Heart of Africa

In Patrick O’Meara’s words, the attendees at Thursday evening’s IU African Student Association formal benefit dinner were witnessing something “quite remarkable.”\nBenefiting the nonprofit organization Giving Back Africa, people filled the Grand Hall in the Neal Marshall Black Culture Center awaiting a dinner and educational presentation on the necessary means required to aid the Democratic Republic of Congo, the “heart of Africa.”\n“It is an extraordinary organization,” O’Meara, dean of the international programs, said in his opening remarks. “It’s a humanitarian commitment.”\nPeople came up to the booth outside the hall to donate money for the sold-out event.\nAfrican Student Association President Axelle Atchade, a sophomore, said she was pleased with how the dinner went.\n“I’ve received e-mails from people saying they are sorry they can’t attend the event but are going to donate anyway,” Atchade said. \nSponsored by the association, the dinner benefited Giving Back Africa, which provides service education to help people from Congo to improve the impoverished lifestyle many face.\nMoney raised for the organization will aim to provide opportunities for schooling and meals.\nAdjunct assistant professor Ann Marie Thomson is the co-founder of Giving Back Africa. O’Meara applauded her for her efforts.\n“You don’t need the U.S. economy of commerce to do a statistical annual breakdown to know you are doing things,” O’Meara said. “Africa tends to be overlooked. I hope (Giving Back Africa), Jim, Ann Marie and friends inspire us all to follow in the footsteps.”\nA slide show was presented to educate the packed room about Congo. About 15,000 Africans die each day of preventable or treatable disease, according to the presentation. About 3.9 million deaths have occurred since 1999.\nThe presentation addressed why there isn’t a stable government to control the nation.\nSeveral attendees came out to the event with different backgrounds and interest.\nFreshman Laura Sturm said she was generally interested in the cause. She said in the near future she would like to go to Congo.\nFor junior Laura Tuteral, her involvement in the Invisible Children organization in Uganda inspired her to come. The group also deals closely with the Congo.\nClarke Canedy, a local Bloomington community member, came to the event to support the organization and learn. \n“I don’t know a lot about it, but I hope to gain an understanding of the Congo,” he said.\nThroughout the year, the African Student Association has strived to raise awareness in all events and aspects, said Emaelaf Mesfin Alemu, educational program director.\n“Having this great life, a lot of people don’t know that donating change can provide a meals for a month for a kid down in the Congo,” Alemu said. “The effects will be \nvery big.”