Build Africa formerly International Care & Relief (ICR),http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/showcharity/(S(0tazjw45qhkakd555iyljfjd))/registerofcharities/CharityFramework.aspx?RegisteredCharityNumber=298316&SubsidiaryNumber=0&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1 and International Christian Relief, is a British

charity Charity may refer to: Giving * Charitable organization or charity, a non-profit organization whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being of persons * Charity (practice), the practice of being benevolent, giving and sharing * Ch ...

based in London, England, involved in

international development International development or global development is a broad concept denoting the idea that societies and countries have differing levels of economic or human development on an international scale. It is the basis for international classifications ...

and

education Education is a purposeful activity directed at achieving certain aims, such as transmitting knowledge or fostering skills and character traits. These aims may include the development of understanding, rationality, kindness, and honesty. Va ...

. The

NGO A non-governmental organization (NGO) or non-governmental organisation (see spelling differences) is an organization that generally is formed independent from government. They are typically nonprofit entities, and many of them are active in h ...

works to improve access to quality

primary education Primary education or elementary education is typically the first stage of formal education, coming after preschool/kindergarten and before secondary school. Primary education takes place in ''primary schools'', ''elementary schools'', or first ...

rural In general, a rural area or a countryside is a geographic area that is located outside towns and cities. Typical rural areas have a low population density and small settlements. Agricultural areas and areas with forestry typically are describ ...

Africa, with projects focussed in Kenya and Uganda,

East Africa East Africa, Eastern Africa, or East of Africa, is the eastern subregion of the African continent. In the United Nations Statistics Division scheme of geographic regions, 10-11-(16*) territories make up Eastern Africa: Due to the historical ...

. Build Africa state that they "believe in the power of education to help end

poverty Poverty is the state of having few material possessions or little income. Poverty can have diverse social, economic, and political causes and effects. When evaluating poverty in ...

", and work to ensure vulnerable children in Africa get the right infrastructure, teaching and family support so they can get the most from their time at school and go on to lead productive, healthy and happy lives.

History

Founded as a branch of International Christian Relief, the charity broke off from the American parent body and became independent under the name International Care & Relief, which enabled it to continue to use its recognized

acronym An acronym is a word or name formed from the initial components of a longer name or phrase. Acronyms are usually formed from the initial letters of words, as in ''NATO'' (''North Atlantic Treaty Organization''), but sometimes use syllables, as ...

, ICR. At the same time as becoming an independent organisation, ICR moved away from aid relief, choosing instead to focus on long-term development operating specifically East Africa. :2004 - ICR launched its first sustainable education program, called Build a School, aiming to promote access to education in rural areas of Kenya and Uganda. Build a School worked with 11 schools in its first year. :2007 - ICR re-branded to become Build Africa to reflect the organization's interest in sustainable development. :2009 - Build Africa was awarded 'Best International Charity' by the Charity Times, and continued to expand its programs. :2013 - Build Africa supported 65,962 children in 148 school communities, trained 3,063 people in hygiene and sanitation, and worked with 5,378 farmers towards better agricultural practices. :2017 - Build Africa secured support from the Department For International Development UK Aid Match, for its Mums Read, Kids Succeed campaign. The campaign helps young mothers in rural Uganda to learn literacy skills and access healthcare and nutrition services.

Approaches

Build Africa partners with remote and rural communities where children are leaving school without vital basic skills. Their approach then aims to help parents and teachers to create sustainable, effective schools and to nurture their children's learning. Build Africa's work has two overall aims: Improve access to education for children and improve the quality of education that they receive.

Ambassadors

Michelle Essomé Michelle Kathryn Essomé (née Taylor) is a former investment banker and the ex- CEO of the African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCA). She is also an ambassador of Build Africa, an international development and education charit ...

is an ambassador of the charity.

Patrons

Build Africa has a number of patrons who support the charity's work, including:

Clive Myrie Clive Myrie (born 25 August 1964) is a British journalist, newsreader and presenter who works for the BBC. Since August 2021 he has been the host of the long-running BBC quiz shows ''Mastermind'' and '' Celebrity Mastermind''. Early life Myrie ...

Tamzin Merchant Tamzin Merchant (born 4 March 1987) is an English actress and author, best known for her roles as Georgiana Darcy in the film ''Pride & Prejudice'' (2005), as Catherine Howard in the Showtime series ''The Tudors'' (2009–2010) and as Anne Hal ...

Shiulie Ghosh Shiulie Ghosh ( bn, , /ʃjuli ghɔːʃ/, born 28 September 1968) is a freelance television journalist, conference moderator, author and director of a media services company. Shiulie formerly worked for the BBC, ITN and Aljazeera. She moderates d ...

and

Mark Florman Carl Alan Mark Florman (born 2 November 1958) is a British businessman and entrepreneur. He is a co-founder and former CEO of the merchant banking group, Maizels, Westerberg & Co. and Time Partners Limited. Florman led the review of governance f ...

References

External links

Build-africa.org - official homepage
*
''This is Africa (Financial Times)'' 01/06/2009
{{Authority control Charities based in Kent Development charities based in the United Kingdom Rural development in Africa