Outpouring of Support for WFWP’s Schools in Africa

WFWP  San Francisco Bay Area held its annual Benefit for the Schools of Africa in conjunction with the Sunday Service of the Bay Area Family Church on October 9. Our chapter is very grateful for the support of the Bay Area Family Church and Pastor Thompson who have generously supported the Schools of Africa for more than 20 years. This year the whole Sunday Service was dedicated to the Schools of Africa.

Lunch boxes being prepared for sale to support the Schools of Africa

Myrna Lapres, WFWP SF Bay Area planning committee member, served as the emcee and gave a presentation about the schools. Denneze Nelson, WFWP founding member and former regional chairwoman, gave a very moving sermon sharing some personal stories about the tremendous sacrifices that were made by the Japanese women who started the schools and the great impact they have had. She inspired all of us to want to support the precious work of the schools. In his concluding remarks Pastor Thompson encouraged everyone to give more—to double what they first intended to give.

Homemade desserts made by volunteers were offered to those who made donations of $25 or more and WFWP also prepared delicious lunch boxes that were sold to support the schools. Thanks to the enthusiastic support of the church community this was our most successful benefit yet! We are so grateful to be able to donate $22,400 in all.

We would like to give special recognition to one of our donors in particular. For many years, our wonderful friend Prabha Duneja supported our Schools of Africa events with her help and a large donation from her nonprofit organization, the Geeta Society. Though Prabha passed away some years ago, the Geeta Society still honored her commitment to the Schools of Africa with a generous donation of $5,000.