Forget-me-not - Short Stuff - Africaid - Brief Article

Girls' Life, August-Sept, 2003 by Shanae Bennett

In a land full of the world's most majestic animals, native Africans know that old saying: "An elephant never forgets." But young women in Tanzania know there's also a very dedicated girl in Denver who never forgot them. After a safari visit when she was just 11, Ashley Shuler, 18 witnessed the devastating level of poverty which made a huge impression on her.

Three years after that visit Ashley founded AfricAid to raise money and supplies to support young girls' education in Tanzania. Since then AfricAid has sent $70,000 in cash and supplies, including computers, to the MaaSae Girls Lutheran Secondary School and others. Ashley believes the secondary schooling, equivalent to high school in the United States is crucial for these girls who traditionally don't advance beyond an elementary-level education. For her efforts, Ashley is a recipient of a Prudential Spirit of the Community Award. While she realizes she can't reconstruct a nation, she says "The world and its problems make you feel small, but we are all c apable of making a huge difference. Take a step back and look at one way you can help." Visit www.africaid.org for more information.