AjA E-Newsletter, Vol. 4

Dear AjA Project Supporter,
We are so fortunate to be in our third year of providing educational programming for refugee youth. We could not have succeeded thus far without your continued support!

 


Here is a quick AjA update:
Our three program sites, San Diego, Colombia and Thailand/Burma are running strong despite some major challenges. You can check out the latest projects from each site on our new web galleries! (Click here)

  San Diego
It gives me great pleasure to report that 65 recently resettled youth are participating at our three program sites in San Diego this semester. They will be learning black and white documentary photography and writing at a new location, the South Sudanese Community Center. Meanwhile, kids at the Sudanese English Project and the International Rescue Committee’s Students Plus Program will be learning and creating digital photography, digital video and audio recordings. As always, at the end of the semester, the kids will have the opportunity to present to their families and community the work that they have created, demonstrating the valuable skills they have learned and the themes they have explored.

by Adan Abdi
  Colombia
The Colombia team is charging into the new year. They are working at a new program site, Luis Carlos Galan. This month, they moved into a new teaching space at their main program site in El Progresso, Cazuca (just outside Bogota). The UNHCR created a calendar that includes our students’ photographs and a book about the program has just gone to print! We need your help to complete our next goal: building a computer lab in El Progresso. The children in this village have never had access to computers; the lab would allow them to develop computer skills and communicate their experiences with students in our San Diego and Thailand programs. If you would like to make a gift of a computer, laptop or computer equipment please contact me at ogden@ajaproject.org or call 619-223-7001
.

by Yessica Bermudez
 


Burma
Our team in Thailand had a very challenging winter. The Burmese refugee camp where our program was based (and everyone and everything in it) was forced to relocate. Luckily our team was able to safely transport weaving and photography teaching materials and equipment away from the now-abandoned camp. In the face of these challenges the Burma Project has incurred unexpected costs. Your donations are urgently needed to ensure a successful spring semester for the 140 Burmese refugee children who benefit from The AjA Project's programs in Thailand. Donations can be made online or sent to The AjA Project, P.O. Box 70174, San Diego, CA 92167.


by Kate Moxham
 

If you have airline miles that you can donate, please let us know! (We make annual site visits to our international programs and airfare is the biggest expense.)

Thank you so much for your continued support of our programs. Children all around the world are benefiting from your generosity! We have a lot planned for 2004, so be sure to stay in touch.
Thanks again and Happy New Year!

Sincerely yours,
Warren Ogden

Executive Director