One year after the January 26, 2020 public launch of the Teach • Reach • Bless campaign to build a dormitory for female students on the campus of Africa University the $1.5 million commitment goal has been met.
“I am joyfully overwhelmed by the Conference-wide support for building a dormitory for women at Africa University, providing female students a safe environment and community while pursuing their education. To each person and each congregation that has made a financial commitment to our Teach • Reach • Bless campaign, I say, ‘thank you!’ Your generosity will change lives,” said Bishop Tracy S. Malone.
To date, $516,097.52 of the committed $1.5 million has been collected. The new dorm will make it possible for more female students to live on campus, reducing the number who have to commute from remote areas and find affordable off-campus housing which puts them at high risk for living in and being subjected to untenable situations.
Two longstanding advocates for Africa University, Rev. Bill and Marty McFadden have offered a generous challenge gift of up to $250,000 to the East Ohio Conference to accelerate collection of the nearly $1 million still needed before ground can be broken on campus and building can begin on the new dormitory. The Teach • Reach • Bless campaign will receive from the McFaddens $1 for every $3 donated from any source during the 2021 calendar year.
“Marty and I are passionate about getting the dorm at AU built soon. We know that making a place for 90 women will result in a safe and transforming experience for them over the years. We have been thrilled to hear stories of women from all over sub-Sahara Africa who found at AU a future that otherwise would have been denied them. Graduates of AU are making an incredible impact in Africa and around the world,” said the Rev. Bill McFadden.
“I celebrate the generous challenge gift offered by Rev. Bill and Marty McFadden. Their gift could make it possible to break ground for the new dormitory early next year. For that to happen I ask that we each prayerfully consider how we can fulfill our individual commitments by sending in our donations this year,” said Malone. “If you haven’t made a commitment, it’s not too late to contribute to the campaign. Every $3 contributed in 2021 will become $4. Each donation matters. Together we can make this dream a reality!”
Andra M. Stevens, Director, Communications, Africa University Development Office
A World Service Special Gift is a designated financial contribution made by an individual, local church, organization, district or annual conference to a project authorized as such by the Connectional Table. Current World Service Special Gifts projects include the Africa University Endowment Fund, the Leonard Perryman Communications Scholarship for Ethnic Minority Students, the Methodist Global Education Fund, the National Anti-Gambling Project and the Lay Missionary Planting Network.
