About Us
Who We Are
Building bridges across continents to empower the Afar diaspora through cultural heritage, education, and sustainable development.
Our Mission
The American Afar Diaspora is dedicated to empowering the Afar community, native to the Horn of Africa—specifically Djibouti, Eritrea, and Ethiopia—where there are between 5 to 8 million members.
The Afar are not only a people but also a language and a system of governance, organized by confederation, with the head of territory known as Dardar or Amoyta, equivalent to a Sultan.
We aim to preserve and promote our cultural heritage, advance educational and economic opportunities, and advocate for human rights and social justice. Through active participation in cultural festivals and events, we strive to build a strong, united, and resilient Afar diaspora that contributes positively to our communities and fosters connections across generations and borders.
Our Vision
We envision a thriving and cohesive Afar diaspora rooted in cultural pride and united by our commitment to progress and equality. Our vision is to create a world where Afar people, native to Djibouti, Eritrea, and Ethiopia, and numbering between 5 to 8 million, have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
We aim to ensure that our rich cultural heritage—encompassing our people, language, a unique system of governance, and leadership traditions symbolized by the Dardar or Amoyta—is celebrated, respected, and passed on to future generations.
By actively participating in cultural festivals and global events, we strive to be a leading voice for the Afar people on the global stage, advocating for justice, peace, and sustainable development.
Our Values
Our organization’s values are based on Kindness, transparency, and equity.
Kindness
We believe in treating everyone with compassion, respect, and understanding, fostering a supportive community where all members feel valued.
Transparency
We maintain open communication and honest practices in all our operations, ensuring accountability to our community and stakeholders.
Equity
We champion equal opportunities and fair treatment for all, working to eliminate barriers and create inclusive pathways to success.
Our Impact
Through our dedicated efforts, we have been building a network with other East Africa communities as well as in the US, which permits us to show our culture, history and to help our humanitarian situation back home.
On November 2022, we teamed up with a group from the Afar region of Ethiopia to collaborate on an important project. After months of hard work, we are thrilled to announce that as of June 28th, 2024, we have successfully integrated the Afar language into Google Translate. This achievement marks a significant step forward in making this language more accessible to a wider audience.