Basic Essentials for Africa University Students

Africa University students come from many African countries. Their needs and challenges are as diverse as their backgrounds. Even those with scholarships and financial aid to cover tuition still need assistance to cover basic needs. Basic essentials some people take for granted are beyond the reach of some students. Examples are soap, food, Lotion, toothpaste, air time, print pages, sanitary pads etc. Both local but mostly international students are affected because some come from war-torn countries and via refugee campus to Africa University. This makes them very needy in terms of basics. Coupled with failure to get money to go for vacation, lack of basic needs can make stay at Africa University very difficult for international students in particular. This is why a project to look at this situation is greatly appreciated because we can never underestimate the relief it gives to our students. As early as 2000, some Africa University staff members observed the need to help such students and helped in their own small way to provide mainly toiletries. They called their intervention the Toothpaste Club as it was seen as a way to provide small items such as toothpaste. This need developed into the now Advance Project 3020619 which has taken a much bigger dimension than what it was then.