Vote of Thanks for the September 13, 2025, 'One Africa' Picnic, Sponsored by Kansas Health Foundation (KHF).

WAU
Sep 14
2 min read

Updated: Oct 2

First of all, Wichita African Union (WAU) membership, Executive Officers and the Board of Directors wish to thank Kansas Health Foundation (KHF) for making this event possible. This type of event helps the African community to be connected and interactive, which enhances the health of the entire community. It opens doors for networking, collaboration, and hope from sense of extended family and belonging. We had a successful very first 'One Africa' event where we gathered all groups of the African Family in Wichita; African Immigrants, African Refugees and African Americans, friends of WAU and friends of Africans, including those who have visited the continent of Africa in the past. The goal was to get Africans and friends together to connect, share and enjoy the different forms of our culture. We had African music, food, poetry, and drumming. The food was mostly BBQ, fruit with African sides of Mandazi (eastern Africa dish), Puff Puff (central and western Africa dish) and chapati (eastern Africa dish - donated by Happy Family Store at 1343 N. Hillside, Wichita, Kansas 67214.

Secondly, we would like to thank, with gratitude, our guests individually and as groups: Kansas Health Foundation’s Community Impact Assistant, Candace Malone and her family, Leaders from the African American community: USD259 At-large Board Member, Melody McClay Miller. Member of the Grant Chapel AME Church of Wichita, African American Poet Desmond Thepoet Bryant spoke a poem, members of the Pearson Family who shared about a mobile farmers market; commongroundpg.com.

Staff from International Rescue Committee; Nayu Wilson, Susan Mukwindidza (originally from Zimbabwe with her family) and Nicole Wasome (originally from Kenya with her Mother who read an African/Kenyan poem).

President of Cameroonian Association with his family and his community, secretary of Wichita Kenyans Community with his community, the Ugandan community, the Tanzanian community, President of the Congolese Community with his community, the Nigerian community, a visiting military personnel from Chicago (originally from Benin), American friend - Joanna Sabally with connections to Gambia, Rose Nyafouna from Senegal, guests from South Sudan and Sudan, American Geologist friend Brian Fisher (made a donation), American Former Pastor, Dr. Rick Bartlett who made an impression with his beautiful Malawi National Football team Jersey (he has visited Malawi twice). He volunteers for One Campaign from Wichita), KUMC Prof Dr. Ayo Olagoke & her family (Nigerian), Prof Teresa Molina with friends from Friends University, a lady originally from Mexico and all other guests, college students, youth and children too many to list everyone. We love you All & look forward to having you again next year and every year.

Photographer of the day was Lawrence Wi @lawrence.Wi.