November 25, 2005

"Shall we let our children die of curable or preventable illnesses; prevent them form going to school; let people drink polluted water- just to pay off this debt?" –William Mkapa, President of the United Republic of Tanzania.

The American Friends Service Committee launches Ten Days of Africa Debt Action, December 1 – 10. Here's why:

Every year in Africa, six million children die of malnutrition before their fifth birthday. More than 800 million people go to bed hungry. Thousands die of starvation. HIV/AIDS kills more than 2 million people every year and adds to the league of millions of orphans in developing countries.

More than 4 million children under five have died since seven of the world's wealthiest nations began to consider 100% debt cancellation for impoverished countries in June 2004. How many more will loose their lives?

The American Friends Service Committee asks you to join our National Call to Prayer, December 1 – 10, in your places of worship. We're asking religious leaders from all faith denominations to take a moment during this weekend to lead a day of worship that highlights the need for debt cancellation.

Friday, December 2 – National Call to Prayer for Debt Cancellation (Mosques) Saturday, December 3 – National Call to Prayer for Debt Cancellation (Temple/Synagogue) Sunday, December 4 – National Call to Prayer for Debt Cancellation (Church) Tuesday, December 6 – National Candlelight Vigils for Cancellation Thursday, December 8 – Student Days of Africa Debt Action

To find out ways you can organize your faith community to participate visit the AFSC website, http://www.afsc.org/africa-debt/call-to-prayer.htm. Resources for Churches and Christian communities, Jewish Congregations and Islamic communities are available.

Other Ways to Join December Ten Days of Africa Debt Action

• Organize a town hall meeting on the Africa Debt Crisis. For possible speakers, visit our Life over Debt Speakers Bureau, http://www.afsc.org/africa/new-africa/learn/speakers.htm.

• Host a Life Over Debt 101 training to learn more about the debt crisis. Contact rlawson@afsc.org to schedule your training or for information.

• Schedule a meeting with your congressperson in your home town to tell them about Africa's Debt crisis.

• Plan to host the Red Hot Embers exhibit. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.afsc.org/africa/new-africa/activism/burning-embers.htm or email dgramigna@afsc.org.

American Friends Service Committee
The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker organization that includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice, peace and humanitarian service. Its work is based on the belief in the worth of every person and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice.