By Tim Rosche | English Language Correspondent
Since the last project update posted May 5, 2010 which was primarily dedicated to Ussoforal’s 10th anniversary celebration in Bissau, Ussoforal’s founder, Sadio Diatta Rosché has left West Africa to begin her summer fund-rising campaign on the west coast of the United States. Before leaving, a “dispedida” (farewell party) was staged, bringing together Ussoforal’s members and families to celebrate the group’s continued success and to wish Sadio luck in her Stateside endeavors.
Departing from Bissau, Sadio, accompanied by a group of Ussoforal’s Guinean-Bissaun children, spent time in Ziguinchor, Senegal to visit Sadio’s family and to spend time with the Ziguinchor-based Ussoforal group in a cultural exchange of dancing and drumming.
Upon arrival in the United States, Sadio began participating in African dance classes and seminars in Washington, DC and Boston, raising funds for Ussoforal through sponsorship donations for individual children as well as through the sale of African cooking that Sadio prepared with her daughter Marie and other relatives, and through the sale of clothing made from African “lappas” – a particular favorite being cloth featuring President Obama’s likeness printed in Tanzania, emblazoned with the words “Hongera Obama” (“Congratulations Obama” in Kiswahili). Seminar participants are also contributing donations of used clothing and school supplies that will be shipped to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau to be distributed among Ussoforal’s children.
Sadio is currently teaching African dance through a Head Start summer school program in Takoma Park, Maryland – bringing African culture and the respect for cultural diversity to elementary school children in the suburban Washington DC area. Though Stateside, Sadio’s dedication to her group in Africa never falters, striving always to help make the children’s dreams come true through her efforts to mobilize resources to support their cause.
Your continued contributions and support are very much appreciated. Rest assured that you have the genuine gratitude of Ussoforal’s children and their families whose lives you have touched.
Stay blessed,
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