As the Fafali Organization celebrated its third anniversary, it became clear that an event to engage our key stakeholders was both timely and necessary. With this in mind, we launched Impact Connect 2024, an initiative to reflect on our growth, share insights, and highlight the significant impact we’ve made over the past fiscal year. This event took place on Saturday, 24th August, 2024.

Our journey began with the vision of creating a better future for underprivileged children, and three years later, that vision has turned into a thriving reality, supported by our community, partners, and stakeholders. This virtual event was the perfect opportunity to celebrate our achievements, discuss future initiatives, and express gratitude to all who have been part of this transformative journey.

An Inspiring Opening by Our Founder

The event began with a motivating and heartfelt introduction by the Founder and President, Raymond Amezado. In his opening, Raymond reflected on the organization’s humble beginnings, sharing the passion and commitment that have driven Fafali’s work to empower communities over the years.

In a moment of pride for the entire organization, Raymond also made a significant announcement: Fafali Organization is now officially registered in the state of North Carolina and certified as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the USA! This achievement means that all donations to the organization are now tax-deductible, a huge milestone in expanding our reach and enhancing support from U.S.-based partners and donors.

His message energized the audience, setting a positive tone for the day and reaffirming our dedication to changing lives through impactful, grassroots initiatives.

Message from the CEO

Following the opening address, the CEO of Fafali, Senyo Sosu, delivered his CEO’s Message. He expressed gratitude to all attendees for their continued support and emphasized the organization’s commitment to scaling up its programs in education, sports, and community development. Senyo also served as the Master of Ceremonies for the day, guiding the event smoothly through each segment and ensuring it stayed on track.

Presentation of Initiatives by the COO

Selase Atsriku, the Chief Operating Officer, then took the stage to walk participants through an in-depth presentation of Fafali’s key initiatives over the past fiscal year. These include the impactful work done in education, sports, gender equality, and environmental sustainability.

He highlighted some of our biggest successes, such as:

• Our journey to zero teenage pregnancies recorded in the communities served.
• Supporting over 4,000 individuals directly and engaging 10,000 more indirectly through our various programs.
• Partnering with local schools, sports academies, and international organizations to enhance the reach of our efforts.

The COO’s presentation was both comprehensive and inspiring, showcasing the broad spectrum of Fafali’s work in uplifting disadvantaged communities.

Stories of Impact: Hearing from Our Beneficiaries

One of the most powerful parts of the day was hearing directly from the beneficiaries of Fafali’s programs. These inspiring individuals shared their personal stories of transformation through their involvement in our initiatives. Parents of beneficiaries also spoke about the life-changing impact Fafali has had on their children’s futures. Each testimony was a reminder of why Fafali exists—to give hope, empower the underserved, and provide a path toward a brighter future.

In addition to these stories, we also heard from some of our past and present volunteers who shared their experiences working with Fafali, illustrating the profound relationships and connections they’ve built during their time with us.

Our Partners’ Contributions

The event wouldn’t have been complete without hearing from some of our incredible partners who have supported us throughout the journey. Fofogan from France Volontaires Ghana, who has been instrumental in recruiting volunteers from France, shared his thoughts on the partnership and recounted the success of sending seven delegates from Fafali to participate in the Olympic festivities in France.

We also heard from Emile Westergaard from IVoT Financial Training Inc., who shared insights into their collaboration with Fafali, and Rhoda Amezado from Ngorli CIC in the UK, who spoke about her organization’s long-standing partnership with Fafali. These partnerships have been crucial to the success of Fafali’s initiatives, and we are grateful for their ongoing support.

A Powerful Call to Action: School Supplies Fundraiser

During the event, there was a vital call to action for all attendees to support our School Supplies Fundraiser. Each year, Fafali ensures that underserved children have the essential supplies they need to attend school and succeed in their studies. Last year, we supported 300 children, and this year, we aim to support 500.

Thanks to the generous contribution of BDKJ in Germany, who donated 2,200 euros, we have already secured school supplies for 275 children. However, we still need additional support to meet our goal. Many children in these underserved communities face exclusion from school if they lack basic supplies.

For girls, this vulnerability sometimes leads to them engaging in dangerous relationships with older men in exchange for funds, while boys are often found skipping school and spending time on the streets. Our school supplies initiative ensures that these children can stay in school and avoid these risks.

Success Through Collaboration

A key theme of the event was the emphasis on collaboration and partnership. Fafali’s success is deeply tied to the relationships we have built with our partners and supporters. Our work wouldn’t be possible without the contributions of our partners. These partnerships amplify the impact of our initiatives and help us reach more communities and individuals in need.

As Impact Connect 2024 drew to a close, the energy and passion were palpable. The event demonstrated that while much has been achieved in the last fiscal year, there is still so much more work to be done. With our new 501(c)(3) status in the U.S., our growing partnerships, and the ongoing support of our donors, we are confident that Fafali will continue to make a lasting difference in the lives of those who need it most.

The call to action to donate to the School Supplies Fundraiser was reiterated, and attendees were encouraged to stay connected with Fafali as we continue to empower communities and provide opportunities for all.

We thank everyone who participated in Impact Connect 2024 and look forward to celebrating even more milestones with you in the years to come.

Thank you for reading!