COCORIOKO
By Dennis Kabatto L
Thursday, December 01, 2011
The members of United Nations African Mothers Association (UNAMA) continues to shatter the myth that the wives of African ambassadors to the United Nations are merely housewives who do domestic chores while their husbands grapple with world issues and drink Champagne.
Mrs_Mamie_Thompson_of_UNAMA_(2).
UNAMA will host its 27th annual buffet luncheon on Friday 2 December, 2011 from 12 noon to 3pm at the Church Center for the United Nations located at 777 UN Plaza, corner of 44th street and 1st Avenue in New York City.
The luncheon is a major source of fundraising for the organization and features authentic African cuisine dishes prepared by spouses serving in the African permanent missions to the United Nations.
UNAMA_members_with_Mrs_Ban_(2).
“UNAMA goes beyond hosting fundraising and awareness events to alleviate the plight of women and children in Africa,” Ms Mashabane said. “It also creates an empowering platform for African women in New York and diplomatic spouses in particular, to serve as positive social transformation agents through their participation in the work of the organization.”
Ms Mashabane also extends her organization’s appreciation “for the continued support provided by the Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations, the permanent missions to the UN and the broader New York communities in our humble endeavors to make a difference in the lives of African women and children.”
During a telephone interview Tuesday, UNAMA’s newly elected president Mrs. Rosaline Onemola said the organization was established in 1984 as a non-profit, non-political, humanitarian organization by a group of African Ambassadors spouses who felt the urge to make meaningful contributions to victims of the devastating Ethiopian famine in the mid 1980s.
“Though UNAMA was created by wives of African representatives to the UN, the organization has evolved and is now inclusive of women affiliated with the UN regardless of nationality or region of origin,” acknowledged Mrs. Onemola.
A press advisory by UNAMA indicates since its inception 27 years ago, UNAMA has raised funds that have benefited women and children’s projects ranging from refugees in conflict zones, equipment and drugs for maternity hospitals, orphanages, nutrition and literacy programmes, as well as income generating projects across various African countries including a micro-financing project in Ghana.
The advisory also points out the goals and activities of the UNAMA are linked to the attainment of the UN millennium goals that deal with the eradication of poverty and the betterment of living standards of women and children in need.
Suggested Contribution for Friday’s annual fundraising luncheon is $35.
For tickets and more information, please call Mrs Roseline Onemola (President of UNAMA) at 646 651 6631or Mrs Eva Forson at 646 753 2794
Take-out orders are available.