Dear Friend,
Welcome to the second newsletter of 2025, a big year for CHASE Africa as it marks our 25th Anniversary. This month also marks International Women's Day, an important date to celebrate and champion women worldwide.
This month we have been reflecting on the founding stories of CHASE Africa and how these beginnings have shaped our work. From the early days of planting trees, promoting reforestation and water harvesting, we have evolved with programmes to improve access to healthcare, information and family planning across many remote parts of East Africa. The model of working with local partners to deliver the programmes remains today. As CHASE Africa’s first Director Henry Pomeroy reflected,
"We were always led by the partners, they are the people that hold the experience and expertise"
The recent announcements on international aid cuts will transform the global development landscape. Although our work and funding have not been affected directly, the areas that we work in are being impacted by reductions to government funding for health and education services, and cuts to other organisations’ programmes. It amplifies even further the pressing need to reach the most underserved areas and communities. The everyday health services that many of us are fortunate to be able to access easily are often out of reach for many remote communities where we work in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
While we look back at the story of CHASE Africa, the impact we have made and the lives we have changed, we also look forward with focus and determination to improve and grow our impact for years to come.
CHASE Africa - The Journey, from 2000-2025
The below timeline shows the story of CHASE Africa, with important dates and impact over the last 25 years. From the early days of tree planting to the realisation and movement towards community health, family planning and women's health and rights.
Stories of change on film
We recently produced this film, based around the work we do with a focus on Women and Girls. It highlights the issues faced by many women and girls in East Africa and also the work you support us with to make a positive impact.
Our Work in Action
Our local SRHR Manager Francis Kadiri recently visited one of our key partners Dandelion Africa to catch up on a number of CHASE Africa funded programmes across the Rift Valley in Kenya.
Francis spent time on the visit seeing Dandelion's programmes around Community Health, Women's Livelihood and Economic Empowerment, Youth Engagement and Advocacy to eliminate important issues such as FGM and Gender Based Violence.
To find out more about the visit and some of the vital work that we are doing with Dandelion Africa read the full story on our website by following this link:
Full Story on our website
£25 a month for 2025
As part of our 25th anniversary we are inviting you to make a real difference by joining our £25 a month Direct Debit plan. It's simple to do and it will make a huge difference in building brighter futures for many women, girls and whole communities.
£25 a month could cover the cost of two backpack nurse clinics, providing essential healthcare services and information to the most hard to reach communities in East Africa.
Donate here - Thank you
Support CHASE Africa for free while you shop
When you shop online you can support CHASE Africa through many major brands like Tesco, Ebay, John Lewis and Just Eat. The brands will donate part of what you spend to CHASE Africa. It won't cost you any extra as the cost is covered by the brand. It's easy to get started. Find out how on our website.
Healthy Women, Healthy Communities, Healthy Environment