On November 12, 2008, AAII‘s President, Shaykh Tidiane Ali Cisse, received the President of the Republic of Senegal, His Excellency Abdoulaye Wade, in his home in Medina-Baye Kaolack.  President Wade presented his personal condolences and those of the nation of Senegal to Shaykh Tidiane Ali Cisse for the loss of his brother,  AAII‘s Founder, Shaykh Hassan Ali Cisse, in August of this year, and of his brother Seydina Oumar Cisse shortly thereafter.

In expressing his condolences and friendship, President Wade said that although he had dispatched high level representatives to convey his deep sympathy to Shaykh Tidiani Ali Cisse for these profound losses,  he wished to present his sentiments personally.

President Wade offered his congratulations and best wishes to Shaykh Tidiane Ali Cisse in recognition of his selection as the Chief Imam of the Grand Mosque of Medina, and President of AAII.  The  Senegalese President acknowledged the many ways in which AAII contributes to the health and well being of the people of Senegal through  its medicine distribution program and other health initiatives, to include immunization, promotion of breastfeeding, and the provision of access to care in rural areas.

AAII‘s President expressed his appreciation to President Wade for his gracious visit and reiterated AAII’s commitment to work toward universal education, access to health care, empowerment of women, protection of  children, alleviation of hunger and poverty and promotion of peace.

The cordial meeting concluded with the President of AAII and the President of the Republic of Senegal pledging their continued cooperation on behalf of the people of Senegal.

AAII has entered into a strategic partnership with Children’s Chance, a U.S. humanitarian  organization devoted to bringing children  in developing nations with severe illnesses or deformities  to the United States for medical treatment .

Through the tireless efforts of its  Director, Mrs. Dorita Urrata,  an extensive network of committed hospitals and a multidisciplinary cadre of physicians, Children’s Chance arranges for  free medical care for children of the global South that would not be available in their home countries.

In partnering with AAII,  Children’s Chance is opening an opportunity for Senegalese children to be treated for life threatening illness and debilitating conditions through an established process of referral .  AAII’s role is to raise funds to support the travel and living expenses of each child and an accompanying parent and to help with the coordination of their living accommodations.

To meet this challenge, AAII has named AbdulMalik Negedu ” Director of Inter-Organizational Relations.”  His primary responsibilities are to serve as a liaison between AAII and Children’s Chance and to develop and implement fundraising presentations to charitable organizations to support  a shared commitment to bringing sick children to the U.S. for medical care.

AAII‘s strategic partnership with Children’s Chance reflects the vision of AAII’s Founder for collaboration between Americans and Africans for the benefit of those most in need. This collaborative endeavor  is unique among AAII’s initiatives in that its implementation occurs in the United States for the benefit of African children.