The Nyanyas of Niagara are expecting a good crowd for their African-inspired dinner at the Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club next Thursday, the highlight of which will be a dynamic guest speaker, Idah Mukuka Nambeya, from the Stephen Lewis Foundation.
The chef at the golf club is preparing African recipes for the dinner, says Cindy Grant, one of the organizers.
In addition, she says, “we have some terrific and unique silent auction items, including some beautiful African-themed handmade art pieces, Shaw tickets, gift certificates to the NOTL golf club, local stores and winery, jewelry, gift certificate to Langdon Hall, tickets to Stratford, and many more.”
Local musician Sawyer Dundas will be performing before and during the dinner, says Grant.
“The most unique factor is having Idah Mukuka Nambeya at the dinner, who will be a great inspiration to everyone,” she adds.
Mukuka Nambeya is a field representative of the Stephen Lewis Foundation in Zambia, and has been travelling across Canada recently visiting groups who support African grandmothers raising their grandchildren orphaned by AIDS. They have stepped up to care for millions of children, and in Canada, more than $33 million has been raised through the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign to help them at the community level, with support that includes food, educational supplies, uniforms, school fees, medical care, housing, bedding counselling, support groups, and more.
Mukuka Nambeya’s job is to travel through Africa assessing potential organizations and projects for funding, and she has some heartbreaking stories to tell.
The Nyanyas (Swahili for grandmother) of Niagara is one of 240 grandmothers and grandothers groups that raises money for the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s grandmothers campaign.
Since the local group was founded in 2007, the Nyanyas have raised more than $100,000, from two major fundraisers held each year and other smaller events.
The African dinner
at the golf club is Thursday, Oct. 24, beginning at 6 p.m.
Tickets are $75, with a cash bar. To purchase tickets, call Linda at 905-327-1354, Terry at 905-468-2438, or email [email protected].
