Autism Community of Africa
Because We Care
Events & Activities
As part of the global “Decade for Autism” challenge, which asks countries worldwide for more involvement into autism research, services, and awareness, Autism Speaks with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) held their Fourth Annual World Focus on Autism on Wednesday, September 20, 2011. As in previous years, the even brought First Spouses from countries around the world including Mrs. Ban Soon-taek, wife to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, together to discuss autism and elaborate on strategies to tackle this disorder. This year, Autism Speaks worked closely with ACA to invite Mrs. Ouattarra, First Lady of Cote d’Ivoire to the event. During the event, Mrs. Kobenan had the opportunity to exchange with several dignitaries including the first lady of Albania, Mrs. Ban Soon-taek, Dr. McCarton, Executive Director and Founder of the McCarton Foundation and McCarton School, the Nigeria Minister of Health, Mme. Goudou Coffie, the minister for Family, Women and Children of Cote d’Ivoire and many more. Mrs. Kobenan used the opportunity to speak in the name of all the families from Africa to stress the importance of Government involvement in this battle. There was a great response from the attendees and the event was an overall success. But our hard work paid off when Mrs. Ouattarra, first lady of Cote d’Ivoire, met with Andy Shih PhD, VP Scientific Affairs Autism Speaks, and promised to get more involve in the fight against this disorder. May 31 2011 On May 31 2011, ACA was honored to receive an invitation for Mrs. Kobenan to testify at a hearing entitled, “Global Perspectives on Autism-A Growing Public Health Crisis” before the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Right. This was a great opportunity for Mrs. Kobenan in her quest to bring awareness on Autism in Africa to talk about the conditions and realities for autism families in Africa. This shows that somewhere, someone is listening but we still have a long way to go.
Thank you Congressman Smith for your dedication to the cause! Cameroun Centre Ochidee Home is celebrating its 5th WAAD under the patronage of Mrs. Chantal Biya, April 1st, 2011 Mrs. Brigitte Kobenan will be speaking about autism in Africa as a guest on VOA. On JULY 17, at the James Duckworth school in Beltsville, Maryland. Hosted by the Autism Community of Africa, a fortified collaboration of civic minded African organizations, committed activists, organizational leaders, a cadre of progressive African gentlemen championing soccer teams, and the zest of youths reflected a cross-section of the African community that rose for the kickoff games of Le Cinquantenaire - the 50th Anniversary of 17 African Nations. With palate tantalizing BBQ and parade of African countries, kick off is just the beginning - ushering in the Count Down to the African Heritage Month in September and Touch Down of Le Cinquantenaire Ball. The wife of the Ivory Coast Ambassador opened the afternoon. April 11 2010 St Camillus Church: 1600 Saint Camillus drive Silver Spring, MD 20903 Please remember to celebrate the day by participating in an activity in your community. The links below will help you find activities in your cities: April 2 2010 April 1 2010 The public had the opportunity to learn about autism in Africa, ACA’s projects and ways to help. We invite everyone to e –mail us or call us at 301-875-5956 with ideas or suggestions on improving this event. We always welcome your donations. ACA wants to thank those of you who made donations on Saturday; ACA will forever be grateful for it. See you next year for the second edition! Under the patronage of Mrs. Adjaratou Coffi, spouse of the Ambassador of Cote d’Ivoire in the USA , ACA is hosting a big soccer match between the countries of Cote d’Ivoire and Gabon Saturday, July 11 2009 from 4:pm to 8:pm at Bullis Local park, 8501 Houston street , Silver Spring, MD 20910. This Soccer match will be preceded by a friendly game among men and women of the Ivoirian community.
Proceeds from the $10.00 Challenge will benefit the "Yopougon Center for Children with Mental Disability", a center servicing underprivileged families in Côte d'ivoire. The Yopougon Center is unable to provide adequate services and care to the children in need due to poverty and lack of resources.
Send donations and materials to: Autism Community of Africa 8775 Cloud Leap Ct Ste P#18 Columbia, MD 21045 April 2 2009 ACA was represented by Mrs. Kobenan in London at the Stars Shine for Autism gala, attended by Her Royal Highness, The Countess of Wessex, on March 12, 2009. The gala featured an exclusive performance by Alfie Boe with the London Chamber Orchestra conducted by Christopher Warren-Green. Mrs. Kobenan used the opportunity to speak about Autism in Africa and the much needed help there. *AUTISM SPEAKS MARATHON The center-based school and vocational area will have structured programs focusing on specific needs of the students, with a wide array of social play situations and activities of daily living.
September 20 2011
March 29-April 2nd 2011
first Lady of Cameroun.
USA
Voice of America television.
