Providing Alternatives through Dance and Theater

Since June, Ussoforal’s president and founder, Sadio Diatta Rosché, has been in the United States, working primarily through African dance venues to generate funds for Ussoforal’s activities in Senegal and Guinea-Bissau.  Generous benefactors have helped amass a large volume of used but still serviceable clothing that will be shipped via freight container to Dakar next month. Other contributions include sponsorship support to cover Ussoforal’s children’s school fees.

But the bulk of the funding raised has come from Sadio’s hard work preparing and selling African food and juices through a small-scale catering operation, and through the sale of African clothes.  One prime opportunity for this was at the annual 3-day African dance workshop organized by the Kankouran Dance Company in Washington, DC. where Grupo Ussoforal maintained a booth in the vendors’ hall.

Though these efforts have paid off, there is still much to be done.  Back in Africa, mentoring the children and rehearsing the dances continue, as do the adult literacy courses.  But the depressed economies in Senegal and Guinea-Bissau are taking their toll, as is the continued instability in Guinea-Bissau.  Grupo Ussoforal depends on volunteers to support their activities, and when times are hard, the volunteers need to think about making their own ends meet.  So demonstrations of solidarity through your generous support become more and more important.

Our deepest thanks to those who have helped us maintain the momentum and to continue to help make the children’s dream come true.  It is most appreciated.

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