Frequently Asked Questions
Thank you for your interest in AMREF and our work empowering vulnerable communities towards better health care in Africa.
Below is more information on AMREF’s work, structure and expertise.
If you have any more questions please contact us directly at info@amrefcanada.org
Who is AMREF?
What does AMREF do?
What kind of programs do you have?
What kind of research do you do?
What kind of lab work do you do?
How many people work for AMREF?
Where does AMREF get its funding?
What was AMREF Africa and AMREF Canada’s budget in 2008?
What does AMREF Canada do?
What makes AMREF different than other NGOs?
What does the Canadian board do?
How much of my donation dollar goes to fundraising and administration?
Does AMREF send doctors abroad?
I am a doctor/nurse/public health student; can I volunteer with AMREF in Africa?
Can I donate books/clothes/medical supplies for AMREF to send to Africa?
I will be traveling to East Africa and want to visit an AMREF project, could you please set this up for us?
Who is AMREF?
AMREF is the African Medical & Research Foundation. Founded in 1957 as the Flying Doctors of East Africa, AMREF is the world’s leading African non-governmental health development organization.
What does AMREF do?
AMREF improves health. We empower Africans to seek health solutions. AMREF works in communities, developing their strengths and abilities to play an active role in their own heath care. Instead of giving out aid – AMREF empowers communities and works with governments to find sustainable solutions to health problems.
We provide training and distance education programs, primary health care services, and community-based health initiatives – all devised and delivered by Africans.
What kind of programs do you have?
AMREF works closely with African communities and governments to best serve the most vulnerable people in the communities we work in. We work to: 1. Fight disease, 2. Create healthy communities, 3. Train health workers, 4. Strengthen Health Systems, 5. Advocate and Research.
What kind of research do you do?
Each project or program that AMREF implements is carefully tracked and documented to produce evidence, which is shared with communities, the health care system and organizations, whom we partner with to improve health.
For example, when we piloted our Personal Hygiene & Sanitation Education (PHASE) program in partnership with the Ministries of Health and Education in Kenya, – our evidence in safe water and personal hygiene education elicited a 40% increase in primary school attendance. This evidence was brought forward to the Ministries, who have now made PHASE compulsory in Kenyan Primary Schools.
What kind of lab work do you do?
AMREF’s laboratory services program works to improve the lab services run by the government, missions and NGOs in East Africa, and the promotion of laboratory testing. The result is more effective and precise testing for diagnosing and treating illnesses such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.
How many people work for AMREF?
There are over 700 people working for AMREF worldwide. More than 600 are in Africa and more than 90 per cent are from the communities where they work. In Canada, AMREF has six full time staff members in its Toronto-based office.
Where does AMREF get its funding?
There are four groups that support AMREF: The Canadian government (CIDA, the arm of the Canadian government that financially supports international development projects), Companies (eg. GlaxoSmithKline and Barrick Gold), Foundations (eg. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Stephen Lewis Foundation), and generous individual Canadaians.
What was AMREF Africa and AMREF Canada’s budget in 2008?
$65 million and $1.9 million, respectively
What does AMREF Canada do?
AMREF Canada supports AMREF in Africa to address critical health challenges by raising funds, providing project support, building capacity, raising awareness and engaging the Canadian public in African health development.
For example our annual fundraiser, the African Marketplace Gala, raises money to support our health projects in Africa. In 2008 the Gala raised over $315,000! Join us at Polson Pier for this year’s annual African Marketplace on May 14th, 2009 for another unforgettable night filled with African food, entertainment and live and silent auctions.
What makes AMREF different than other NGO’s?
All of our programs are focused on African led initiatives. We have a fundamental belief in Africa and optimism about the future – we celebrate Africa’s strengths and successes. Our staff understands the root of health problems in Africa and have unmatched local knowledge and cultural sensitivity that invokes trust and credibility. Lastly, we invest in Africa, we do not distribute aid.
What does the Canadian board do?
The Canadian board is responsible for governance of the activities of AMREF Canada.
How much of my donation dollar goes to fundraising and administration?
In 2007 AMREF Canada expensed 70% of its income to programmes and over 80% of our receipted donations to programmes. Therefore, if you make a $50 donation, over 80% will be directed to our health development work.
While we do everything possible to keep our overhead costs down (donated IT services, donated printing, donated professional services, donated computers & furniture, etc.) we also hold fundraising events and seek sponsorships in order to cover our administration and fundraising expenses. This enables us to direct more of our donations to supporting our health development work in Africa.
Does AMREF send doctors abroad?
We only send doctors if they fit certain criteria in their field of expertise and are available for an extended period of time. You can apply through our Volunteer Physicians Programme with the Flying Doctors.
I am a doctor/nurse/public health student; can I volunteer with AMREF in Africa?
AMREF does not have a formal volunteer overseas programme because we are not a volunteer sending organization. However, we do make considerations on a case by case basis and we welcome submission of a letter of intent and your CV.
Can I donate books/clothes/medical supplies for AMREF to send to Africa?
The cost of shipping makes such donations highly prohibitive; however we can suggest other organizations which do regular large shipments to developing countries.
I will be traveling to East Africa and want to visit an AMREF project, could you please set this up for us?
We can try but we need to be very considerate of the time required by our field staff in Africa to accommodate such visits. That being said, AMREF staff does make routine visits and we would be happy to share the schedule with you.
Learn more about AMREF Canada;
Annual Reports
Habari Newsletter
Field Diaries
Online Resource Centre
