Our Africare Roots
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C. Payne Lucas and Dr. Joseph C. Kennedy
C. Payne Lucas and Dr. Joseph C. Kennedy were visionary leaders who championed African development by fostering American–African partnerships and creating pathways for the African Diaspora to thrive in international affairs. The Lucas-Kennedy Foundation carries this legacy forward.
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Africare’s Legacy in Motion:
A Visual Journey
C. Payne Lucas and Dr. Joseph C. Kennedy were two giants in African development, co-founding Africare and shaping a model of American–African partnership that impacted millions of lives. Today, the Lucas-Kennedy Foundation carries their legacy forward, continuing the mission of fostering partnership, solidarity, and shared progress between Africa and the United States.
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Serving Since 1971
Founded in 1971, Africare was a pioneering international development organization dedicated to improving quality of life across Africa. Born in response to the devastating Sahel drought, Africare championed a model of self-help and self-sufficiency, laying the foundation for resilience and progress that continues today.
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The Work of C. Payne Lucas and Joseph C. Kennedy at Africare
In its early days, Africare sought strong technical and executive leadership. To meet this need, C. Payne Lucas—then Director of the Peace Corps Office of Returned Volunteers in Washington and a long-time associate of Niger’s president, was recruited with the support of President Diori and diplomat Oumarou Youssoufou. Joining him was Dr. Joseph C. Kennedy, former Peace Corps Director in Sierra Leone. Together, Lucas became Africare’s Executive Director while Dr. Kennedy served as International Executive Director, laying the foundation for Africare’s lasting impact.
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Development Initiatives
What emerged was a transformative model that blended urgent humanitarian relief with long-term development centered entirely on Africa’s needs and leadership.
Africare's founding principles became its blueprint for impact:
Africare's founding principles became its blueprint for impact:
- Comprehensive Support: Expand beyond health to include agriculture, education, economic development, and crisis response.
- Pan-African Reach: Serve not just Niger, but all African nations in need of support.
- Locally Led: Empower Africans to lead their own development, ensuring solutions were relevant and sustainable.
- Bridge of Trust: Act as a powerful conduit between Africans and Americans, fostering understanding, partnership, and shared progress.
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Rooted in Urgency. Respected for Impact.
With a bold vision and unwavering mission, Africare ignited a global movement to support Africa during its time of greatest need. Rallying support from the U.S. government, civic organizations, and everyday citizens worldwide, the organization delivered life-saving food, water, shelter, and healthcare across the Sahel, helping to save millions of lives and rebuild entire communities.
At home in the United States, Africare quickly earned national respect. It became more than an aid organization, it was a powerful symbol of empowerment, known for “helping Africa help itself.” Africare reshaped how Americans, especially African Americans, viewed the continent, illuminating Africa’s resilience, richness, and rising potential for an entire generation.
At home in the United States, Africare quickly earned national respect. It became more than an aid organization, it was a powerful symbol of empowerment, known for “helping Africa help itself.” Africare reshaped how Americans, especially African Americans, viewed the continent, illuminating Africa’s resilience, richness, and rising potential for an entire generation.
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