WFWP MAKING A DIFFERENCE
On Sunday June 4th, a lovely June afternoon, the Hackensack Satellite Chapter of WFWP in New Jersey met to more fully understand the mission and history of the United Nations and WFWP's responsibilities as an NGO in General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations.
To begin, Mrs. Cynthia Nakai, City Chairwoman for Hackensack, explained the origin and meaning of the United Nations Flag. The flag was established in December 1946. It was designated to be light blue, the color of peace; as opposed to red, the color of war. The map on the flag is a flat projection of the world, with no one country given more prominence over another. Two wreaths of peace surround the map, further emphasizing the mission of peace the founding nations envisioned for the newly-established United Nations.
Rev. Denneze Nelson, WFWP New Jersey Chairwoman, shared the work of NGO's and the sustainable goals each is striving for. Rev. Nelson also shared information from the WFWPI website regarding WFWP's contribution to the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals), and SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). This explanation helped us all understand WFWP’s role and goals as an NGO in General Consultative Status with ECOSOC. ECOSOC is one of six principal organs established by the United Nations charter of 1945. To learn more about ECOSOC, here is the page on the United Nations website that gives a good explanation -- http://csonet.org/?menu=123.
It was a real treat to then listen to Mr. George Tegha who shared the work with WFWP that he and his wife have recently been doing in Ghana. Mr. Tegha explained that he solicited and benefited from the support of WFWP Ghana for grassroots based activities for water purification and mosquitoes prevention using all natural resources. They saw the need for economic development, especially in Amanfrom, Ghana. George and Josefa donated $300 worth of fiber-grass seeds to the towns of Amanfrom, Apese and Ayeyah. Fiber-grass is a medicinal herb that helps heal people with malaria and typhoid, plus it helps repel mosquitoes.
The plan is for the local people to grow the seeds into plants and then George and Josefa will buy them back and sell to mosquito repellant companies and medicinal companies, thus helping the economy of the local villages.They also worked together to strengthen local families and encouraged couples to take time to rededicate their marriages to God, each other, and a higher purpose at a Marriage Blessing Celebration with Family Federation for World Peace. They have every intention of going back to Ghana and continuing their work there.
After those educational explanations of the work of NGOs, and then the inspiring testimonies of substantial work being done by WFWP in Ghana; the floor was open for anyone to share. Along with our discussion and sharing, we relaxed with coloring books and colored pencils that depicted scenes appropriate for a more mature audience. This is, apparently, the new popular form of stress release! As far as I could see, it worked well!
To top it off, those who came to the meeting brought donations of new toiletry items that are being collected for the women at the Bergen County Homeless Shelter. Hackensack WFWP is moving ahead with monthly meetings not just for inspiration, but also for substantial action. We are determined to put the mission and goals of WFWP into practice in our local community. Thank you WFWP for giving us a way to help create a better world of peace right in our own backyards.
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