Black Lives Matter Statement
The Rafiki Village Project wholeheartedly supports Black Lives Matter and embraces its anti-racist agenda. We respect and strive to emulate BLM’s emphasis on intersectionality, leadership from the communities most affected, and sanctity for the inherent dignity of Black life.
We acknowledge that the RVP was started by white people in the United States and that it is our responsibility to continually examine our motives and practices as we partner with and provide assistance to the community of Dumbeta Ward, in Tanzania. We recognize that the economic inequities we seek to address there result in large part from the egregious history of European exploitation of the African continent and oppression of African people. In the US, African-American people are subjected to racism, police brutality and mass incarceration, which have roots in the enslavement of both West and East African people. While the specific issues being tackled may differ, BLM and RVP both seek to repair historic injustices and elevate Black lives. In the broadest sense we are all part of the same struggle.
Our Guiding Principles emphasize the common humanity and equality of all people and articulate our belief that the transfer of wealth from the economically privileged to the economically disadvantaged is a necessary step towards economic justice. We reject a top-down approach to development and instead rely on the knowledge and wisdom of the local community when determining what projects will be undertaken and how they will be executed and maintained.
When we provide school supplies so that Tanzanian children can achieve literacy and invest in the futures of their families, we are saying that Black Lives Matter. When we provide formerly unavailable medical supplies to enhance the community’s physical wellbeing, we are saying that Black Lives Matter. When we entrust the most important decisions to our African partners, we are saying that Black Lives Matter.
As a nonprofit based in Portland, Oregon, we actively engage and collaborate with like-minded community partners, including the local Tanzanian community and other Africa-focused programs. This includes tangibly supporting educational efforts such as the African Film Festival and the Pan African Festival. It also includes partnering with local black- and African-owned businesses whenever we plan a fundraiser or educational event.
We acknowledge that the RVP was started by white people in the United States and that it is our responsibility to continually examine our motives and practices as we partner with and provide assistance to the community of Dumbeta Ward, in Tanzania. We recognize that the economic inequities we seek to address there result in large part from the egregious history of European exploitation of the African continent and oppression of African people. In the US, African-American people are subjected to racism, police brutality and mass incarceration, which have roots in the enslavement of both West and East African people. While the specific issues being tackled may differ, BLM and RVP both seek to repair historic injustices and elevate Black lives. In the broadest sense we are all part of the same struggle.
Our Guiding Principles emphasize the common humanity and equality of all people and articulate our belief that the transfer of wealth from the economically privileged to the economically disadvantaged is a necessary step towards economic justice. We reject a top-down approach to development and instead rely on the knowledge and wisdom of the local community when determining what projects will be undertaken and how they will be executed and maintained.
When we provide school supplies so that Tanzanian children can achieve literacy and invest in the futures of their families, we are saying that Black Lives Matter. When we provide formerly unavailable medical supplies to enhance the community’s physical wellbeing, we are saying that Black Lives Matter. When we entrust the most important decisions to our African partners, we are saying that Black Lives Matter.
As a nonprofit based in Portland, Oregon, we actively engage and collaborate with like-minded community partners, including the local Tanzanian community and other Africa-focused programs. This includes tangibly supporting educational efforts such as the African Film Festival and the Pan African Festival. It also includes partnering with local black- and African-owned businesses whenever we plan a fundraiser or educational event.