The Grandmothers for Africa South Okanagan and OliveUs Education Initiative Society partnered to hold a hugely successful a Taste of Africa Dinner recently. The response from the South Okanagan was incredible and there are so many to thank.
Special thanks to the members of this wonderful grandmothers group who planned, organized, decorated, set up tables, served food, sold goods, cooked soup, did dishes, solicited auction donations, and worked tirelessly throughout the evening.
Thanks to everyone who volunteered their time and to the Shatford Centre for being great hosts and making the Shatford such a great community facility.
Thanks to our sponsors, the artists who displayed their wonderful African art, the musical entertainment that could have gone forever, and to our many donors for a silent auction that raised more money than we ever expected.
Kudos to Rita Kabongoya and her sister Edna Regehr, two fabulous cooks from Uganda who were responsible for the delicious main course and an amazing dessert.
This Taste of Africa Dinner raised thousands of dollars for the Stephen Lewis Foundation and OliveUs because of the generous Penticton and area citizens that came to enjoy the evening. Over 15 million African orphans have lost their parents to AIDS — an entire generation lost.
Grandmothers have stepped up across the African continent to raise these children. Funds raised in Penticton will greatly assist their work. Congratulations. The Grandmothers for Africa South Okanagan, the Stephen Lewis Foundation and OliveUs are grateful.
Lynn Popoff & Rita Taenzer