A Self-Help Assistance Program

A Self-help Assistance Program, known as ASAP Africa,  cultivates self-reliance in Africa. Started by two returned Peace Corps volunteers who met and married while teaching in rural Swaziland, ASAP is a testament to the power of commitment, determination and love. Living and working in rural African schools, where they witnessed determination and untapped potential, inspired the couple on their journey to discover a new approach to development work. The goal: to create an organization whereby development projects and activities are not “inflicted” upon local people but truly spearheaded by capable members within those communities.

ASAP Africa’s programs in Zimbabwe, which began in 1994, are managed and staffed locally.  ASAP Africa’s team of Zimbabwean professionals, who live and work in the country, make all decisions.  ASAP Africa recognizes the enormous potential of what people can achieve by working together.  ASAP begins by teaching the Internal Savings and Lending (IS&L) microfinance model to mobilize the community to work together to further address local needs.  Additional programs include sustainable agriculture techniques, education programs, small business development as well as cholera and HIV/AIDS prevention.

Some of our accomplishments include

• More than 25,000 people educated in rural microfinance, becoming better able to provide for their families independently.
• 9,000 people have access to locally grown medicinal herbs
• 46,000 students engaged in educational math clubs
• 145 new classrooms built
• 8,600 Jatropha trees planted