As the second semester of the 2006-07 school year comes to a close, Wittenberg University students have organized a benefit event that will extend their goodwill efforts across the globe.
Wittenberg student organizations American International Association (AIA) and Concerned Black Students (CBS) have teamed up to create a fashion extravaganza titled "Hakuna Matata: The Fashion Show," to raise money for children in the impoverished African nation of Uganda. The fundraiser will begin at 9 p.m. Friday, April 27, in Wittenberg's Center Dining Room (CDR) in the Benham-Pence Student Center.
"I've always wanted to do a fashion show," said the event's creator, Philomina Darko, class of 2010. "But after watching the Invisible Children documentary, I was really touched and decided to get us all together to help these children."
Nicknamed the "Invisible Children of Uganda," the plight of these exploited young people was exposed in a recent documentary film. The children are victims of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), a rebel militant group in Uganda that is accused of kidnapping them and forcing them to become "child soldiers" and sex slaves. An American-based organization called Invisible Children (IC) has been created to provide financial assistance for the children who have managed to escape from the LRA and to work toward an end to the violence that is ravaging the nation.
Wittenberg students, faculty and staff members will be strutting their stuff on the runway to help the cause. From athletes to musicians, the range of models the two clubs recruited is extensive. Darko promises an endless number of surprise appearances on the catwalk — including Professor of Political Science George Hudson, Assistant Professor of Communication Stephanie Broz and University President Mark Erickson.
"I wanted to get a good representation of the campus body so that all of their friends would come out and [show their] support," Darko said. "This way it can truly be an all-campus effort."
Darko came up with the concept for the show with the help of AIA President Karell Pelle, class of 2007 from Nairobi, Kenya, Michael Tamura, class of 2010 from Yokohama, Japan, and Lisa Petrovskaia, class of 2010 from Pontarlier, France, and CBS President Terraya Lewis, class of 2007 from Cleveland Heights, Ohio. The fashion show categories range from the traditional spring wear to formal wear with a special signature line called "International Jetsetters."
"It's a very important cause to me to help these children," said Petrovskaia, who will also double as a model on the big night. "It's a fun way to help them. I hope this event will have a very big impact on campus and a lot of people will come."
DVDs, T-shirts and bracelets will be sold at the event, with all proceeds going directly to benefit the Ugandan children. The event's organizers are asking for a donation of $3 to attend the show, and baskets will be provided to collect any additional funds audience members might wish to offer.
"Give big please," Darko said with a smile. "It's for a really, really good cause."
