Out of AfriKids - September 2010

Out of AfriKids

September 2010

AfriKids is a Child Rights Organisation working to improve life for Ghana’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged children in a holistic, inclusive and sustainable manner

The women in action, weaving doormats

‘Women’s Week’—special edition!

We are getting into the spirit of the fashion weeks by hosting our own Alternative London Fashion Event on 22nd September. Due to this event having a female dominant audience and interest (sorry gents, but it’s true!) it would only seem fitting to link the show, and front page news, to truly remarkable, capable, talented and independent women; the women from Creative Minds.

Creative Minds was first set up in conjunction with the street mothers of Bolgatanga, when the potential was initially recognised. The blind weavers in Bolgatanga were working hard to sell what they made, but were at a disadvantage with regards to finding their market and capitalising on potential demand. Sadly, when they were unable to sell their work they had to resort to begging.

Above: The children play with one of the women Below: The strap line of the project

Volunteers worked with the street mothers to approach AfriKids with a proposal for a workshop and shop for the blind women. This was approved and put into place (above, left and below left). The women now work successfully together to produce a range of products including doormats, baskets and chairs, even taking corporate orders. Their courage, determination and positive attitudes have determined their financial stability, providing for themselves and their families.

The funds raised from AfriKids’ Alternative London Fashion Event will be directed towards this project and others like it, supporting these women and allowing them to carry on. We have African designers on board for the show amongst others and will be supporting ethical and fair-trade companies wherever possible. Tickets are £70 for groups of five or more and £75 for individuals. For more information on the evening and instructions on how to buy tickets, please click here.

Mama Laadi comes to the UK

One of the most exciting parts of August, and in keeping with our theme of ’Women’s Week’, was our visit from Mama Laadi. Mama Laadi runs a foster home in Bolgatanga for 35 children. In her time she has helped over 150 with her loving, caring nature and she is one of our most well known and adored partners.

Sally MacDonald, a supporter and friend of Mama Laadi, kindly paid for her to come to the UK to visit everyone. Mama Laadi’s stay was completely packed with giving talks, shopping and socialising! She went to Deutsche Bank with several others from AfriKids to talk to staff about their fundraising visit in October. As expected, she totally charmed the room full of 30 people with funny stories, sad stories, uplifting stories and her famous laugh spread through the listeners. She was invaluable to the meeting that day and touched the hearts of Deutsche Bank staff as they embark on their fundraising tasks.

As well as storming the corporate scene, Mama Laadi enjoyed numerous parties and travel expeditions. She visited Sally MacDonald in Aberdeen and travelled all over London, seeing old friends and meeting new ones. One of her highlights of the trip however, was opening the extraordinary number of presents that were brought to her. There was a distinct theme to these gifts, as you can see from the photo below, right!

It was a pleasure and privilege for AfriKids to have Mama Laadi over and show her a good time. The office is no longer the same without her and we all look forward to seeing her again soon.

Out of AfriKids inside stories AfriKids wins the Charity Times Award for Social Enterprise of the Year AfriKids has won the Charity Times Award 2010 for Social Enterprise of the Year. At the awards ceremony in the London Hilton, Dame Mary Marsh described AfriKids as an exceptional organisation whose aim to make AfriKids Ghana independent by 2018 was an inspiration in the sector.

Andy Thornton, Director, was at the ceremony to receive the award for AfriKids, which was presented to him by Ruby Wax—an added bonus to what was already an exciting evening!

The award is great recognition of the drive towards genuine sustainability and particularly the success of the AfriKids Medical Centre. Andy Thornton passed on this recognition to AfriKids Ghana, Thank you from AfriKids UK to all the team in Ghana for your continuing hard work. Please pass this excellent news on to the team but especially everyone a the Medical Centre who are pioneering our sustainable strategy—their achievements are in a very real sense, being watched and appreciated in the UK and beyond.

Star 100 cycles from London to Cambridge Star 100 is a network of both Ghanaian and non-Ghanaian professionals, all coming together with a common interest in Ghana. The members of Star 100 meet up in London and New York to network, develop personal and career skills, learn more about Ghana and most importantly, to create links with and give back to Ghana.

Not only is this an admirable network itself, they have come together for a fundraising activity—cycling from London to Cambridge. A team of nine grouped together to take on this challenge, raising over £1,900 which is a fantastic achievement and the majority was donated to AfriKids. The donation from Star 100, building on their support that started last year, will be used for the construction of new wards and equipment in the Medical Centre. Thank you Star 100!

Akosua Addai, Sarah Akrobettoe, Sena Gbedemah, Zebedee Nii-Naate, William Pieterson, Richard Tandoh, Francis, Kojo and Selina Yeboah

The Big Dreams Trek invite you to join them for a night out...

Many of you will have read in our June Newsletter that a team of 20, including our Director Andy Thornton, are climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in December. They are hoping to raise a combined total of £50,000 for AfriKids. Their fundraising is well under way and Augustina Asare (a member of the Big Dreams Trek Team) has kicked off with the added fundraising activities. What better way to start than a packed out evening of cocktails, comedians, music, casinos, auctions, eating and networking?! It is set to be a fabulous evening and certainly different from any other night out.

Tickets start at £44 for groups of ten, £45 for two or more, £50 for single tickets.

For more information and to buy tickets go to www.tinyurl.com/bigdreamstrek and we hope to see you there!