A fundraiser occurring at the Best Western Cumberland Hotel in Harrow raised money for Medecins Sans Frontieres UK (MSF) and shared first hand stories of the challenges Ebola poses for relief efforts.
Guest of honour Stephen Rowden, an MSF volunteer who led a team charged with sanitation and removing corpses, gave an emotional account of the difficult work he undertook in Liberia.
However, the sadness was tempered with the positive news that some people who come to the clinic with Ebola recover and are discharged.
Among the attendees were Sierra Leoneans and Liberians, who thanked Rowden and MSF for the work they’re doing in their countries. Rowden gave Liberian Bendu Seigeh a hug, which is becoming a rare gesture in Ebola-hit areas, whilst Sierra Leonean Eku McGred donated a framed copy of his poem ‘African Child’.
Other guests included past Mayor of Harrow Ms Nana Asante, editor of the-latest.com Marc Wadsworth, former police officer Dr Leroy Logan MBE and his wife Gretl, Sierra Leonean Brent Cllr James Allie, President of the University of the Arts London African Caribbean Society Kaimo Lutterodt, and founder of Mission Dine Club Dame Betty Asafu-Adjaye.
Over two thousand pounds was raised towards the purchase of protective kits for frontline workers, with the help of Dr Logan, who conducted the auction.
Event organiser and former Harrow Mayoress Awula Serwah said: “We are pleased that the fundraiser was successful. Africans and African led-organisations on the continent and in the Diaspora are doing their bit to help fight the Ebola outbreak.
“For example, Nigeria has sent health professionals to Ebola-hit countries, and African business leaders meeting in Ethiopia pledged $28.5m to help the African Union mobilise, train and deploy healthcare workers. We chose to fundraise for MSF because the charity is doing a great job, and MSF was one of the first organisations to offer support on the ground.
“BTWSC and African Histories Revisited are grateful to all those who attended the fundraiser, donated raffle and auction prizes, and sent donations.
In spite of his emotional time, Rowden added: “It was a wonderful, relaxed occasion and I very much enjoyed my time.
“Please pass on my thanks to all who attended, for their warm and friendly welcome, the interest in the work of MSF, the funds raised and messages of support. It was most humbling. In one aspect, it was like being on a mission - though our time together was relatively short I feel I have made many new friends.”
Ama Butler
BTWSC
btwsc@hotmail.com
The event which took place on on Saturday Dec. 6 2014 at Best Western Cukmberland Hotel, raised over £2000 towards purchasing protective kits for frontline health workers in Ebola-hit countries in West Africa.
Guest of honour Stephen Rowden, an MSF volunteer who led a team charged with sanitation and removing corpses, gave an emotional account of the difficult work he undertook in Liberia.
However, the sadness was tempered with the positive news that some people who come to the clinic with Ebola recover and are discharged.
Among the attendees were Sierra Leoneans and Liberians, who thanked Rowden and MSF for the work they’re doing in their countries. Rowden gave Liberian Bendu Seigeh a hug, which is becoming a rare gesture in Ebola-hit areas, whilst Sierra Leonean Eku McGred donated a framed copy of his poem ‘African Child’.
Other guests included past Mayor of Harrow Ms Nana Asante, editor of the-latest.com Marc Wadsworth, former police officer Dr Leroy Logan MBE and his wife Gretl, Sierra Leonean Brent Cllr James Allie, President of the University of the Arts London African Caribbean Society Kaimo Lutterodt, and founder of Mission Dine Club Dame Betty Asafu-Adjaye.
Nana Asante and Stephen Rowden (Photo: Des Chisholm)
A Mission
Over two thousand pounds was raised towards the purchase of protective kits for frontline workers, with the help of Dr Logan, who conducted the auction. Event organiser and former Harrow Mayoress Awula Serwah said: “We are pleased that the fundraiser was successful. Africans and African led-organisations on the continent and in the Diaspora are doing their bit to help fight the Ebola outbreak.
“For example, Nigeria has sent health professionals to Ebola-hit countries, and African business leaders meeting in Ethiopia pledged $28.5m to help the African Union mobilise, train and deploy healthcare workers. We chose to fundraise for MSF because the charity is doing a great job, and MSF was one of the first organisations to offer support on the ground.
“BTWSC and African Histories Revisited are grateful to all those who attended the fundraiser, donated raffle and auction prizes, and sent donations.
In spite of his emotional time, Rowden added: “It was a wonderful, relaxed occasion and I very much enjoyed my time.
“Please pass on my thanks to all who attended, for their warm and friendly welcome, the interest in the work of MSF, the funds raised and messages of support. It was most humbling. In one aspect, it was like being on a mission - though our time together was relatively short I feel I have made many new friends.”
Ama Butler
BTWSC
btwsc@hotmail.com
The event which took place on on Saturday Dec. 6 2014 at Best Western Cukmberland Hotel, raised over £2000 towards purchasing protective kits for frontline health workers in Ebola-hit countries in West Africa.
Kwaku and Leroy Logan (Photo: Des Chisholm)
Speak Out!
Click here to speak out and share your perspective on this article.We are pleased that the fundraiser was successful. Africans and African led-organisations on the continent and in the Diaspora are doing their bit to help fight the Ebola outbreak
Awula Serwah, former Harrow Mayoress
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