Los Altos United Methodist Women (UMW) established the African Student Education Fund in 2005. Our congregation and constituents have been overwhelming in their financial support of this fund and in their recognition of the need for education for African women.
In it's first academic year, 2006/2007, this fund supported three young women at Africa University, a Methodist University, in Old Mutare, Zimbabwe. Tuition for one year of study is US$5400.
United Methodist Women knew that to continue at this level, fundraising in addition to direct giving would have to be implemented. Los Altos UMW annually raises more than $30,000 to support local charities. To add more fundraising to support the African Student Education Fund would be a challenge.
Creative women came up with a fundraising idea, "Sweet Spring Sale-abration 2007," a pre-Easter floral, bake and seasonal basket sale. Donations provided items to fill baskets of various kinds (Easter, graduation, pampering, new baby, etc.), vases for floral fresh and permanent arrangements, and, of course, lots and lots of home baked good. Skills surfaced for creating very professional eye-catching banners and posters and for beautifully presenting the items using cello wrappings and ribbons to provide a visual feast.
The sale offered other unique items including a special greeting card created as a tribute to Sue Dodson. Read more about the Sue Dodson greeting cards here.
The success of this event enabled UMW to support more students at Africa University. It was easy to decide to repeat the fund-raising event in 2008! And, a 5th Sunday special collection was designated by the Outreach Committee to be given to the African Student Education Fund.
The fund continues to grow. Yearly 5th Sunday collections and "Sale-Abrations" have confirmed the continuing support of our congregation, far above our expectations!
The Easter/Spring theme for Sale-Abration 2009 was another popular event.
And, deciding to change the theme in 2010, United Methodist Women offered sales of Super Bowl snacks and treats and special gifts and floral arrangements for Valentine's Day which were, once again, outstanding.
As many as 13 students have been supported at one time from the African Student Education Fund, with half or full tuition scholarships, in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Angola and in the United States. This fund is making a difference! Names of students and tuition information can be found here.
The goal of United Methodist Women is to continue to support all selected students until they graduate. What started as a need for $5000 to $6000 each year has grown to a need for over $40,000 yearly.
The Sale-Abration events, now an annual expectation from our United Methodist Women, are raising almost $6,000 each year. Individual donations make up the balance of the needed funds. It is all a combined desire to continue to support higher education for African women!
Look for our next event:
2011 SALE-ABRATION
SUNDAY, JANUARY 30, 2011
8:00am–1:30pm & 4:30–7:00pm
in Creekside Center
For more information: janetrlull@att.net
