Benefits for the Schools of Africa

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WFWP Westchester's Ninth Annual Benefit for the Schools of Africa Project Women in Westchester County, New York, gathered for a dinner to promote and raise funds for WFWP's Schools of Africa project. On December 1, 2012, emcee Kristi Mas opened the program to a packed room, acknowledging and thanking Mrs. Motoko Sugiyama for initiating the development of the WFWP's Schools of Africa project 20 years ago. Ms. Mas also recognized Mrs. Alexa Fish Ward, the former WFWP USA president and WFWP International vice president, also pivotal in the success and further progress of WFWP's African schools. Renate Sato, chairwoman of Westchester WFWP, gave an informative introduction to WFWP. The attendees' hearts were warmed by a beautiful song, "I Won't Let You Go," sung by Miss Julia Pickard with the piano accompaniment of her father, Kevin Pickard. Following the introduction, Charmaine Singer presented her tantalizing silent auction tables. After everyone enjoyed a delicious Indian dinner buffet, Ms. Mas presented a pictorial report of the successes of the Schools of Africa project. The photos of happy African children at the WFWP schools moved the hearts of those in attendance with how much the money donated to the schools truly changes the lives of these beautiful children. The main speaker, Mrs. Abayashi Asrat, an Ethiopian national and founder of the Nation to Nation Networking organization, opened our eyes as she described the shocking reality of young girls in Ethiopia suffering not only poverty and the lack of basic needs but also the devastation of human trafficking and the debilitation caused by untreated enterovaginal fistula, a condition in which there is an abnormal connection between the vagina and intestine. Because of the stigma and unpleasantness of this form of fistula, when girls are left untreated they are often abandoned to die in the forest.…

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…

On December 12, 2010 over 50 distinguished guests celebrated the 7th Annual Benefit for the Schools of Africa Project at the Central Seafood Asian Restaurant in Hartsdale, NY. This year, International Representative to the United Nations Mrs. Sugiyama and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative of the Republic of Mozambique Mr. Daniel Antonio were invited to speak on behalf of their country to congratulate WFWP on another successful year of outreach. His Excellency's testimony of his visit to the Sun of Mozambique Secondary School touched many hearts in the audience. Along with a few tender words from His Excellency, several photos and a short video of the school was presented. "The presentation [of] the Schools in Africa was in one word: inspiring," said attendee Kristi Mas in an e-mail reflecting on the Benefit, "The classrooms were packed full with children. In one room, the teacher literally only had a foot between the first row and the chalk board where she could stand. The children quietly shared the books and listened eagerly." His Excellency spoke briefly about the history of Mozambique and emphasized the great works that WFWP International has done in his country. Not only did WFWP build and continues to maintain the Mozambique school, but 80% of the children who graduated from the school continue on to college on WFWP scholarship support. "I sensed appreciation for these schools and the education they provide," Mas added, "The other emotions were of desperation and value. The desperation to have a successful education of any kind is very apparent." In addition to the schools, WFWP also sends medical doctors to his country; he later explained there is only one eye doctor available for one million people. You can imagine how long it would take to get to a doctor there, but with…