REPORT ON THE INAUGURATION OF THE DON FOUNDATION LAWRA
REPORT ON THE INAUGURATION OF THE DON FOUNDATION LAWRA ON THE 1ST JANUARY, 2015 AT THE LAWRA COMMUNITY CENTER ON THE THEME: CELEBRATING OUR WIDOWS – THERE IS STRENGHT IN UNITY.
The grand launch, the Don Foundation Lawra (DFL) took place in Lawra on January 1st. At about 12:30 pm. Participants began arriving. The official opening was at 2 pm, all invited guest had arrived, and notable among them was the District Chief Executive, the Pognaa (Queen Mother) of Lawra traditional council, the Pognaa of kolbanour and the hon. Member of the assembly for Tabier- Kuowob- Orbir – Bagr electoral area. In attendance were 181 widows from several parts of the district.
The programme was opened with a prayer led by the head Pastor of the International Central Gospel Church of Lawra Assembly (ICGC), Pastor Mathew Anor Baah. After a brief introduction of the guest and participants, the chairperson for the event was introduced in the person of the Pognaa (Queen Mother) of the Lawra traditional area, Mrs. Elizabeth Fuunaayel. She went on to deliver an acceptance speech and a general address for the occasion.
Next was a strong welcome address by the founder of the Don Foundation, Mr. Maaire Walier Julius (Dj Don). With passion and enthusiasm, he outlined the import of the organization, its purpose, aims and objectives. He went on to admonish participants to take ensuing events and programmes seriously as they are tailored for their social upliftment. In his speech, he hinted on some of the key programmes to be rolled out including batik tye and dye making, soap making among other creative art skills that can generate income to enable them (widows) make a livelihood. He took the opportunity to call on organizations and individuals to support the cause in whatever way possible.
After short musical interlude, the participating women (widows) received a speech from the Hon. DCE of Lawra district in the person of Paschal Dery. Expressing his admiration for initiative he called for a huge applause for the brains behind the organization. He then admonished the women (widows) to embrace the initiative and take all activities seriously. Pledging his support, he donated an amount of GHC 100 to the cause. He concluded by urging the organizers not to lose focus but go on to broaden the scope and helps to alleviate poverty and state dependency.
The Pognaa (Queen Mother) of the Lawra traditional area was next to address the gathering. Speaking also on the behalf of the chief of the traditional area, she explained the chief’s absence and went on to ask the attendees to take time to assess their current conditions and accept programme, to own and uplift the own image as a group. She concluded by pledging all the support the council could offer. Also in her closing remarks, she asked the women (widows) to merry and to forget all the thoughts of loneliness and sorrows their departed spouses have left behind.
The guest left the event amidst dancing and cheers from the women (widows). It was followed by dancing, speeches from the women (widows) to their colleague attendees, food and drink bazaar.
Later in the evening there was fun fair for the youth of the Lawra district, there were a lot of performers search as miss s.h.s, dancing, singing/rap, eating, comedy, chair dance and much more......