April 7-10, 2011
Ghana
2011 International Autism Policies and Practices
Autism Society of West Africa - Inaugural conference
International Conference Center
Accra, Ghana
July 17 2010
ACA Football Extravaganza!!!!
Thank you all for coming and making the celebration a memorable event!!!!!
Thank you to the Smithsonian African Art Museum, to the Senegalese Football team, to James E. Duckworth School for the beautiful location, to Racine Heritage Foundation for its constant support, to the Ivorian team, to all the vendors, volunteers and everyone who came out.
We also want to thank the ones who couldn't make it but sent in their support!!!!!
Thank you Mrs. Koffi (Tata Koffi) for always showing us that you care!!!!
Click here for pictures of the event and see you next year!!!!!
Below is a paragraph taken from the Continental Africa news letter by Evelyn Joe.
April 17 2010
Mrs. Kobenan and Mrs. Dawn Cooper Barnes, wife of Liberian Ambassador, will be at the Health Care and Social Service exhibition by the Continental African Community Inc. from 6pm to 9pm.The location of the event is :
ACA is partnering with LAMI clinic and Mobile Med to raise awareness on autism through a “Health Day” with the community “Marie Reine du Monde” at St Camillus Church in Silver Spring. Everyone is invited!
http://www.lightitupblue.org
http://www.autism-society.org
ACA is celebrating in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire with a conference on Autism, distribution of brochures and flyers, TV appearances, donation of medications, foods, and gifts to the Yopougon center for children with disability, with media coverage.
The founder, Mrs. Kobenan, was invited to Ridgefield Park High School in New Jersey to speak about autism in Africa.
April 1 2010
Mrs. Kobenan was invited to the Autism Speaks' Opening Bell ceremony in New York.
March 31 2010
Mrs. Kobenan was a guess at the Autism Speaks' cocktail celebration of the World Autism Awareness Day. Click here for pictures of the event.
Welcome the homeopathic cure, LLC.
ACA would like to welcome, from the Homeopathic Cure LLC. Neepa Sevak, D.H.M.S. DIHom. HMA. As a partner, Ms. Sevak will be part of the team of specialists who will help with the treatment of the children in Africa. Ms. Sevak has been treating children with mental disability including autism naturally and effectively for years. Ms. Kobenan, founder of ACA has had her own experience with Ms. Sevak. Since each child with autism is different, her own son Vinny was not responding well to other treatments. She then decided to give Homeopathy a try and it works wonders for Vinny. The conventional treatment is always a way to go but having Ms. Sevak on board with ACA is a great alternative and low cost option to help with the children in Africa. ACA is always open to others specialists who want to come along with us on this journey that we are partaking in Africa. But for now, let’s us welcome Ms. Sevak! To learn more about Ms. Neepa Sevak, go to
http://www.homeopathic-cure.com/
Football Extravaganza
The Football extravaganza! Was a success in attendance! Thanks to all of you who came to help make this moment a remarkable one. Thank you to our players! It takes special souls to understand a cause, get involve and give back to the community and you guys are not only special but just wonderful!
Football Extravaganza
$10.00 challenge! Documentary
With a capacity of 30, the Center is hosting over 90 children with almost non-existent funds & material, and hundreds of children are waiting to be admitted. Volunteers give their time to care for these children and are confronted daily with many challenges including the lack of:
- Food
- Adequate Medication and treatment
- Qualified personnel (special Ed)
- Adequate transportation for the children (most of the families live far from the center. Parents or young siblings have to walk many kilometers to the center to drop children.)
With the $10 challenge, we hope to raise at least $15.000.00 and take the first step toward helping the center. We'd like to make a difference in the lives of the children with mental disabilities of the Yopougon Center by purchasing a used Van for their transportation and provide food and adequate treatment.
Our ultimate goal is to build a bigger center which will include all needed resources along with trained personnel to help more children.
Any additional donation in funding or material (including a van) will be appreciated.
ACA along with the children, parents and volunteers of the yopougon center thank you for your contribution and generosity.
You can also e-mail us at info@autismcommunityofafrica.org
Or make a donation on line at www.autismcommunityofafrica.org
*April 2 World Autism Awareness Day
ACA was represented by Mrs. Kobenan at the United Nations events to celebrate the Day.
*StarsShine for Autism
March 12 2009
*“Friends & Family” Reception & Fund Raising!!!!
Saturday December 6 2008
ACA hosted it's first fund raising on December 6th 2008.
ACA participated in the Autism Speaks Run on July 4th, see pictures in our Photo Album.
*MRS. KOBENAN'S TRIP TO COTE D'IVOIRE (IVORY COAST)
One of our long term goals is the building of a boarding school/center for individuals with developmental disabilities and related disorders including autism in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.
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