Today we’d like to introduce you to Annette Wright.
Hi Annette, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Myself, and a group of friends met to discuss launching an Air Cargo Business to provide service between Michigan and countries in West Africa. We agreed to name the company Alafia Air. Although the plans were lofty the work required to raise capital proved to be very challenging. Over the next two years and after numerous meetings members of the initial group dropped out of the venture. Left to carry forward was myself and one other person.
At this time, I was also a Campaign Aid to the late Honorable Congressman J0hn Conyers. Congressman Conyers had great affection and was a compassionate supporter of the people of Haiti. When the earthquake of 2010 struck Haiti, I was watching the news coverage and saw a newborn baby who had lost both legs in the disaster. I decided that day to do whatever I could to help the people of Haiti. I had an extensive list of contacts within the General Aviation Community so I began sending emails to all of those contacts. I requested and sought donations of Aircraft, Pilots, Fuel and all sorts of In-kind donations. I communicated my efforts to Congressman Conyers and soon thereafter a Congressional Delegation was flown to Haiti on an Aircraft secured by Alafia Airlines – which soon became Alafia Foundation of Hope International.
I was honored to receive a Congressional Commendation and the Spirit of Detroit Award as a result of our work in Haiti.
Since that time, Alafia Foundation has facilitated the donation and transport of in-kind donations to other national and international disasters, including the Fukashima Nuclear Disaster in Japan, Hurricane Sandy and numerous tornado and flood relief efforts here at home in Michigan and around the country.
Today, Alafia Foundation has an intense focus on Environmental Justice and Advocacy. We also bring awareness, via education and printed material around the issue of Human Trafficking. We continue to advocate for Disaster Preparedness nationwide.
We are a very small, family-funded Foundation. As such, we do not solicit nor accept cash donations from any source.
In other words, I finance the Foundation :-).
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been an intense and interesting journey. Our small size has both advantages and disadvantages. An advantage would include being able to speak personally with many people who are directly in need of assistance and hearing their stories. Sometimes, just providing a listening ear helps people in times of disasters. If we can’t help we usually can find someone who can help. The disadvantage is sometimes we are overlooked as being a source of real assistance. Many people were surprised that Alafia facilitated that aircraft for that United States Congressional Delegation to travel to and from Haiti.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
There is nothing really special about me or my daughter. She helps me tremendously and is a Board member of Alafia. Like most people, we are moved to help people in need and do so when and if we can. I just call it being human. Our Board of Directors is made up of myself, my daughter, Raven and Mr.
Frank Gregory. Mr. Gregory is a retired Air Force Fighter Pilot and his continued expertise and support of Alafia Foundation’s goals and objectives are so greatly appreciated.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
People are all the same. The differences that are noticeable from outside appearances pale in comparison to what is inside of all of us. Everyone wants to feel safe, loved, cared for, respected and everyone wants to live with a sense of integrity and purpose. People are all the same.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://alafiafoundation.org
- Instagram: alafiafoundation
- Facebook: AlafiaFoundation
- Twitter: AlafiaFoundation
- Youtube: AlafiaFoundation
