The annual AGAPE fundraiser brought Sudanese culture to Bethel Park with a day full of music, food and community.
The event took place Aug. 17 under a pavilion on Hamilton Road, in hopes of creating awareness of the nonprofit’s mission.
AGAPE Heart International Organization is a nongovernmental, nonpartisan humanitarian organization based in Carrick, with African regional offices in refugee resettlement camps in Uganda and Juba, South Sudan. The mission is to help those in poverty create prosperity in their lives, according to the AHIO website.
Joel Dumba, an immigrant from South Sudan, founded the organization in 2016. This is the sixth year of the fundraiser.
“During the fundraising event, the community will be aware about the existence of our organization and what we provide as a nonprofit organization to the local community, especially the refugees and immigrants,” he said.
He wants people to be aware that they do not have to be a refugee or an immigrant to seek help from the organization.
“Everyone can benefit, so long as you have the needs,” Dumba said.
During the fundraiser, guests danced and sang, and speakers provided words of encouragement. Dumba informed attendees of the organization’s mission and guests enjoyed chicken, fish, greens, rice and Sudanese desserts.
The day went beyond giving back to people in need. It also gave back to vendors who attended the festival.
Terri Miller, who met Dumba through being a member of Bethel Presbyterian Church, sold products from her two stores, The Wellness Store and CBD Wellness Store, with 20% of the day’s proceeds donated to AGAPE Heart International Organization. This rule would also apply in store for those who mentioned AGAPE before checking out.
Miller came to the event to better educate people on the products she sells, as well as to support AGAPE’s mission.
“The more people we can make aware of AGAPE, the better, because they help children in a war-torn area,” Miller said. “If more people could open their pockets to help people from around the world and in our own communities, I just find that to be amazing.”
People traveled far and wide to celebrate in Bethel Park.
Miriam Mikaya came from Binghamton, N.Y., to attend for the third time.
Dumba shared at the event that Mikaya has supported three students in Sudan. With her help, they were able to complete high school and move on to higher education.
Mikaya, another immigrant from South Sudan, spoke about what the event means to her.
“This is an opportunity for us to get together to see other people that we otherwise would not have seen,” Mikaya said. “Alone, I would not be able to do anything. When we come together and put our hands together, we can support anything.”
The day featured two guest speakers, including James D. Nelson, founder of New Birth Ministries in Duquesne and a retired Allegheny County sheriff.
Ladu Gubek, the second speaker, traveled all the way from Minnesota. He was born in South Sudan and is blind due to losing his eyesight from measles.
“What brought me here is the mission of the organization,” Gubek said. “The mission to better the lives of people who are struggling throughout the world.”
Gubek reminded the audience of the leaders who came before them, such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. He encouraged the audience to fight for disadvantaged members of society.
He said the event was crucial because it brought the community together.
“It also helps the community to sacrifice the little they have for the benefit of others,” Gubek said.
The organization goes beyond impacting the community it supports by inspiring the people who are involved, according to Kabang Nyarsuk, a volunteer at AGAPE.
“I feel honored and privileged, as well, because it could have been one of us,” Nyarsuk said. “By the grace of God our parents came here, immigrated and settled down here, and we are able to volunteer and give all this back.”
All donations raised throughout the day were given to children who are suffering in Uganda.
More information on AGAPE Heart International Organization can be found at agapeinternationalorg.com.