2020: the year in review
academic year 2020 - 2021
The 2020 – 2021 academic year has been especially challenging for our students now participating in classes and taking exams exclusively online. They had to abandon live classroom interactions, meeting new friends, and enjoying campus resources and special activities.
Despite the difficulties in this abnormal year, we supported —
- 18 undergraduate students, including 4 new ones
- 5 graduate students
Since 2018, our twenty-four alumni graduated with bachelor’s and sometimes master’s degrees as well. In 2020, five students graduated with bachelor’s degrees and three with master’s degrees.
In the 2021 – 2022 academic year, we plan to increase undergraduate students from 18 to 25.
Our new African Communities Center serves students, families, single mothers, and individuals. During emergencies such as massive job losses resulting from the pandemic, we have been providing food packages. While helping feed our communities, we are strengthening ties among them.
In March 2020, at the first lockdown we recognized that food security was a top concern and quickly organized to distribute 537 food packages. Relief and positive effects were clear.
Food packages included —
Rice, vegetables oil, Corn Flakes, ketchup, sugar, wheat flour, tuna, milk, onions, tomatoes and tomato paste, chocolate paste, peanut butter, and other basic ingredients. Package amounts were matched with people per household.
In November as the pandemic raged on, we restarted delivering food packages and this time weekly. We partnered with Pesia’s Kitchen and are discussing with potential more partners to join the efforts.
As we go forward in 2021, we continue serving our communities with their immediate and longer-term needs in education and in emergencies.
On behalf of ASO, thank you for continuing interest in our mission and initiatives. Please consider contributing to help the African Students Organization in Israel.
Have a healthy, inspiring, and prosperous 2021.
Alhaji Fofana
CEO: African Students Organization
