Africa Uplifted is a 501(c)(3) public charity whose mission is to enrich the lives of the people of Sierra Leone. Africa Uplifted accomplishes this mission by promoting basic wellness, removing barriers to education, satisfying essential physical needs, nurturing spiritual development, and creating economic opportunities.
Africa Uplifted board members visit Sierra Leone regularly and frequently take up to six other team members with them. Trips typically last about two weeks. Each trip is unique and tailored to the interest and specific skills of the team as well as the needs of the community. Some trips focus on medical outreach while others may have an educational, spiritual or an economic developmental focus.
Africa Uplifted currently sponsors a number of ongoing projects in Sierra Leone including:
The Doris Acton Community Health Center
This primary health care facility was constructed by Africa Uplifted in 2009-2010 and consists of a clinic, staff quarters, water wells and latrines. It is situated on five acres of donated land in the village of Manonkoh, Sierra Leone. The DACHC provides basic health care services to approximately 100 patients per week and employs a staff of approximately 12 including the nurse in charge – Peter Kamara. The DACHC includes a solar power system that provides electricity to the clinic, the staff quarters, and the adjacent primary school.
The Manonkoh UMC Primary and Preschool
This campus, which was expanded by Africa Uplifted in 2011 and again in 2017, now includes three preschool classrooms, six elementary classrooms, a kitchen complex, water wells, and housing for the teachers. The school currently employs ten full time teachers, two teacher aids, a custodian, four lunch ladies and one headmaster. The school provides preschool and elementary education to over 300 students. Africa Uplifted provides school uniforms and supplies to all enrolled students for a nominal fee. Africa Uplifted provides salary supplements for all teachers. Lunch is served at the school every day. All of the inputs for the lunch are sourced locally and women from the village work as cooks.
Scholarships
Africa Uplifted provides housing, transportation and education allowances to the boy and girl from the Manonkoh UMC Primary School Class VI who have achieved the highest scores on their national test. These allowances create the opportunity for two students per year to continue their education at the Makeni UMC Junior Secondary School and Senior Secondary School.
Water Wells
Africa Uplifted has constructed several water wells and provides subsidized maintenance as necessary for approximately eight wells in the Manonkoh, Sierra Leone area.
Latrines
Several latrines throughout Manonkoh, Sierra Leone and the surrounding villages have been constructed or renovated by Africa Uplifted. Subsidized maintenance as necessary is also provided.
Pastoral Salary Assistance
Africa Uplifted subsidizes the salary of the UMC volunteer lay pastors in Manonkoh, Sierra Leone and assists with minor maintenance items for the church in the community.
Africa Uplifted is managed by Lance and Julie Burma and governed by the following board of directors:
