The mission of ACI-International is to eliminate poverty and suffering in Africa.
Early History
History
The early history of our organization.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Q: How is ACI-International different than other NGOs, Foundations, or charities that claim to be helping out in Africa?
A: Most of the funding available to NGO's and nonprofits comes from foundations created as a result of extremely successful businesses. Those foundations are naturally drawn to projects that likewise promote, stimulate, or create new commercial enterprise. Therefore, the entire philanthropic community is comprised of business minded people who are only advancing projects that make way for continued or increased opportunity for profit. The vulnerability of human beings, animals, or the environment is only an issue they will take on when it is approached in a way that will provide new opportunity for enterprise, or is conducive to the flourishing of profit. Even government resources are structured in the same manner. For charity organizations like ACI their is no opportunity for sponsorship or funding because we do not champion the commercial enterprise cause. We don't concern ourselves with the well being of profit makers. We champion ourselves with causes that concern the well being of the vulnerable. As a research oriented organization we most often find that it is the power and wealth of enterprise that is at the very core of the oppression and injustice causing the suffering in the world. Africa is the perfect example. It is the wealthiest continent and yet most businesses pay their workers about 80 percent below the legal minimum wage requirement. The slave wages are attractive to those who look to Africa for profit. Those same slave wages are the very cause of the suffering being experienced by the majority of Africans who work hard each day but can't afford to adequately sustain their families. It is their suffering where we place our focus, and we don't care one bit about whether the wealthy get wealthier. We believe in the rule of law. When businesses in Africa are allowed to violate every law, every day, with every worker, without accountability then restoring the rule of law is the first area of priority needed to end the mass suffering of Africans.
Why did your organization stop making tools to improve law enforcement in America? A: We decided at the onset that we would focus our information technology talents where we could do the most good. After providing law enforcement agencies across America with over one dozen innovative tools to aid in law enforcement, we feel we have completed our goals in that area of focus. We have moved on to where our help is need most in the world.
Q: Has the organization relocated or moved their offices?
A: No. We still have an office in San Francisco, CA, our headquarters in Antioch, CA, and our office in Nairobi, Kenya.
Q: Africa is far from your headquarters. Why are you working there?
A: We have recognized that the people of Africa are currently experiencing an oppression today that is just as menacing than even the horrible oppressions in the continent's history. Slavery and colonialism shared a responsibility of keeping those they had conquered alive with shelter, food, and medicine. Employers in Africa do not concern themselves with such responsibility. More people are dying Africa today than anywhere else in the world, and at a rate higher than any time throughout history. Nearly all of those deaths are from poverty related causes. Those fortunate enough to have jobs that pay very little in exchange for very long hours and workweeks, are not about to push back on the poor treatment by their employers. They are grateful to have jobs and have accepted it as a way of life.
Q: What are the goals you wish to accomplish in Africa and how do you expect to accomplish them. ?
A: We have one primary goal: to persuade those who are violating the law to stop those violations. We are working on ways to incentivize law enforcement to safely enforce the law against even the wealthy and powerful. We are proposing laws to that effect. We, along with the government of the Republic of Kenya are fully aware of both the needs of the people and the funding needed for government and the challenges that those needs face. Our approach is to apply evidence based solutions directly and in creative ways to encourage the enforcement of existing law.
Our research and studies have shown that all of the obstacles preventing Kenya from being a fully developed country can be overcome if the large corporations began paying their fair share of taxes, as well as the legal minimum wage so that the workers can begin to pay their fair share taxes. Those large corporations are all multinational corporations who violate Kenyan labor laws en masse.