Fafali dreams & themes end-of-year party: The fun, the thrills, and all you need to know
The biggest outdoor celebration for children in the Anumle Electoral Area dubbed “Fafali Dreams & Themes End-of-Year Party” was held on December 18, 2022, at Kappa 7 Astroturf in the Kissehman community.
Fafali Dreams & Themes End-of-Year Party was to provide fun and inexpensive entertainment for over 500 children who would have no form of celebration during this period of the year, ensure a sense of comradery among children, attract new children into the Fafali programs next year to extend impact.
The event doubled as an award ceremony to reward well-deserving children in the programs of the organization. Programs included were; Ball & Brain, Golf & Goal, and Fit for Fun, among others.
CEO of the Fafali Organization and General Overseer of the Fafali Dreams & Themes End-of-Year Party, Senyo Sosu, made known his excitement over such an event and how much he believes this, in the long run, will shape the thoughts, behavior, and attitudes of the children they serve.
“This has been a great and a historic day for Fafali and all these children and I am very excited to witness this day, especially looking at all the effort we have put into organizing this event,” Mr. Sosu said.
He also added that “this event does not all look into providing inexpensive fun for our children but we are hoping that, these new crop of children are going to be impacted with the right attitudes and behavior to be morally upright in their communities, which is what Fafali Organization has been looking to do all along”.
Funding
To be able to organize such a historic event did not just come on a silver platter but had to involve the support and donation of well-meaning individuals from all walks of life.
An amount of €1,500 was needed to ensure the smooth running of affairs like securing a large venue for 500 children, food and drinks, public address, and musical systems.
The event received sponsorship through the packages it had sent out soliciting help. Brotherz Bite, a community restaurant offered the Fafali Organization a discount on their food to help cater for the needs of all children and guests at the event. The majority of funds were raised through donations from past and present volunteers who helped extend impact to the children in the community. Through these volunteers, their relations also largely donated to support the event. Other individuals who were associated with the organization in one way or the other also threw in their support. In the end, the Germans donated the most to the event, followed closely by the British, and the Americans.
Enough money was raised to put up a historic celebration and to also support the organization’s book drive project where they intend to assist children in their programs with exercise books and other school stationery in the new academic year.
Preparations
To achieve the goals and objectives of providing inexpensive fun for children in their programs and the community at large, the Fafali Organization took the initiative of arranging gifts for every child present on the day.
During this time of the year, most children in this part of the world have no form of celebration and as such, have to observe the festive season like any normal day.
Fafali Dreams & Themes happens to be in its second year. The first edition was in December 2021 and was organized at the Fafali Volunteer House. Because it was the first of its kind, it was limited to about 100-150 children in the Fafali programs. 2022 was planned to be bigger as the organization had worked over the year to extend its impact across the various communities by bringing on board some schools in the Anumle Electoral Area.
The staff of the office was given specific roles to carry out to ensure the success of this event. People were tasked to ensure that a venue was secured, and the availability of food, water, drinks, music, and people had to see to photography and videography functions on the day.
All was set for Dreams & Themes to take place after everything was secured.
Event Day
Fafali Dreams & Themes End-of-Year Party was a scheduled 5hrs program from 3 pm – 8 pm on Sunday, December 18, 2022. There was a program outline to make sure the event ran smoothly. Key on the outline was the welcoming of guests, red carpet & pictures with Santa Clause, pictures for donors, Goodwill Message from the Founder, Sponsor’s message, Games & Fun Activities, Awards Ceremony, and send-off gifts.
Children lined up in their numbers to take red carpet pictures as well as pictures with Santa Clause as this was a revealing experience. Children in our part of the world are not used to such activities during the Christmas festivities.
There were games like Egyptian Mummy (Tissue Game), Wheelbarrow game, and lime and spoon, among others. Kids from all Fafali programs (Ball & Brain, Golf & Goal, Fit for Fun) and the partner schools (Jerremite, Victoria Solid Foundation, St. James Wisdom, and Revere) all had representatives in the various games which was to achieve the objective of building that comradery among children in the community and also bring out the competitive nature in the children.
After many activities on the day, children and all guests were treated to meals provided by Brotherz Bite. There were local drinks like “sobolo, ginger pineapple juice, and lamoujine” available for all. Anyone around the community and venue could feel the great vibe in the atmosphere as kids ran around playing with each other, dancing to their best songs, and trying to make the most of the program.
Before every child exited the venue, they received a customized bag constituting some jerseys, and other sporting attires as their Christmas present.
Some children shared their excitement about attending the Fafali Dreams & Themes End-of-Year Party.
“I really enjoyed myself today because this is the best party I have ever attended and I really felt special,” said Jeffery, a kid in the Fafali Fit for Fun project.
Mayfred from the Girls’ football team under the Fafali Ball & Brain project also said she was elated to have been part of this celebration and is looking forward to “The 2023 Girls Retreat”.
Awards
Fafali Dreams & Themes End-of-Year Party which doubled as an awards ceremony rewarded some deserving children in all programs of the Fafali Organization. From the best player to the best athlete in each division, to the most disciplined, and the overall best performer of the year 2022.
Julienne Afi Amezado was awarded the overall best performer in 2022. This was as a result of her excellence in the year under review. Afi participated in major tournaments at the Achimota Golf Course and other Golf Courses across the country, and stood out. She competed in the Achimota Golf Course Monthly Medal Tournaments and came out victorious in the Ladies Division A category, Afi was invited by R&A to participate in The Junior Golf Championship, 2022. The Open was to take place in Monifieth Golf Links, Scotland, UK where she would have represented Ghana and the Ghana Golf Association after winning all the major tournaments in the country barring late visa acquisition.
The Organization continues to sponsor Afi Julienne Amezado following her impressive performances not only in Golf, but in the organization’s Drum, Dance, and Dream project, website and graphic design class, as well as the Girls football project.
Fit4Fun Project
- Best Male Runner – Mateen
- Best Female Runner – Diana
Golf & Goal Project
(Overall Best Golfer)
- Julienne Afi Amezado
(Boys Short Course)
- Paulo Quarshie
(Girls Short Course)
- Harvey Arabella
(Boys 9 holes)
- Sokpoli Simon
(Girls 9 holes)
- Aryeetey Sunniva
(Boys 18 holes)
- Afatsawoo Bismarck
(Girls 18 holes)
- Julienne Afi Amezado
Ball & Brain Project
(Best Players)
- Under 8 – Nathaniel Leletor
- Under 11 – Carlson Daniel
- Under 13 – Bright Anane
- Under 15 – Gideon Afemakor
- Under 17 – Dogbe Morris
(Best Goalkeeper)
- Dickson Norvinyo (De Gea)
(Most Disciplined Player)
- Alhassan Sabah
(Goal King)
- Dogbe Morris
Organizers of the Fafali Dreams & Themes End-of-Year Party acknowledged that there were some challenges encountered during the period of putting together such an event due to the impromptu nature but have vowed to begin preparations for the 2023 festivities as early as mid-year. Fafali is also calling on all corporate institutions to come on board and support them with anything they can to be able to make the 2023 festivities even better and expand the impact beyond children in the Fafali programs and children in the community.
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