History

SpanAfrica began in the summer of 2005 when Founder Rebecca Mitchell volunteered in Nakuru, Kenya at an orphanage and school. It was a life-changing experience, and she became dedicated to supporting the individuals and grassroots development organizations that so inspired her. Rebecca brought together a team of local Kenyans and international colleagues to develop this dream, and out of it grew SpanAfrica, previously known as the Student Project Africa Network.

SpanAfrica is a registered 501c3 non-profit in the United States, and is run by a Board of Directors and international Regional Directors. We have worked with over thirty grassroots organizations in Kenya and Zambia, raised over $20,000 USD for development projects, and placed over seventy volunteers of diverse geographical and professional backgrounds.

Today we continue to grow, with physical offices and Regional Directors in Kenya, Zambia, and Ghana, and internet-based support and resources available to all grassroots development organizations in Africa.

2009

March

• The Student Project Africa Network (SPAN) changes its name to SpanAfrica.

July

• Launch of the GlobalReach program and on-line resource center for all our Grassroots Partner Organizations and volunteers to network with and support each other, regardless of location.

• SpanAfrica expands support to include Ghana and South Africa.

 

2008

•   Regional Director office is opened in Ndola, Zambia. SpanAfrica in Zambia is now prepared to receive volunteers from around the world.

 

2007

January

• Spanafrica begins designing, implementing, and fundraising for projects at our Grassroots Partners with the help of volunteers.

March

• SpanAfrica is incorporated as a public charity in California

June

• SpanAfrica receives a 501c(3) non-profit designation as a public charity in the United States. All donations are now tax-deductible.

 

2006

January

• The first SpanAfrica volunteers arrive in Kenya.

September

• Founder Rebecca Mitchell is recognized by Glamour Magazine as one of the “Top Ten College Women” for her work with SpanAfrica.
• L’Oreal Paris awards Founder Rebecca Mitchell the Beauty of Giving Award and a $2,000 donation to SPAN.

 

2005

August

• SpanAfrica is born as a partnership between a handful of dynamic grassroots entrepreneurs in Kenya and international volunteers.

September

• SpanAfrica begins working with our first Grassroots Partners.