On December 4, 2011 emcee Kristi Mas opened our program with a special acknowledgement of Mrs. Sugiyama who initiated the development of WFWP's schools in Africa 20 years ago. Kristi also recognized Mrs. Alexa Ward, the former WFWP USA President and WFWP International Vice President, also pivotal in the success of our African schools. An introduction to WFWP was then given by WFWP Westchester Chairwoman, Renate Sato. Two beautiful songs were sung by Mrs. Tachinaka in honor of the Japanese missionaries who sacrificed many years with long separation from their families while establishing the schools in poor and remote areas in Africa.

Dinner followed with time for several trips to Charmaine Singer's superb silent auction tables and for greeting and meeting old and new friends. Our first speaker, Mrs. Sandy Banker, one of the top jewelry designers in the country, also mentors girls in Harlem for the Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (GEMS). Sandy's striking stories woke us up to the reality of the horrible plight of young girls caught up in Human Trafficking right here in our backyard in NYC. Girls as young as nine years old are taken from the street and become trapped in a life of abuse in the sex industry. Sandy's organization mentors these young girls, helping them to find a way out of this life, go back to school, and choose positive directions for their lives.

Next Marie Claudine Mukamabano, a talented performer and Rwandan genocide survivor, shared about the millions of Rwandan children orphaned by the violent genocide in her country and the AIDS epidemic affecting much of Africa. As an orphan herself who witnessed the killing of her whole family, Marie Claudine conveyed the terror, hopelessness and destitute circumstances of most orphans. She has dedicated her life to supporting orphans in Rwanda with her organization, Kukio Ndiho, and praised WFWP's accomplishments in providing these children with the precious, life-changing opportunity of education.

Next our main speaker, Mrs. Alexa Ward, touched all our hearts with her deep words of wisdom. Alexa answered the question about what motivates us to care for the well-being of others by explaining that "Parentism" as taught by Mrs. Hak Ja Han Moon, the founder of WFWP, is even a higher motivation than altruism. Parentism is the genuine empathy and understanding that all people are part of our family, and that our consciousness of the value and reality of others compels us to refuse to let others suffer. Alexa reminded us all that we have to love the children around the world the same as we love our own children; only then can we make our world a safer place for all. Her words were not only thought-provoking but clearly opened our hearts to our deepest values, and our desire to help these African children.

Singer Julia Pickard concluded our program with her spine chillingly beautiful performance of the song, "We are the World," accompanied on the piano by her father, Kevin Pickard. The song seemed to top off the inspiring spirit that had been building throughout the evening with each presentation. This final song filled our hearts, pouring over with new and renewed connections, giving us inspiration to improve the lives of children throughout the world, and be part of the change this world needs to truly build peace. This event not only raised funds to promote the education of African youth but also raised our hope and determination as women dedicated to peace and the well-being of others.

Thank you to all who attended and helped to make our benefit a great success.