Fulton Rotary Club sponsor Rwandan program and wine tasting

The Fulton Rotary Club has partnered with local businesses and regional organizations to launch a fund-raising project to provide much needed assistance to children in Rwanda; and Rotarians from throughout the area are welcomed to be a part of the February 1st event.

FULTON, MO—Several Fulton organizations and businesses are working together to raise funds for the Rwanda Community Partnership/Humanity for Children.

A Rwandan program and wine tasting will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, in the banquet room of Sir Winston’s Restaurant, 1205 S. Business 54, Fulton.

University of Missouri graduate students from Rwanda, Valens Hasubizimana and Felix Ndashimye, will speak about their homeland. Also in attendance will be other African graduate students, Luca Nooi Ole Rikoyian of Tanzania and Ransford Kwadjo Daakyehene of Ghana.

Proceeds of the event will benefit the Rwanda Community Partnership/Humanity for Children’s latest project—support for a preschool and adjoining crafters’ studio in Gahurire Village.

“Our good friend, Dieudonne, and his sister started this preschool in an old church because the little kids had nowhere to go during the day while their parents cultivated their fields,” Dr. Bob Hansen of the Rwanda Community Partnership said.  “There are about 40-50 little kids in this school and two ‘almost volunteer’ teachers … they get paid so little.”

Hansen added, “In a small room attached to the church are the women ‘crafters.’  This is a new group and they are now learning some traditional crafts.  Mostly banana leaf crafts and some beautiful tie-dye linens.”

He explained that the goal is to help support the students who can’t afford to attend the preschool by providing some scholarships and uniforms, supplementing the teachers’ wages, and helping the “crafters” develop their skills and purchase more craft supplies, such as thread, scissors, cloth and dyes.

The fundraising event is co-sponsored by the Callaway County Chapter of the Mizzou Alumni Association and the Rotary Club of Fulton, with assistance from the Fulton Sun, Sir Winston’s and Glazer’s Midwest.

Tickets for the event, which includes wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres, are $12 per person and are available at Sir Winston’s and the Fulton Sun. Tickets may also be purchased at the door, but reservations are required by Jan. 28. Call 573-220-1947 or email [email protected].