One of the many things my time has been devoted to here is volunteer work. A few days a week, after classes, I catch a trotro to a near by town called Madina, walk past the mosque, past the graveyard, and up to "Madamfo Paa," which in Twi means my best friend.
Madamfo Paa organization was created to support the education of at-risk youth that, otherwise, would not have the oportunity to attend Primary or secondary school. Many of thees children are also homeless, known as "street kids," or at least they were before Fati and Kwame took them in.
This organisation is also interested in the cutural exchange of both textiles and information between Ghana and the world abroad.
Madamfo Paa was founded by Kwame Dxikpor and Fati Ibrahim who, with the assistence of several exchange students, formally began tutoring and textile production in the summer of 2002.
Popular patchwork quilts known as "Asasa" are created and sold in order to raise the funds to send these children to school. With the devoted support of volunteers and student tutors, Madamfo Paa is sucessfully sustaining a freelance school and non-profit fabric shop.
The organization consists of a small work shop with 4 hand cranked sewing machines, a tiny kitchen, livingroom and bedroom where the two founders and many of their children sleep. I work closly with both Fati and Kwame, who amaze me as human beings. The love, patience, and compassion that theese two show the children is inspirational. And the children...oh, the most beautiful, confadent, and enthusiastic little beings I've come across. I have learned just as much from them as I hope they have learned from me.
Many of you have expressed interest in helping such a cause. The organization and the children need help. Both indeviduals and organizations can help by purchasing quilts, refeering contacts, and donating resources in the form of school supplies, clothing, first aid products and OF COURSE money. Christmass is comming up so anyone who wants an African Quilt...I'm taking orders!
I am fully aware that shipment from the States is expensive but Madamfo Paa is a non-profit NGO and thus has a special shipment plan.
Packages can be sent through the "Empire Shipping Company."
82-84 Vanderpool st. off of Frelinghillysen Ave.
Newark, New Jersey 07114
Phone: (973)645-0044 or Fax: (973)565-0013
I urge anyone who is interested to contact me and then I can refer you to eachother. I know that my mother was thinking of putting up a sign for donations in her office...This can be a group project. No stress!
If you are interested in sending $ I will be posting the costs of the organization soon.
Also, you can contact Madamfo Paa at raspilo@yahoo.com or international code +(024)485-5245.
Thank You for your support!
Love and Light
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