Photos by Karen Ostlund
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| La Santa Cecilia |
Last
Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017,
Whole Planet Foundation, Clamorhouse and other valued partners honored Olowo-n'djo Tchala and Prairie Rose Hyde, co-founders of Alaffia,
for alleviating poverty in
Togo
and around the globe.
The celebration took place at Whole Planet
Foundation's biennial pre-GRAMMY benefit, which was held at OHM
Nightclub in
Los Angeles.
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| The Reluctant Apostles featuring Katey Sagal and Chris Assaa |
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| Jessica Childress |
GRAMMY-nominated artists La Santa Cecilia, and
Rene Marie performed at the benefit along with Jessica Childress, The Reluctant Apostles featuring
Katey Sagal,
Chris Assaad and Givers and Takers. Celebrity hosts included drummer/producer
Vince Wilburn Jr. (Miles Davis Estate).
Alaffia, an organization based in Olympia, WA,
empowers West African communities to become sustainable through the
fair trade of indigenous resources and the sale of handcrafted body care
products. Olowo-n'djo and Rose encourage empowerment through Alaffia's
community projects, women's cooperatives, education, and involvement in
their local communities.
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| Whole Planet's buffet, vegan and organic |
Since 2006, Alaffia has funded 4,463 births,
planted 57,575 trees, donated 7,482 bicycles to Togolese students, built
ten schools, and provided school supplies to 32,842 students. "The only
things that are certain is that my life will be forever sacrificed for
the empowerment of all disadvantaged people, and that even if Alaffia
was to disappear today from the face of the earth, the support and the
opportunities that each and every one of you have given us over the
years has profoundly impacted my communities for generations to come,"
said Olowo-n'djo Tchala, co-founder.
Alaffia is a top donor to Whole Planet Foundation's global microfinance programs in 69 countries including
Togo and
the United States, "Given the first average developing world loan size of
$184, Alaffia's donation of
$200,000
to the Foundation has created more than 5,775 opportunities for
impoverished entrepreneurs and their family members to live a better
life.
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| Olowo-n'djo Tchala and Prairie Rose Hyde, co-founders of Alaffia |
"We are proud to honor Alaffia for their trailblazing impact in
Olowo-n'djo's native
Togo
and abroad, and to be joined by this year's generous event sponsors
like truRoots to raise funds for global poverty alleviation," said
Joy Stoddard, executive development and outreach director of Whole Planet Foundation.
Proceeds from the evening
went directly to Whole Planet Foundation, a Whole Foods Market
non-profit, to fund microcredit loans to provide the world's poorest
entrepreneurs with the opportunity to create home-based businesses for
the chance to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. To
date, Whole Planet Foundation has disbursed
$61 million in micro-lending programs, funding 1.75 million micro-credit loans for micro-entrepreneurs, 88%women, in 69 countries.
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| Sambazon Acai shakes |
The event was supported by
Presenting Sponsor truRoots and Community Leader Sambazon. Foundation
Partners were BluePrint Organic, Cedar's Mediterranean Foods, City
National Bank, Saffron Road, SeaSnax, Lifeway Kefir, Lily's Sweets,
PopChips, prAna, and VOSS Water.
Event Supporters included Coyo, Harmless
Harvest, Health-Ade Kombucha, Justin's, KeVita Sparkling Probiotic
Drinks, NadaMoo, Playing for Change Foundation,
Rishi Tea
and Volvic.
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| Whole Planet's Drink Menu |
Event Contributors included Cabo Chips, Castor &
Pollux, Doctor Kracker, Greyston Bakery, Heavenly Organics, KIND Bar,
Madécasse Chocolate, MS Event Production, Navitas Naturals,
Papyrus-Recycled Greetings, Planet LA Records, Purely Elizabeth,
Putumayo, Rhythm Superfoods, Scarlette Bartending and The Seaweed Bath
Co.
wholeplanetfoundation.org
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| Nada moo! frozen yoghurt |
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Lifeway frozen Kefir float
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