AGAPES™: A Global Pan-African and Philanthropic Emergency System
Join Us to Support All Ukrainian Refugees
The Women Invested to Save Earth Fund (WISE), a global diaspora innovation funder and social justice advocacy enterprise, has been horrified to learn of the atrocities emerging from Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine. We stand in absolute solidarity with all Ukrainian people in this tragedy.
Every human being deserves equal access to evacuation and other emergency services in a disaster. Unfortunately, war brings out the best and worst in all people. There are confirmed reports that Ukraine’s foreign students, particularly Black and other students of color, are being denied evacuation and humanitarian services in far too many cases. We can no longer just listen to the desperate pleas of students and other innocent civilians caught in this war.
So, as an inclusive Black Diaspora-founded human rights and equity organization, we are launching the first, beta phase of our new emergency services network and tech application, AGAPES™: A Global Pan-African and Philanthropic Emergency System.
You can preview the services directory app at bit.ly/WISEAGAPES.
Rooted in ancient, Pan-African traditions of giving and universal human rights, AGAPES is designed to advance inclusive humanitarian aid services for people of color and everyone caught in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
AGAPES has four key components:
- a pre-vetted network of inclusive, direct on-the-ground providers to coordinate and enhance inclusive Eastern European relief services;
- a user-friendly searchable provider directory app that enables refugees to anonymously identify and rate relief services; and
- a funding program whereby WISE, a US-based 501(c)(3) public charity, will re-grant individual donations from community, diaspora, and other donors wanting to support AGAPES NGO providers’ that sign our Inclusive Humanitarian Services Pledge to support refugees of all backgrounds, especially the most disadvantaged, including people of color, immigrants, women with children under age 18, pregnant women, the infirm or elderly, and those with chronic diseases requiring daily medication.
- a confidential human rights reporting function, allowing users to send WISE a private message reporting abuses for investigation by proper authorities.
This is just the beginning. A more comprehensive AGAPES app is in discussion for rollout for Ukraine as soon as possible, depending on resource availability, provider, and advisor feedback. And we will soon convene an AGAPES leadership advisory committee, briefing, and feedback session for providers, Diaspora and community-based donors, institutional funders, advocates, and policymakers. Our ultimate dream is an AGAPES network that can be activated whenever there is geopolitical or natural disaster in Africa, the global Black and other Diasporas, as well as worldwide.
Peace is the best solution for those directly impacted by this conflict. But in the meantime, let’s unify to do all we can and provide the people of Ukraine, including Black and other people of color, equal access to emergency and evacuation services. Please give and join WISE’s AGAPES movement, as we show the world how to be truly compassionate, inclusive, and impactful even in a disaster.
Give online at bit.ly/WISEgive
Join us by funding AGAPES. Except for credit card fees charged by our online gift processor and international bank wire transfer fees, all net WISE-AGAPES individual and community-based (e.g. giving circles and mutual aid associations) donations will fund our providers’ direct emergency and essential services to Russian-Ukranian War refugees. We are seeking foundation grants to cover WISE’s costs for AGAPES program development and management. Please write “AGAPES” in the memo line of your online, check, or ACH bank transfer donation. Online or electronic payment is preferred. Please contact us for bank transfer information.
Mail all checks to:
The Women Invested to Save Earth Fund
c/o 2700 S. Woodlands Blvd., Suite 300-200
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Learn more about The WISE Fund and how you can join AGAPES our family of initiatives at www.thewisefund.org. For questions, email WISE.AGAPES@gmail.com. WISE is a US-based 501(c)(3) public charity. All US-based donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law and your tax situation.
Connect with Us:
Email: programs@thewisefund.org
Mailing Address:
2700 Woodlands Village Drive
Unit 300-Box 200
Flagstaff, AZ 86001