Ohio University Greeks will host an international dinner tonight that will affect students across the world.
Greek life will team up with Empower, a non-profit organization based in Athens and dedicated to providing educational resources and opportunities in East Africa. The Around the World Food Tasting presented by Greek Week's philanthropy board will give all of the proceeds to Empower to help rebuild a school in Uganda flattened by a wind storm last November.
Right now we're trying to raise funds to build a new nursery school in Uganda
said Hogan Sherrow, co-director of Empower. We're trying to build them an actual brick school that will withstand winds and hold over 250 students.
The nearly seven-month project to rebuild the Bigodi Nursery and Primary School has been the main focus of the Empower Campaign, but they are also investing in children within the schools through a holistic approach, Sherrow said.
Greek life is hosting the event for Greek Week, an annual weeklong event where Greeks participate in friendly competition while promoting philanthropic efforts. This year the week is Olympic themed.
Makenna Knight, a senior studying accounting and management information systems and one of the philanthropy chairs for Greek Week, said Empower seemed like a great organization with a strong community background, just what they were looking for as the official philanthropy of Greek Week.
The dinner will include a menu of foods from Italy, Greece and Mexico, catered by Baker University Center. There will also be performances by Yellow Light Maybe, a band formerly known as Two EB.
The dinner is to bring people together for a philosophical event and raise money for Empower said Christine Adams, a senior studying video production and also a philanthropy chair for Greek Week. We're trying to bring Greek Life and the Athens community together.
Empower will also be selling jewelry at the event made by women in Uganda.
Empower is really excited and honored that Greek Life took us on. Their activities are going to make real change in kids' lives that are worlds away Sherrow said.
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Culture
Courtney Hessenauer
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