Mother Africa has been part of South King County for over 20 years, having been founded by Risho Sapano in 2004.
Conceived as an “investment” in the voices of African women throughout the Puget Sound area, Mother Africa is based in Kent and works to “improve access to health, education, safety and independence” within the African, immigrant and refugee community and allow women and their families to reach their highest potential.
“I observed that while mainstream organizations offered valuable services, their support for our communities was incomplete,” said Sapano, who moved to the United States from Sudan. “There was a noticeable gap in addressing the diverse needs including languages and culture as well as there was no representation of our communities in leadership roles”
Mother Safari offers several different programs, which includes Flourishing Under Five, Youth Program, Refugee Youth Mentorship, Economic Empowerment, Resilient Elders, Environmental Justice and SAFARI.
SAFARI, also known as Building Sustainable Alliances For African Refugee and Immigrants, is the organization’s general management and referrals program. As resources become available, SAFARI works to connect them to the county’s African communities in Auburn, Federal Way, Kent, Renton and Tukwila. These can include rent and utility assistance, food, shelters, childcare, legal services and healthcare. Sapano says that Mother Africa serves more than 1,000 families a year.
According to the 2020 census, 25.1% of the population of King County are categorized as “foreign-born persons” and the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) says that more than 30,000 refugees have re-settled in the state over the last decade, originating from over 70 different countries.
An interactive map on the Mother Africa website shows the more than 20 different African and Middle Eastern countries where community members come from, like Somalia, Nigeria, Uganda, Eswatini, Ghana, Jordan, Syria and more. Sapano says that she wants to make sure people understand the diversity within the immigrant community in King County.
“At Mother Africa, we embrace the vastness and diversity of the African continent by ensuring our work reflects the community we serve. This is evident in our hiring practices, program development, and our commitment to centering community voices,” said Sapano. “We provide services in multiple languages, including Arabic, French, Swahili, Amharic, Tigrinya, Somali and Mai-Mai (for the Somali, Bantu), and also Dari and Pashto to support refugees from Afghanistan who access our services.”
In an April newsletter from the Renton Regional Community Foundation, Sapano talks about how far Mother Africa has come in 21 years and about the organization’s goals and strategic aims.
“In the face of rising budget cuts and shifting government priorities, the communities we serve face mounting challenges. Still, we remain steadfast. We are not here to simply survive, we are here to thrive,” said Sapano in the newsletter.
For Mother Africa’s future, thriving includes the following goals:
Advance Health and Well-being
We address the social factors that impact health—like housing, maternal health, mental wellness, and the environment—because these issues don’t exist in isolation.
Break the Cycle of Poverty
We equip families with tools to reach financial independence through digital and financial literacy, small business support, and employment readiness.
Foster a Resilient Community
We nurture connections between youth and elders, celebrate our rich cultural heritage, and offer practical support to families in crisis or transition.
Protect the Environment
Our advocacy helps raise awareness around environmental justice and sustainability—because protecting our planet is a community responsibility.
Grow Organizational Capacity
To meet growing needs, we continue building sustainable models, diversify our funding sources, and share our successes with partners across the nation.
To learn more about Mother Africa and how to donate, visit motherafrica.org. To keep up with Mother Africa’s programs, visit facebook.com/motherafrica.wa. For more information, call 253-277-7625.
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