International Awareness & Involvement
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has an extensive history of involvement in international issues, including advocating for the protection of human rights and supporting countries in developing sustainable infrastructure.
NDSA strives to increase cultural awareness in our local communities as well as bring attention to international concerns. Our aim is to have an impact in our global community and make the world a better place by conducting service projects to benefit those in need from diverse cultures.
Delta Days at the United Nations (DDUN) is an annual conference held during the annual session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). The purpose of DDUN is to bring awareness to and advocate on behalf of women and children worldwide, as it aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. NDSA participates in the conference via a chapter representative.
Signature Events
I Can Fly International
NDSA has been a frequent supporter of I Can Fly International with the donation of water backpacks and financial support. The IAI Committee informed the chapter about the dire needs and horrific genital mutilation practices still used today in African countries. The committee developed a fundraising campaign to support the girls of I Can Fly International, which is one of the approved international projects under Grand Chapter. The committee challenged chapter members to donate $22, in honor of our twenty-two Founders, to provide $2,500 towards the purchase of 50 uniforms for the children of I Can Fly International near Nairobi, Kenya. The committee exceeded its goal, with over 45% of chapter members donating, and was able to donate $3,000 to I Can Fly International School for the purchase of school uniforms.
Water Backpacks to Support Clean Water Initiative
NDSA has worked with Partners for Care www.partnersforcare.org to direct our donations to provide water backpacks to schools, which are supported by our national International Awareness and Involvement Committee. Our first donation in the amount of $605 allowed for the donation of 61 water packs to the Githunguri Primary School in Kiambu County. During subsequent years, a total of $1,000 was donated towards the production of 100 backpacks. Packs were distributed one for every 30 students in a school. Students at I Can Fly International in Nairobi, Kenya received 20 water packs and students at Muindi Mbingu School in Machakos, Kenya received 22 packs. The students were taught by the Partners for Care staff about safe water and hand washing. The remaining 58 packs were donated to nursery schools so that the younger children learn they will not become sick if they drink safe water.
World AIDS Day
Each year NDSA identifies a service project to support the global cause. NDSA supported World AIDS Day with a contribution of $1,000 to The Delta House at Vashti Village supporting the home for children who became orphans due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Locally, the IAI committee partnered with NDSA’s Social Action Committee and the Eta Mu Mu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. to provide a catered meal for 70 residents and staff of the Hillcrest House, which is a program of AIDS Services of Dallas that provides service to individuals who are formerly homeless and living with or impacted by HIV/AIDS. NDSA has also chosen to leverage social media to increase awareness, promote testing in our communities, and show strong support for those continuing to live with HIV/AIDS. Information relative to African Americans, African American women, and particularly to Texas residents was shared along with places to visit for testing. As a result, over 1,700 people were reached with 164 of them taking additional action upon reading the information.
World Vision Child Sponsorship
NDSA has supported the adoption of an African child through World Vision for more than 10 years and has continued our support with an annual monetary donation. This sponsorship provides immediate daily necessities and long-term resources for a young lady and her community as well as for other children in need.
Cynthia M.A. Butler-McIntyre Campus
NDSA is a strong supporter of the elementary school of Cynthia M.A. Butler-McIntyre Campus in Cherette, Haiti. The Committee has donated over $6,000 to the school throughout the past few years, and in particular to support the rebuilding of the school impacted by severe devastation.
Books for Africa
The “Books for Africa” initiative has been spearheaded by NDSA’s Delta DEARS for over four years. The effort is done in conjunction with www.booksforafrica.org. Books For Africa is the largest shipper of donated text and library books to the African continent. With an estimate of 40 books per box, NDSA estimates the following number of books were collected per year:
- 2014-15: 200 books (5 boxes)
- 2015-16: 440 books (11 boxes)
- 2017-18: 800 books (20 boxes)
- 2018-19: 850 books (21 boxes)
PAST INITIATIVES AND EVENTS
Hurricane Dorian Relief
Answering the call for assistance, the IAI committee sprang into action to help our sisters of the Bahamas Delta Chapters with assistance in the wake of Hurricane Dorian. The committee collected hand and bar soap, hand sanitizer, deodorant, toothbrushes, female sanitary products, first aid kits, and other traditional hygiene items during chapter activities, which resulted in the shipment of 10 boxes to the Bahamas.
Jamaica Alumnae Chapter Support
Answering the call from our sister Southwest Region chapter, Jamaica Alumnae, NDSA contributed $1,000 to the Jamaica Alumnae Mission Possible: Scholarship for Single Mothers. Additionally, in support of Jamaica Alumnae’s 109 Black Children’s Books Challenge, one of our NDSA chapter members reached out and had two of her line sisters who are authors added to the author list. Thereafter, NDSA initiated a chapter campaign to purchase the books of these two Sorors as well as other authors on the list.
DELTA STRATEGIC INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS AND PROJECTS
| PROJECTS IN SOUTH AFRICA | PROJECTS IN KENYA | PROJECT IN HAITI |
|---|---|---|
| – Johannesburg: Adelaide Tambo School for The Physically Challenged – Swaziland: Delta House/Vashti Village- Orphanage for Children of Aids Victims – Durban: Training Resources in Early Education – T.R.E.E. | – Thika: Mary Help of The Sick Mission Hospital – Maternal Hospital – I Can Fly High School – Mancakos: Muindi Mbinga Secondary School | – ChἘrette: Delta Sigma Theta School Elementary School |
MORE INFORMATION
Click here to visit Delta Sigma Theta’s National International Awareness and Involvement page. For more information about the chapter’s initiatives around International Awareness and Involvement, please contact the committee chair at iai@dstndsa.org.
