Community Outreach: AISEDA Fundraiser Performance

Thursday, April 5, 2007

Saturday night I attended an AISEDA fundraiser. AISEDA is the African Immigrants Social and Economic Development Agency. The organization assists newly arrived African refugees/immigrants by helping with health care, employment, housing, and overcoming linguistic barriers. At the last TRJE meeting I heard the group would be playing at the fundraiser and I wanted to see a public performance since I had only attended their rehearsals. I was also interested in making our ESL classes available to refugees that were being helped by AISEDA.The fundraiser was held downtown at the Chamber of Commerce. I didn’t have much information so I arrived quite a bit early and was able to talk with several other people I’d seen at other refugee functions around town. It was a great networking opportunity. The fundraiser included a dinner of African food prepared by AISEDA members and also a silent auction. Beautiful articles that had been brought over from Africa were lying on tables to be auctioned off. Anyone who was interested in an item would write down their bid and then others would write under that a larger bid. The highest bidder was able to purchase the item. I met FeyFey’s wife, Karen, at the auction tables. She invited me to sit with her and her date for the night, her father, Jerry. I was glad for the company.While we were looking over the items, the TRJE members came in and started setting up their drums and making preparations to dance. They were all dressed in beautiful African style clothing. FeyFey was the emcee and he looked like he was having way too much fun. He introduced everyone with great fanfare. I was really impressed with their performance. The dancers and drummers seamlessly meld together but it all looks so unrehearsed. With the exchange of a glance, the next dancer would move to the middle of the floor and solo dance, then fade back in with the others while another dancer moved out to the center. The audience was drawn into the performance and clapped enthusiastically. After several sets, FeyFey announced that the food was ready and lines began to form along side the tables. The ensemble was not allowed to eat until the guests had been seated with their food. The tables were laden with various rice dishes, chicken, beef, plantains, cassava, and fresh fruit. Needless to say, everyone had more than enough to eat. FeyFey kept up a running commentary while we ate and even called up several youngsters from the audience to try their skills at the drums. One of these new drummers was only two years old! FeyFey made everyone feel welcome and a part of the group. Then he introduced Tony Aduro, the head of AISEDA and several awards were given to other people who had lent their support to AISEDA’s refugees. After the awards were given, the results of the silent auction were announced. I was the highest bidder on a little handmade leather purse. After paying and talking with a few more of the parents, I left.