AFRICA
A Decade of Hope: How One Chicago Nonprofit Is Transforming Lives in Africa
In the heart of Chicago, a vision born of compassion has blossomed into a beacon of hope for countless lives across Africa. Help the Needy Inc. celebrates a remarkable milestone this year – a decade of unwavering commitment to uplifting communities in need. From its humble beginnings in 2015 to its impactful presence today, this organization has demonstrated that dedicated hearts can indeed change the world.
A Legacy of Compassion
Founded by Stephanie Bailo on November 25, 2015, Help the Needy Inc. emerged from a profound desire to give back to communities in Côte d’Ivoire and beyond. Born in Ivory Coast herself, Bailo carried the struggles of her homeland in her heart as she built a new life in Chicago. Her business education from Loyola University of Chicago, combined with extensive experience working with nonprofits like Misericordia and Habilitative Systems Inc., provided the foundation for what would become a transformative organization.
“When I left Côte d’Ivoire as a teenager, I made a promise to myself that I would one day find a way to help the communities I grew up in,” shares Bailo, whose pursuit of a nursing degree further reflects her dedication to caring for others. “Help the Needy Inc. is the fulfillment of that promise – a bridge between the opportunities I found in America and the needs that persist in developing African nations.”

Ten Years of Transformation
What began as targeted assistance to orphanages in Ivory Coast has expanded into comprehensive programs addressing healthcare, education, and economic empowerment across multiple African communities. Over the past decade, Help the Needy Inc. has:
- Provided essential medical supplies to over 20 healthcare facilities
- Sponsored education for hundreds of out-of-school girls
- Established sustainable support systems for widows and homeless individuals
- Created rehabilitation programs for vulnerable populations
- Launched the “Women Rising” initiative that has empowered over 300 women entrepreneurs
The organization’s tax-exempt status has enabled efficient channeling of resources directly to those in need, while partnerships with local leaders ensure culturally appropriate and sustainable solutions.
Women Rising: A Flagship for the Future
As Help the Needy Inc. looks toward its next decade, the Women Rising program stands as a testament to the organization’s evolving approach to creating lasting change. This comprehensive initiative tackles gender inequality through education, economic opportunity, and advocacy.
“We’ve learned that when you empower a woman, you empower a family, and ultimately a community,” explains Bailo. “By 2026, we aim to support 500 women in achieving economic stability and becoming community leaders.”
The program’s holistic approach includes STEM education for girls, microfinancing for women entrepreneurs, and workshops on health and legal rights. By engaging men and boys as allies and collaborating with government agencies, Help the Needy Inc. is addressing both immediate needs and systemic barriers.

The Path Forward
As Help the Needy Inc. celebrates its 10th anniversary, Bailo and her team are not just reflecting on past accomplishments but setting ambitious goals for the future.
“Our vision remains the same – a world where every individual has the opportunity to thrive regardless of their circumstances,” says Bailo. “But our methods continue to evolve as we learn and grow.”
The organization is expanding its digital presence to broaden its donor base and implementing more rigorous impact assessment tools. Plans for the coming years include expanding healthcare initiatives, establishing more permanent educational facilities, and scaling successful economic empowerment models.
How You Can Join the Journey
This milestone anniversary presents the perfect opportunity for new supporters to join Help the Needy Inc.’s mission. Whether through financial contributions, volunteering expertise, or simply spreading awareness, everyone has something to offer.
To celebrate a decade of impact, Help the Needy Inc. is launching its “Decade of Hope” campaign, featuring:
- A commemorative gala in Chicago on November 25, 2025
- A matching gift challenge from key donors
- Virtual tours of projects in Ivory Coast
- Opportunities to sponsor specific initiatives
“What makes our work possible is the community of supporters who share our belief in human dignity and potential,” says Bailo. “As we mark ten years, we invite everyone to become part of our story for the next decade and beyond.”
For more information on how to support Help the Needy Inc., visit their website or contact their Chicago headquarters directly.
Help the Needy Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Chicago, Illinois, dedicated to uplifting communities in Ivory Coast and other developing African nations through healthcare, education, and empowerment programs.
AFRICA
Cameroon’s Election: Biya’s Eighth Term Fuels Protests and Widens Divide
YAOUNDÉ, CAMEROON — At 92, President Paul Biya has won Cameroon’s latest presidential election, extending his 43-year grip on power. Representing the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), Biya secured 53.66% of the vote, according to the Constitutional Council, while his main rival, Issa Tchiroma Bakary—a former ally now turned critic—trailed with 35.19%.
Protests Erupt Amid Claims of Fraud
The announcement has sparked outrage instead of celebration. Opposition leaders and activists have dismissed the results, accusing the government of rigging the vote. Tchiroma Bakary, who declared himself the winner before the official tally, called the election a “sham” and rallied his supporters to protest.
In cities like Douala, anger has spilled into the streets. Clashes between protesters and security forces have led to injuries and arrests, with young Cameroonians, fed up with decades under the same ruler, chanting for change and demanding their voices be heard.
A Nation Divided
Biya’s latest victory means more of the same for Cameroon—a government that promises stability but struggles with corruption, sluggish economic growth despite rich resources, and a lingering conflict in the Anglophone regions. With over 70% of Cameroonians under 35, many feel disconnected from a leadership that seems out of touch. Young people are increasingly vocal, pushing for a new generation to take the helm.
The world is watching. While some foreign leaders may send congratulations, Cameroon’s handling of the election and the unrest that follows will shape its ties with global partners and donors.
For Cameroon’s youth, another seven years of Biya feels like a rerun of a story they’re tired of living. The big question now is whether the government can find a way to connect with a generation demanding a say in their country’s future.
