NIU’s African Student Association is heading the Uganda Project in hopes of raising enough money to build an orphanage in Africa.

The association, founded in 1993, is working to donate to The Children’s Sure House, which is based in Uganda. The organization works to assist children whose parents have died of HIV or AIDS.

Last fall, the association held Dance for Africa, one aspect of the Uganda Project. The event raised about $1,000.

“Last semester, we raised $1,000, and when you change it into African currency, that’s a lot of money,” said Olu Osinubi, senior health administration major and president of the ASA.

Osinubi, who lived in Nigeria for 15 years, said the ASA plans on holding Dance for Africa again in the fall in hopes of finishing the orphanage home. Last year’s event included professional African dancers, music, skits, poetry and jazz. When that project is completed, the ASA will find another organization to donate to, she said.

In addition to Dance for Africa, the ASA also participated in Partnership Board, a Walkathon in Chicago which raised money for the less fortunate and for children in Asia and Africa. In April, the ASA plans to hold The Taste of Africa, which will include a variety of African dishes made by members of the ASA, said Osinubi.

ASA, as stated in its constitution, works to “provide awareness and support for Africans worldwide” by teaching members and others about African culture, history and events.

“We want to break the stereotypes that people have of Africa and make people more aware of the African culture,” said Nini Lawani, senior health administration major and ASA treasurer.

The association contains 30 to 50 members, 85 percent of which are from various regions of Africa, most from Nigeria and Ghanda, Osinubi said.

Meetings are held every other Wednesday at 8:45 p.m. in the Stevenson South Fishbowl Room. The ASA is open to everyone, with a $10 annual membership fee, said Kwadwo Aning, sophomore computer science major and ASA secretary.

Aning, a native of Ghanda, said it is a great organization to be involved with and is very well thought out. He said he joined ASA to make a difference in the community.

Monday will kick off the ASA’s African Week with events open to all. For more information on these events, go to the ASA Web site at www.geocities.com/asa_niu, or e-mail the ASA at [email protected].