Aminata Lo

American Foundation for African Children's Education (AFACE)

The American Foundation for African Children's Education (AFACE), is a New York-based non-profit that focuses on repairing primary schools in West Africa. AFACE is unique from other non-profits because it employs a zero expense ratio system, where all proceeds collected in North America are wired directly to West African hardware stores. Upon receiving payment, the hardware stores distribute supplies to AFACE volunteers on the ground, who repair the schools. Over 9,000 West African children have been helped as a result of AFACE's efforts. In addition to renovating schools, AFACE has raised money to purchase school buses for autistic children, built sea walls to prevent the flooding of schools on the Atlantic Ocean, and has established working relationships with other non-profits and government officials in West Africa. Additionally, AFACE sponsored the NASDAQ Closing Bell Ceremony on September 23rd, 2011 for the President of Sierra Leone.