The Association for the Aninga Project

The Association for the Aninga Project is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to the education and empowerment of young women in East Africa, primarily Uganda, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Registered under the business number 830437265RR0001, it operates as a registered charity in Canada with affiliated grassroots efforts in East Africa.

History and Background

The organization originated from a friendship between the Benson family in Canada and a young Zimbabwean woman named Constance, met through the 2006 International AIDS Conference in Toronto. When Constance moved to Uganda, the Bensons collaborated with her Ugandan husband to create educational opportunities for young women in the region. The initial effort focused on supporting a girl named Aninga from a remote area in northern Uganda near Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where educational opportunities for females were scarce. Encouraged by the impact on Aninga and her community, the initiative expanded, and in 2009, The Aninga Project took steps to become a registered Canadian charity and East African NGO[2].

Mission and Objectives

The Association for the Aninga Project aims to provide funding and support for the education of girls in East Africa by covering school fees and related expenses such as transportation, boarding, uniforms, books, food, water, and medical needs. It focuses on supporting students through their entire education, including post-secondary studies. The project emphasizes empowerment through education, enabling young women to gain opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible[2][3].

Activities and Impact

The project currently supports over 60 girls in schools across Uganda, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since its inception, seven girls supported by the project have graduated from university and are now working within their communities. The organization’s model is person-to-person, with funds transferred from Canada to volunteers in Uganda who manage disbursement for the girls’ educational and personal needs[2][3].

Organizational Structure

The Aninga Project comprises four teams located globally who collaborate to implement the project’s mission through a grassroots, community-based approach. This global network facilitates effective oversight and support to maximize impact on the ground in East Africa[1].

Funding and Donations

Donations to the project are allocated entirely to the educational needs and related expenses of the girls supported. The cost to fully support one girl’s education in Uganda is approximately $40 per month. The organization provides donors with transparency regarding how funds are used and offers instant tax receipts for donations made through authorized platforms[3].

Recognition and Registration

The Association for the Aninga Project is a registered Canadian charity compliant with the Canada Revenue Agency’s regulations, holding the charitable registration number 830437265RR0001[3][5].

Summary

The Association for the Aninga Project is a grassroots Canadian charity working to transform the lives of young women in East Africa through education and empowerment. By addressing both financial and practical barriers to education, the organization fosters long-term positive change in vulnerable communities.

This article is based on publicly available information from The Aninga Project’s official communications and Canadian charity registries.