It all started when a group of Aussies were confronted with a thought: “Will you remember these people?”
That was back in 2006 and now DIAS is celebrating 10 years working with partners in Africa.
“I vividly remember the moment I was challenged to act,” says DIAS Director, Rodney Callanan.
“I was walking down a crowded street in a small town called Bwindi, in Uganda, when I felt a tug on my heart.
“As I walked past beggars lining the road, I realised a life can change with just a few dollars. In Australia, we have so many resources, so I wanted to tap into those resources and make a difference to vulnerable children in Africa.
“When I came back from that trip, I didn’t know how I was going to make a difference – I didn’t have a clue – but I knew I had to do something.”
When Rodney returned to Australia, he reached out to friends with similar passions, and they soon realised they could make a difference if they worked together. And that’s how DIAS started in 2007.
From the beginning, it was never about funding projects in Africa. It’s always been about people.
When the DIAS team met visionary leaders, with a deep passion to transform their communities, they knew they had to help. Since then, it’s been about working with these leaders to see children, their families, and future generations given opportunities they could only now dream of getting.
It’s been a decade of relationships. A decade of hard work. A decade of life-changing moments. And we’re excited about what the next 10 years will bring…
Thanks for your support – DIAS and our partners would not exist without you!