The United Front Against Riverblindness is a ministry whose Executive Director, Dr. Daniel Shungu, is a member of our church. Dr. Shungu, a retired Merck employee, wanted to give something back to the residents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo -- where he was born. Read more about the work of this important ministry which delivers Mectizan (used to prevent new cases of Riverblindness - Onchocerciasis) to the residents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo by visiting the UFAR website and on the Princeton Comment blog.
The last of the fundraisers was an African Soiree!
- The Umoja and Usaama Dance
On Saturday, May 22, at 6 p.m. a community-wide African Cultural Evening and Dinner was held at Princeton University’s Carl A. Fields Center, at Prospect and Olden Avenues. DJ Sikamba (Ernest Diatta) played African music for dancing, and Afro DZ AK (jazz artist Pete Shungu) also entertained. The Umoja and Usaama Dance
Company presented three dances and a drum demonstration, followed by an
opportunity for audience participation. To learn more about the Umoja and Usaama Dance Company, please download this dance program. Photos of this event are available on the UFAR Facebook page and in the slide show below. It was a great event with authentic African food, entertainment and fun!
How to Give to this Worthy Cause
If you are unable to attend the upcoming fundraising events and want to make a generous donation that will help send our team to the Congo this summer, please make a check payable to "Princeton United Methodist Church" and in the lower left note that it is for the "Riverblindness Mission Team." Then send it to Princeton United Methodist Church, 7 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton, New Jersey 08542.
View the Community TV Video
Click here and watch Anne Reeves interviews Daniel Shungu, Tom Lank and Barbara Fox.
Other Fundraising Events Held Recently
- Daniel Shungu and Hyosang Park anticipating the upcoming handbell concert on May 15th
Parents and children from our church participated in a “performance art parade” at Communiversity on Saturday, April 24. Two eight-person teams paraded through the streets during Communiversity. The adults pretended to be blind, and the children led them with sticks, and wore sandwich boards with slogans like "Ask Me About Riverblindness." Click here to see a picture and read more about this event.
On Sunday, April 25, at 2 p.m, there was a Congo Mission Trip Tea at PUMC. Photos below. Church members and guests enjoyed a variety of teas, tea cakes, sandwiches, and pastries; international cooking demonstrations; music; fellowship; and fun.
On Saturday, May 1, the Princeton United Methodist Church held a “May Day 5k Race to Conquer Riverblindness”! The race began at 8:30 a.m. and ended at approximately 10 a.m. at Princeton Theological Seminary. The entry fee was $25 and each participant received a T-shirt urunuseeuhelpUFAR. Photos below.
On Saturday, May 15, at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary of our church, our own Hyosang Park gave one of her thrilling solo handbell concerts. She was accompanied by Akiko Hosaki on Piano. Photo below. The concert was wonderful and a great way to spend a Saturday night!
Photos from the Handbell Concert
Photos from the 5K Race, May 1st
Blog Photos from the 5K Race
A member of our church has posted some photos from the 5K race on her blog, Princeton Comment. Click here an then scroll down to view them.
Photos from the UMW Tea, April 25th
Another great way to help!
- Some of the PUMC members who will be traveling to the Congo this summer.
Be a sponsor for one of the fundraising events being planned to help send our mission team to the Congo. Download and read this Sponsorship Letter.
Fundraising Update
We have confirmed that our dates of travel will be July 19th - August 3rd, 2010. Please pray for the ministry team that will be heading to the Democratic Republic of the Congo from now until they return.
Thank you for helping us reach our fundraising goal! To date over $35,000 has been raised! Many people contributed time, money, expertise and effort to make this a success. This is a mission effort that the whole church can be proud of. If you would like to support the ministry to eradicate Riverblindness in the DRC you may still do it. Make your checks payable to Princeton United Methodist Church with "Congo Ministry" in the memo line.
