Africa Consultants International (ACI) is an American non-profit organization, working in Dakar, Senegal, since 1984. Our mission is to promote cross-cultural understanding, social justice and the health and well being of Africa's people through effective communication and transformational training. For over 15 years ACI has been a key participant in finding effective responses to HIV/AIDS and other major health issues in Africa.

Lillian Baer and Gary Engelberg met in 1965 while training for the Peace Corps. Following their Peace Corps Service, they worked together in Senegal as Peace Corps staff and as consultants focusing on training, communication, health and development. During the 1970s and early ‘80s Gary and Lillian developed a series of communication, training, study abroad and health consultations.

They often spoke about wanting to pull everything together by creating an institution that represented their unique approach to development and cross-cultural training, an approach based on mutual respect and collaboration. The conversation usually started with "Wouldn't it be nice if…?” After almost ten years of musings, they were once again talking about their dream one evening and finally said, “Okay, we either do it or we stop talking about it.” And in 1983 they did it and created Africa Consultants International (ACI). Starting with consultations, trainings and language classes in a little villa in SICAP Baobab, a section of Dakar named for that spectacular tree, Africa Consultants International soon became known locally as the Baobab Center.

From an initial staff of five, ACI has today grown to over forty dedicated Senegalese employees, and local and international consultants. Our staff includes educators, cross-cultural and language instructors, health professionals, field agents, consultants and administrative and support staff. Over the years, as the center grew, Lillian and Gary co-directed ACI and each took responsibility for different components and activities. At the end of 2006, Lillian retired from ACI and today Gary is the Director of the organization and manages the institution with the support of the Senior Staff.

ACI’s culture and language programs, including our Study Abroad Program, help newcomers deepen their understanding of Senegal and other developing nations by improving their language skills and strengthening their cultural competency. We help development organizations and staff increase their effectiveness through strengthened communication skills and cross-cultural understanding. Our Study Abroad program teaches young people from industrialized countries about the socio-economic realities facing residents of non-industrialized countries. Over the years we have worked with over 33 Colleges and Universities to provide a quality academic and cultural experience for students. For more information on our Study Abroad Program, click here. To learn more about our intensive language classes and cross-cultural programs for individuals, NGOs and public and private sector learners, click here.

ACI’s health programs engage individuals, local communities, the media and institutions in the development and implementation of effective, sustainable interventions, with a focus on culturally appropriate responses to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Through training, technical and organizational assistance, information, education and advocacy, we promote a decentralized, multi-sector approach to addressing HIV/AIDS. Our Health Department includes a Doctor of Pharmacy and a health specialist with long community experience both of whom provide technical and administrative coordination for our program. ACI’s five caseworkers provide assistance and training to community-based organizations in the Regions of Dakar, Fatick, Kaffrine, Kaolack, Kolda, Louga, Sedhiou, Thies and Ziguinchor. ACI’s activities are designed to complement government health services and reinforce services provided by community-based organizations and the private sector. In 2001, we began working with associations for People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), to provide support for those affected and facilitate their participation in the response to the epidemic.

Our partners in the field of health include government services, local NGO's and associations and other community-based organizations (e.g. social centers, youth and women's associations), research organizations, international governmental and non-governmental aid organizations, as well as public and private medical professionals, political, religious and private sector leaders, and a variety of communicators including journalists, musicians, actors, filmmakers, and celebrities. For more information on our health programs, click here.