can find here.

You can also find an editorial of AFC by subscribing to The People's Paper, an ethical ezine for ethical businesses and consumers. It really is a great place to see what amazing things people are doing out there in efforts towards social positive change.

If you support AFC and want to part of this ethcial network, Join Today!!!!!

http://www.pledgingforchange.com/page/artists-for-charity

New NGO Act will not effect AFC!

Some of you may have heard about the recent NGO act that has been approved by the Ethiopian parliament ... "The so-called Charities and Societies Proclamation prohibits any group receiving at least 10 percent of its funds from abroad from promoting democratic or human rights, the rights of children, or equality of gender or religion." This outrageous attack on civil society and human rights is the last thing Ethiopia needs.

Of course with this law in effect many non-profits in Ethiopia have been and will continue to be shut down. This has raised some concerns among the AFC family and how this law would effect us. Abezash, who is currently in Addis Ababa, recently met with the AA Social Civic Office staff and was informed that AFC can continue to operate as it is and recieve funding from the United States.

(Sigh of relief...)

To learn more about the NGO law visit http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-01-06-voa45.cfm

2nd Annual Artists for Charity Holiday Benefit

So, its all over now. Its our second year here in DC with AFC and we have just finished up this years holiday fundraiser. For those of you who missed out, it was held at Touchstone Gallery in Chinatown. With much dedication and hard work, it turned out to be a success with having doubled our funds from last year.

As exhausting and tiring as it has been trying to put this event together, it was all worth it in the end and i cant wait to do it all over again next year. To me fundraising is more than just getting money, but rather cultivating relationships. I cant explain how rewarding this experience has been and continues to be. But on a different note away from self-fulfillment that everyone is always trying to achieve in life, its really about the children. Knowing that the money is going to be able to help by their groceries for the next few months or pay their school fees...thats what keeps you wanting to help.

Underprivileged would be an understatement for these kids. I think its amazing that AFC has been able to create an environment and provide unthinkable opportunities for these children , who otherwise would be neglected and outcasts from society.

So, I really want to thank specific people for making this event possible.
Hanna (DC Rep and partner for life), Abezash (founder), Ephrem (the graphics man), Mike E. (the photo man), Mike A. (the auctioneer), All the volunteers, all the artists who donated their work; Gizaw, Matt, Solomon, Gediyon, Jonas, PS24, Setenge, the amazing children and anyone else who helped out in any way...

Till next year