Local charity Waltham Forest Thuso in South Africa (WFTISA) were happy to welcome the borough’s new mayor, Councillor Richard Sweden, to their annual Fundraising Garden Party on Sunday 23 September 2012 in Walthamstow.
The charity sponsors school fees and supports a food programme for school children who have been orphaned or made destitute by HIV and AIDs in South Africa. WFTISA sees education as the only escape from poverty for these children and, as hungry children cannot learn, providing lunch is essential for many pupils who may not have an evening meal waiting for them at the end of a school day.
More than 100 people came from Waltham Forest, across London and as far afield as Holland to support the event, which raised more than £800. Undeterred by the pouring rain, the party moved inside to hear the mayor’s address, as he spoke of the value of supporting those less fortunate than ourselves, and encouraged generous giving.
Guests were then entertained by Daniel Pule and Vuyelwa Njonge, two South African musicians from Watford who thrilled with their acapella singing and Daniel’s haunting harmonica playing. Elijah Bracewell and six-year-old Zeki Taylor brought the entertainment to a close with a demonstration of South African Gumboot dancing.
