“It opened my eyes to a world I had never seen. It led me to better understand the many things people of privilege often take for granted, and the many ways others must suffer because they do not have access to basic needs, such as water, sanitation, security, and nutrition”

-Brendon Johnson (A2SA Founder)

Aid to South Africa (A2SA) is an annual fundraiser founded and run by students at West Chester University that raises funds for philanthropic organizations in South Africa. The A2SA event shines a light on the huge disparity in medical, financial, educational and food security issues that face many South African families.

The founders of A2SA, Brendon Johnson, Russell Moll, and Dan Blomquist, were initially just three students going on an international service learning trip to South Africa. When they returned from their first trip to South Africa in 2006, they decided to do something about what they saw by starting the A2SA fundraiser. The first event, at that time called “Aid From Eight,” was arranged for a date in April with the founders hoping for clear skies because of their outside venue. They planned a walking relay, some information tables, a donation drive, and musical performances. The day turned out to be rainy and cold, and everyone huddled under the stadium bleachers to stay dry. The three friends were determined, so the following year they ran the event with the updated name, “Aid to South Africa”. Reflecting back on the name, Brendon expressed some regret, feeling now that the title is somewhat patronizing to the communities being served. However, the new name stuck, and the event has continued annually ever since.

In heartfelt interviews, Russ, Dan, and Brendon reflected on why they developed this ongoing fundraiser. Russ explained:

“[The trip to South Africa] was a big motivator [...] because there was this kid we met at one of the soup kitchen’s [stops] [...] I met him in school the first trip we went, and in 2008 when we went back [...] the kid was out of school because he couldn’t pay for school. And it was so weird, we went down a random street in a different neighborhood to drop off soup to another group and the kid was in the neighborhood. I just saw him and was like ‘Oh my gosh you’re here!’ and he remembered me.”

For Russ, seeing that this child was failed by South Africa’s socio-economic system increased his anger and discontentment. He channeled his frustration about the inequality in South Africa into developing A2SA with his friends.

Dan similarly noted:

“You read about kids impacted by HIV, and how families have been destroyed and how grandparents are raising kids [...] We talked to the grandparents, we talked to the caregivers [...] These grandmothers were guardians. They were teachers. They were police officers for the grandkids [...] In the townships, the crime rate and all that stuff is absolutely absurd depending on what township you live in. And they had to provide in every way they could for these kids knowing that these kids probably weren’t going to be around in ten years, twelve years, six years depending on where they lived.”

The stark reality of living conditions and family dynamics in South Africa left an imprint on the founders’ lives and prompted them to take action to help these communities. Brendon recalled:

“Seeing the extreme poverty hit me [...] it opened my eyes to a world I had never seen. It led me to better understand the many things people of privilege often take for granted, and the many ways others must suffer because they do not have access to basic needs, such as water, sanitation, security, and nutrition. The history of South Africa and the oppression of its people also really came alive by being there – I couldn't have fully understood it without being there. [...] The resilience and the kindness of the South Africans really touched me.”

When people with a shared goal come together, amazing possibilities lie ahead. In this case, it was a common desire for South African livelihood, commitment to lasting change, and lifelong investment that allowed the A2SA fundraiser to flourish.