SCHOOLS OF AFRICA BENEFIT

Ohio African Dancers at the Schools of Africa Benefit

WFWP board members were "on board" for our amazing benefit for the Schools of Africa that took place on October 5. Event coordinator Ms. Stella Koppoe was on top of every last detail and brought unity and confidence to the staff members. Our secretary, Mrs. Marcia Schlichting, invited the coordinator of the Schools of Africa Program in the U.S. and WFWP USA board member, Minister Fannie Smith, to come and speak at the event. It immediately became obvious to us why she was selected to be the national Schools of Africa Program coordinator. She stepped right in to help in setting up the venue, and gave us encouragement and advice to create an exciting event.

Minister Fannie Smith

Stella arranged for two young people, Mr. Noah Trimble and Ms. Kala Stamm, to welcome the guests at the reception table, and they did an excellent job of making the guests feel right at home. The Silent Auction table was set up tastefully by WFWP board members Ms. Miyuki Fujikake and Ms. Yoshie Moore. And in case we lacked items, we had a backup "Safari Sale" to entice the attendees to come back next year for "bargain hunting" opportunities.

Although Stella made great efforts to get professional dancers to come, those she asked were too strongly rooted in financial gain and just didn't catch the spirit of giving. Fortunately, a WFWP friend and supporter, Ms. Fatou Sarr, offered her children to step in. With only two weeks' preparation time, they certainly came to the rescue in a big way. Stella also found our home-grown professional band, "Soul Monsters," which provided great energy for the event.

Soul Monster Band

Thea Schlichting was an excellent emcee, and was so totally in the spirit that she had Fatou wrap up her long flowing hair in an African wrap. Co-chair Nataliya Grishina gracefully introduced WFWP and the main speaker, Ms. Smith, to the audience. Minister Smith spoke of WFWP as an NGO in General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. She explained that WFWP espouses the UN millennium goals and has built and operates the Schools of Africa in eight African countries. She gave us a little insight through two stories. One story was about one of the Schools of Africa graduates who is now a doctor working from early morning until late at night. More than just moving the listening audience, she gave WFWP members a renewed sense of pride.

Once refreshment time came, everyone was enchanted with the elegant table settings and delicious selections from the loving hands of chef Paula Townsend and some really great assistants, Leanne Kim, Margaret Kim, and Miyo Horiwaki.

All the participants left with smiles and satisfied looks on their faces and some gave donations, "just because." Including a pre-event held in May of this year, WFWP Ohio was able to gross over $4,700 for the Schools of Africa Program. I would say that was a successful event.