Small in Number, Very Big in Heart: WFWP Maine Fundraise for Schools of Africa
WFWP Maine held a Schools of Africa (SOA) fundraising event on November 18, 2023 in Cape Elizabeth at a WFWP members house. For the past few months we have been gathering "new" and "gently used'' small-item donations for our "friendly auction." Personally, I find it very exciting, not only because it gives me a chance to slim down things at home but also because I can reach out to friends and family to donate to the auction. Everyone likes to help, especially with goods.
Additionally, through the "friendly auction" we can gift attending guests with things that they like as a thank you for donation to the SOA. During this past meeting, a family received lots of nice items that brought immense joy to their hearts.
The event started with a short introduction to WFWP and the SOA project. We watched a video from a previous fundraising event in Las Vegas where Mrs Hori, WFWP International President was a guest speaker.
This was followed by testimonies and music performances. We were blessed to have among us Dr. Juanita Pierre-Louis, former WFWP US Vice-President who happened to be vacationing in Maine. Dr. Juanita offered a beautiful rendition of "You've Got a Friend."
Afterwards, Patsy Onatah taught us an African song while drumming her djembe. Everyone had a chance to sing and dance along. It was beautiful! This was followed by a sumptuous potluck meal and, as expected, our "Friendly Auction" ranged from crochet/knitting items, to jewelry, kitchen items, paintings and clothes, and everything else between.
We raised $1,040 from the auction to benefit the SOA. Additional donations were made privately by WFWP members who were not able to attend. We ended the meeting with a prayer for all. We are truly blessed to have such an amazing team, though small in number, very big in heart.
The Backstory of WFWP Maine and Sunac Elementary School in Guinea Bissau
We recognize that education is so important, especially when it is coupled with universal values and character education. WFWP Maine chose to support the schools in Guinea Bissau because one of the Maine members, Maria Cushing, visited the Sunac Schools 3-4 times in the past. Maria is from Cape Verde islands but lives in Maine. Cape Verde and Guinea Bissau are close geographically and speak the same language, Portuguese. Maria talked with the directors of both Sunac Elementary School and Sunac High School when she visited the schools in the past.
https://www.wfwp.us/news-articles/2020/4/29/from-maine-to-guinea-bissau-with-love
Maria Cushing and myself are native Portuguese speakers and I have been able to communicate with the school directors as well, via what's app and phone calls. Because of these close connections our WFWP ME chapter "adopted" the Sunac Schools.
Guine Bissau is embattled by political turmoil which affects, among other things, public schooling. If it was not for private schools sponsored by outside donors like the WFWP, fewer children in Guinea Bissau would have the opportunity to attend school.