Fruitful Results of Operation Love to Africa 2009

Sunday, January 10 2010 21:51

In the remote regions of West Africa, there are some countries that many of us may not know very well--Togo (not the Sandwich shop!) and Benin, both French-speaking countries and long and narrow in shape; as well as Ghana, an English-speaking country with slightly larger area. These three adjoining small countries in West Africa are the target of ROLF’s Operation Love to Africa for Christmas 2009. It started with a simple idea of “Purchase a gift of toys, stationery or daily necessities for the African children for only $15, and express to them the love and concern in a tangible way “. ROLF has managed to raise $33,000 dollars between Oct. and Dec. 2009 and delivered 3000 Christmas gifts to the children in Togo, Benin and Ghana. While the economy in North America is in the downturn and its outlook remains bleak, it is quite encouraging to see many people participate in this campaign and “show love in the midst of recession”.

In mid December 2009, ROLF also dispatched two co-workers to the three West African countries, undertaking the important tasks of buying gifts, packaging and distribution.  During the distribution, they also managed to video-tape and capture the joyful faces of children upon receiving the gifts. From the elementary school students in Accra (capital of Ghana) to children of different age groups in Cotonou (capital of Benin) and Lome (capital of Togo) as well as the impoverished kids in the desolated villages, each one  holding their gifts with beaming smiles on their faces, as if they had just received the most precious gift in the world. In addition to gifts, our co-workers also brought with them Christmas cards from North America. Each message in the cards carries the most sincere blessings from around half-a-globe to arrive at the hands of the children.  From 980 gifts in 2008 to 3000 gifts in 2009, ROLF and a cadre of supporters have been working to break down the cultural and geographic barriers by showing our love in action, believing that “it is more blessed to give than to receive”.  We look forward to more friends to participate in this charity and join us to “send love to West Africa”.