Project contributions
The association's funds come from donations, membership fees, and proceeds from activities.
The board, in consultation with the ACC, decides on the allocation of project funds.
The board, in consultation with the ACC, decides on the allocation of project funds.
Current Project Contributions and Short-term Goals in Supporting the Asmara Children’s Center (ACC)
Once our project contributions are sufficient to close the gaps in the following areas and a financial cushion is established to ensure continuous support, we can invest in medium-term goals. For comparison, see the Financial Report 2024.
Food
The ACC ensures the nutrition of the children with warm meals. A staff member purchases the food from the local market, and a cook prepares the meals. We support the ACC in this task.
Operational Costs
To maintain the premises, facilities, and operations of the ACC, various ongoing costs must be covered. These include rent, electricity, water, and school supplies. Since many of the children do not have a proper home, sleeping quarters are also maintained. We support the ACC in these matters.
Salaries
Due to financial constraints, ACC staff currently do not receive adequate wages. This situation is neither sustainable nor acceptable in the long term. It would be unfortunate if the ACC lost its valuable employees who work there out of conviction. Affected are the salaries for teachers, a cook/supervisor, and a night watchman. We hope to support the ACC in this regard soon.
Urgent Structural Measures
Last year, the ACC faced issues with heavy rain and subsequent flooding. Structural measures were initiated to divert the water from heavy rain around the premises. We were able to make a small contribution to these measures, but further actions are necessary to optimally protect the grounds. These additional measures are part of our medium-term goals.
Medium-term Goals and Investments in the Asmara Children’s Center (ACC)
With sufficient funds to cover short-term goals, the following investments could be made in the ACC:
Renovations
The most urgent structural measure is the expansion of the storm protection to safeguard the infrastructure. Existing investments are insufficient to optimally protect the premises from heavy rain.
Chicken Coop
The ACC has a chicken coop with chickens and turkeys. The chicken population could be expanded to improve self-sufficiency.
Garden
Adjacent to the ACC premises is a rented plot of land with fruit trees and suitable arable land for vegetable cultivation. It also features a playground for the ACC children. With sufficient financial resources, the ACC could continue renting and increasingly cultivating the land. Purchasing the land would provide a long-term solution and make investments in soil cultivation more sensible. This would ensure the long-term supply of vegetables and fruits for the children. Additionally, gardening could be taught, and the playground could be renovated.
Women's Group
The ACC premises include classrooms for training seamstresses. Currently, this women's group cannot meet due to a lack of funds to pay the teacher. With minimal investment, the project could be resumed, as all prerequisites are already in place. A portion of the revenue from selling the sewn clothes could potentially be reinvested into the ACC.
Solar System
Investing in a solar system would be very beneficial for the ACC. It could reduce long-term operating costs and make the ACC more independent.
Long-term Goals and Investments in the Asmara Children’s Center (ACC)
Over the coming years, projects will be developed in dialogue with the ACC to reduce its long-term dependence on external aid. This is currently still far off, as the current and immediate problems need to be addressed first. Nevertheless, long-term thinking is crucial to shape today's actions in a forward-looking manner.