How does Advantage Africa spend its money? Does a lot go on administration?  
In 2008/09 86% of our expenditure was spent on the delivery of support, services and grants to our partner organisations in Africa, 11% on fundraising and 4% on governance.  Supporting lasting development in Africa is not just about sending money overseas and these figures compare favourably with other development charities.

I would like to donate money to a specific project.  Is that possible?
We often put grants from trusts, foundations, churches and other organisations towards specific projects that attract their interest and we are also able to do this for individual donations where the administrative burden of doing so can be justified. The majority of our individual supporters however prefer to allow us to use their donations where we and our partner organisations decide they are most needed.

How can I get involved?
One of the most effective ways of supporting us is by making a regular monthly donation and by telling others about our work. You can also participate in local and national fundraising events, contribute to campaigns described on our campaigns page and lobby your MP and MEP to take greater political responsibility and action in relation to the Millennium Development Goals.

How can I find out more about the issues facing disadvantaged people in Africa? 
A good start is our issues pages.  We have also listed some useful sources of information on disability and HIV/AIDS on our links page.

Have you any plans to expand to other countries?
We aim to expand our programme in Kenya and Uganda during 2010 but have no immediate plans for a third country.

How effective are you really?
Our passion is to help inspirational people and their organisations to bring about long lasting change for the most disadvantaged people in their communities. Our support to disabled children at Mitaboni, orphans in Obambo and people affected by HIV/AIDS in Kalulini has enabled them to access some of the most basic necessities of life for the very first time – things like water, education, food, healthcare and most importantly acceptance and understanding.  The feedback they give us indicates our work is effective!  However, Advantage Africa aims to be a learning organisation; together with our partner organisations we are constantly measuring and then improving upon our effectiveness in order to increase the impact of our work and ensure that it is sustained for future generations.

Is corruption a problem in your work?
Advantage Africa works with inspirational people who are motivated to make positive changes in their communities, for others as well as themselves.  All Advantage Africa staff and partners are governed by transparent principles and we do not face direct problems with corruption in our work.

Are you a Christian organisation?
Advantage Africa is a Christian-led organisation born from the founders’ Christian belief in challenging the injustice of poverty through practical action.  We do not evangelise and our approach and work is inclusive, embracing people of all faiths or none.  In practice, this means that some of our staff, partners, supporters and trustees are Christians, some are not.

The situation in Africa always seems to be getting worse.  Can we really make poverty history?
We are active supporters and members of the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY movement.  We believe that no country can achieve a lasting reduction in poverty without economic growth, investment and the chance to trade on fair terms.  However, we believe that the positive outlook, determination and dynamism of people living in absolute poverty are catalysts for change.  That is why we support and help people empower themselves in grass-roots communities.  This empowerment is a way for people to eventually hold governments and donors to account – which in turn will help make poverty history.