Africans Unite against Child Abuse (AFRUCA) was established in May 2001 as a platform for advocating for the rights and welfare of African children following the deaths of children like Victoria Climbie, Jude Akapa and Damilola Taylor in the UK. It became a registered Charity in July 2002 and a Company Limited by Guarantee in October 2001 with a Board of Directors appointed to run the organization.
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FRUCA is embedded in and has developed out of African communities in the UK as a response to their realization of the problems African children and parents face and the gaps that exist within the child protection system for African children in the country. The main focus of our work is Prevention and Early Intervention. The 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of The Child and the UK Children’s Acts of 1989 and 2004 provide the foundation for all our work at AFRUCA. We aim to promote the best interests of the child in all our activities. Our stance is that culture and religion should never be a reason to abuse children.
Members, Board of Trustees
- Prospera Tedam - Chair
- Zainab Clarkson - Treasurer
- Eunice Munanie - Secretary
- Kayode Olatuyi
Current Staff
- Debbie Ariyo OBE - Founder and Executive Director
- James Titi - Lartey -Head of Finance and Administration
- Justin Bahunga - Projects Co-ordinator
- Teamirat Seyoum - Regional Programmes Co-ordinator (AFRUCA Centre Manchester)
- Lola Gani-Yusuf - Anti Child Trafficking Officer
- Godelieve Makay - Family Support and Outreach Worker (Newham project)
- Saater Ikpaahindi - PA/Programmes Administrator
- Jean Claude Pierr - Outreach Worker (AFRUCA Centre Manchester)
- Joanna Rich Student on Placement
- Dorcas Gwata Mental Health Adviser (from April 24th 2013)
- Vacant: Community Volunteering Project Officer
- Vacant: Finance Assistant, part time