The d’Zert Club was named by founder Helen McCrary Salahuddin who modeled the organization after a day club for children she had attended in New York with her daughter in the early 80’s.  The New York club served desserts to children who were at the club to have parties celebrating special occasions.   The d’Zert Club was originally a dance and performance venue located in Philadelphia for youth between the ages of 10 and 16.  The youth were served desserts much like the New York club but that practice was eventually dropped when the young people indicated that they preferred to just dance and socialize.  The name however had become so well known in the area we decided to keep it.

The d’Zert Club sponsored many activities including Kwanzaa celebrations, Juneteenth celebrations and an annual gospelfest.   African Genesis Institute is a program sponsored by the d’Zert Club and it is this program that enrolls students and group leaders for the trip to Egypt.

Children have to be between the ages of 7 and 14.   A 6 year old who turns 7 the year of enrollment or a 15 year old who turned 15 the year of enrollment would be eligible to join

Group leaders must be 21 or older at the time of the trip.  There is no age limit as long as the group leader is in good health.  All group leaders are required to submit a medical questionnaire and walk a mile in 20 minutes or less.

All persons enrolled in the program must be of recent African descent.   You may be from anywhere in the Diaspora.

Anyone desiring to participate is qualified to enroll as long as the students and group leaders are African descent and, the student, between the ages of 7 and 14; and the group leader 19 or older.  Group leaders must also have a clean child abuse record.

Yes.  There is a $99 nonrefundable enrollment fee.

No.

Yes.

Students are matched with group leaders by one of the following ways: (a) Existing relationship such as parent, family member, teacher, mentor, neighbor; (b) Same sex – male group leaders have male students and females have female children; and/or (c) Zip Code – placing group leaders in the same physical locale when possible.

Yes.  African Genesis Institute is a weekend organization.  You must be available on weekends to participate in mandatory activities.

Yes.  They are: (1) Enrollment fee; (2) Curriculum; (3)  Field Trips;   (4)Passport; (5) Entry Visa; (6)Tips/gratuities; (7)Transportation to and from John F. Kennedy Airport (city of departure) (8) Bon Voyage Party (9)Graduation Ceremony(10) Child Abuse and Criminal Background Checks (Group Leaders)

We are a “Do For Self” organization which means we are not dependent on government grants. We raise our funds through internal fundraising and contributions from our alumni, black owned companies and organizations and people in the black community who support what we do..

Yes.  You are given a fundraising obligation and fundraising menu at the beginning of each trimester.  How you raise the money is your option.  The program is not designed for you to pay your obligation out of pocket however, if you decide to do so, that is your prerogative. For our purposes, it is still considered fundraising.

The program is divided into trimesters.  The first trimester begins at the time of enrollment until June of that year.  The second begins in January and ends June of the following year.  The third trimester begins in January and ends in June of the year of the trip to Egypt.  You therefore have three fundraising periods, which last from 3 to 6 months.

$795.00

          Yes.

Yes.

The trip to Egypt is August 1st-10th

11 hours.

Students will have plenty of opportunity for birthday celebrations,  a dance party,  swimming, game playing and relaxing during the trip to Egypt.  The field trips in the United States are more intense because they take place in a short period of time but in Egypt there is more time to relax.

No shots are needed for Egypt.