| African Reflections Foundation 2009 Wells for Life Gala |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Event Name: African Reflections Foundation 2009 Wells for Life Gala African Reflections Foundation is preparing to host its Second "Wells for Life" Gala, which will take place on Saturday, June 6, 2009 from 6PM to 10PM at the Empire State Convention Center. The African Reflections Foundation (ARF) is a 501-c3 nonprofit organization whose purpose is to raise awareness and funds to help improve the quality of life for people in rural Africa, specifically Tanzania. This event will host several local and overseas dignitaries, with The Honorable Wanda F. Willingham, Albany County Legislator serving as keynote speaker. Arriving from Tanzania for this event will be Mr. Henry O. Clemens, of the Office of the Prime Minister/District Commissioner for the Mkuranga District Coast Region and Dr. Mwele Malecela PhD and Chairwoman of the Foundation’s sister organization in Tanzania. ARF is an all volunteer organization and all fundraising proceeds go toward projects pertaining to clean water, education, healthcare and women empowerment. Through generous donors within the Capital Region and beyond the Foundation has been able to build over forty wells in their four years of existence. Over the past year, ARF has been joined by a very dedicated group of volunteers, who call themselves Team Rafiki - "rafiki" is Swahili for "friend". Jointly, they have made two humanitarian trips to Tanzania in 2008, where they constructed a building which serves as a medical clinic, sewing room, and a nursery school that enables mothers to have childcare while they work. In 2008, this partnership resulted in over $500,000 in funds raised from Capital Region donors being shipped to Tanzania in a 40ft container. Team Rafiki & ARF will return to Africa this August for another mission and they have already risen over $600,000 in donations for this year’s effort having recently shipped another 40ft container full of donated items in advance of their arrival. Come out on Saturday, June 6th at 6pm in Room 6 of the Empire State Convention Center and enjoy an evening of celebration with hors d'oeuvres, cash bar, live music and dance (performance and social), a silent auction, fashion show and a special raffle of a 10 day air and accommodations trip to Africa. There will be a viewing of video footage from recent humanitarian trips to Tanzania, as well as live traditional dance and drum by Kuumba headed by Elena Mosely. Learn more about how you can and support their work by purchasing a ticket to attend the gala at $50.00 per person. You can also donate online at www.africanreflectionsfoundation.org. |