Afroradar.com will keep tracking the situation, bringing you updates and insights on Cameroon’s shifting political scene.
AFRICA
Ghana in Mourning After Deadly Helicopter Crash Wipes Out Top Officials
Ghana is still struggling to come to terms with a tragic military helicopter crash which killed eight people, including two government ministers and other top officials, on the morning of August 6, 2025.
The downed Ghanaian Air Force helicopter belonged to the Z-9 model and took off again from Accra en route to Obuasi at 09:12am but crashed after departure. They immediately began search efforts when the aircraft did not respond to radio contact. The helicopter was later reported to have crashed into a tree in the Adansi Akrofuom District of Ashanti Region, where it caught fire and burnt beyond recognition.
The crash killed Defense Minister Edward Omane Boamah, Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed, National Democratic Congress Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong and former Parliamentary Candidate Samuel Aboagye as well as Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Twum Ampadu and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah who were members of the crew.
National tragedy, Chief of Staff Julius Debrah declared during a press conference in the capital As the country mourns, flags are being flown at half mast on all government buildings as ordered by the government.
Rescue crews were on scene by 4 a.m., but by then the fire was so intense that little remained of the wreckage. It is not yet clear what prompted the crash — they are examining whether it could have been a technical fault or adverse weather conditions. The occurrence harks back to a military helicopter that crash-landed inside the Western Region in March 2024, but no one was injured in that accident.
The crash happened as Dr. Frank Amoakohene, the Minister for the Ashanti Region, was addressing an anti-galamsey event in Obuasi He rushed away to assist in coordinating the emergency response at the scene.
The government has vowed to provide support for the families of victims amid a wide probe to determine what led to the tragedy. At the moment, Ghana now awaits details of what might have caused such a tragic loss of lives.
AFRICA
Fuel Price Protests Turn Violent in Angola’s Capital
Angolans Protesting High Fuel Prices in Capital Destroy Property in Marches Demonstrations in the streets of Luanda turned violent, and the police shot live bullets and tear gas.
Luanda, Angola — A peaceful strike by transport workers turned violent on Monday when the protesters took to the streets here to denounce a government measure to increase the price of fuel to 400 kwanzas a liter from about 300 kwanzas. The unrest has left businesses vandalized, residents shaken and questions swirling over the financial future of Angola.
The evening also brought burning tires and shattered storefronts along Broadway from 3rd to 7th. Two athletic sneaker stores and a T-Mobile store fared the worst — their windows smashed and their booty scattered. Video clips that made the rounds on social media showed protesters yanking buses to a halt and forcing them to discharge their passengers, and confronting drivers who were reluctant to join the three-day strike.
“The people are starving, and the government is killing us,” said Adilson Manuel, who is the spokesman for the social movement against the fuel hike. His comments echoed the frustration of many Angolans, who see the price jump as the latest blow to households already struggling with unemployment and an uptick in prices.
July 4, Angola’s government lifted fuel subsidies as part of an ongoing plan to reduce spending to comply with International Monetary Fund conditions under an economy support loan program to the heavily indebted African nation. It’s a paradox not lost on demonstrators: Despite its status as one of the world’s top oil-producing countries, Angola has to import most of its refined fuel because it lacks sufficient domestic refining capacity.
The figures and statistics paint a harsh picture for everyday Angolans. They increased taxi fares to 300 kwanzas a ride and a public bus ride in the city now costs 200 kwanzas. “It’s intolerable that the government is always trying to make our lives more difficult,” said one street vendor, Custodia dos Santos.
The police response was swift and brutal. The riot police and gendarmes used tear gas, batons and rubber bullets to push back protesters in a demonstration on 12 July, in which nine people were injured and 17 others arrested. One protester remains in custody, charged with the incitement of violence. Police claimed the protesters were going beyond agreed-upon routes — a charge organizers vehemently deny.
The crackdown reflects broader tensions within Angola, where the ruling MPLA party has held power for five decades. The signing into law of a contentious piece of legislation by President João Lourenço in August 2024 that imposes prison sentences of up to 25 years for damage caused during protests, has come in for heavy criticism from human rights groups accusing it of being designed to suffocate opposition.
The police violence against protesters in Angola is stomach-churning,” said Khanyo Farisè of Amnesty International, which found a pattern across 11 protests from 2020 to 2025 that left a minimum of 17 dead, with no officer held responsible.
The government has accused the opposition of fomenting the protests ahead of the election that will see multimillionaires in 2027, particularly UNITA. UNITA shot back, condemning the “autocratic attitude” of the police and heavy-handedness.
Defying even as the strike drags on.” Activist Laura Macedo has called for a stay-at-home strike, and organisers are working on a petition to the president, João Lourenço, and finance minister, Vera Daves, demanding Abreu’s decision is reversed.
The unrest has exposed a growing chasm between the rulers of Angola and a public that increasingly feels sidelined by policies prioritizing fiscal rectitude over social justice. We are facing hunger, the whole country is facing hunger, but our president is paying no attention at all.
With violence escalating and negotiations stalled, Angola hangs on the precipice of something. Here is the question now: Will leadership hear the voices of the streets, or will it seek to double down on a course that can only deepen the estrangement of the people from the people who govern them?
- Track the rest of this unfolding story (if that’s what it is) on Afroradar. com. *
Afroradar. com condemns violence of any kind, and not withstanding the newsworthiness of the circumstances surrounding the public protests, does not condone the use of vandalism and property destruction. We call for peaceful dialogue and an end to violence through credible, inclusive leadership, and we continue to demand accountability consistent with the will of the Malian people.
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