Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is ACA?
ACA is a tax-exempt, not for profit corporation that has been active for the past four years (two years setting up before incorporation and two years since incorporation) bringing students and materials to Africa to see more than just the scenery (although its participants see a lot of that, too).
2. When was ACA founded?
The organization was founded by Arnold L. Gray, Ph.D. (Clark University, 1988) and Marla Chassels (BA, Stockton College, 1997) in 1997.
3. How and why was ACA founded?
(Answer by Arnold Gray) In 1995 I took a student group Africa. The highlight of the trip was a village project we initiated working hand in hand with the local inhabitants. We brought books, encyclopedia, and introduced some simple environmental quality equipment to a village. What a simple student group was able to achieve in less than a week was amazing. The supplies that we brought were all "throw away" items in the US. The students got as much out of the experience, if not more, than the folks they were trying to help. I knew then that if we were able to apply what we had done on a prolonged basis, the results for all could be profound. Its taken a few years to lay the groundwork, but ACA now has the means to mobilize students and much needed, used materials from the US to Africa.
4. I am interested in the program. Can ACA send me materials and the appropriate applications to participate?
No. ACA works completely in an electronic format. The fact is, there is no longer any reason to use paper and it adds substantially to program costs. We will answer all questions you have by email and include them in the FAQ. When you commit to serving an internship, we will discuss all the relevant issues with you, make sure you are prepared, and place you in Africa. We supply receipts electronically.
5. The costs are advertised--where does the money go?
Numbers are rounded off, but there is a $500 tax deductible fee that goes to ACA to maintain field operations. Another $500 is applied to cover your food, shelter and transportation costs in Africa. The rest is tied up in airline fees. We have arrangements with Air Zimbabwe and Virgin Atlantic airlines; costs varying by travel season. If we are able to find cheaper fares, we will take them. If you are able to find cheaper fares, you can handle the travel costs on your own, and the internship fees are $1000 for the first month, and $500 for each month after that (to cover food, shelter and transportation costs).
6. How are fees handled? When do I have to pay?
a. Airline fees are paid straight to the airline a minimum of two months prior to departure. Any refund for cancellation is at the discretion of the airline. ACA is not involved in this transaction.
b. The $500 ACA fee is required two weeks before departure. Full refund in the event of cancellation will be provided within two weeks of request.
c. The $500 in-country fees are required four months before departure. These funds are forwarded to Africa when received and cannot be refunded.
7. Can I just pay ACA and let you handle this?
Yes, but it is not necessary. Funding is immediately forwarded as described in #6, above, so it works to your advantage to cover the expenses when due as described in #6.
8. I would like to volunteer my services but cannot provide funding for airfare. Can you send me and cover the costs?
Sorry. ACA has no funding source available to handle this. ACA will assist in working with a sponsor if you are able to find one.
9. I want to go but would need to pay bit by bit. Can I do that?
Yes and No, depending.
1. Yes, if you want to pay parts until you are paid in full, we will manage an account for you. You are better off doing this yourself, however, in that ACA can not pay interest on what you put on account. If you change your mind, funds held by ACA will be refunded. Funds paid from the account to the airlines has to be handled by them. Fees for Africa will not be sent until you schedule a date. Once sent to Africa, however, these funds are no longer available for refund.
2. No, if you want to pay after the trip. Again, we do not have the resources to accommodate this.
10. Can I sign up with a friend?
Yes. We can arrange for you to work on the same project in the same village. You may, however, be placed in separate English-speaking homes.
11. Do I have to live in the US to participate.
Don't let the name deceive you. Let American be somewhat generic as far as who can participate is concerned. One of our participants was from Peru and Canadians are very much welcomed. If this turns out to be a problem, I am certainly open to creating a Canadian arm of the organization that can run independently. The organization's goal is to provide development assistance in Africa. A rose, by any other name, would smell as sweet.
New questions will be added to the FAQ as they arrive, so keep watch.