AFRICAN ASSOCIATION OF MADISON, INC
PO BOX 1016
MADISON, WI 53701-1016
608/258-0261

Hello:

On behalf of the Executive and the Festival Planning Committees, I hope
that this letter finds you in good health.  We have entered 1998 with high
hopes.  We are together working to make the African Association of Madison
deliver for us, all the hopes and aspirations we set out with when we
formed this organization almost six years ago.

This is a personal and gracious invitation to you to make a monetary
contribution to create matching funds that will enable us ask for money
from other donors, and help defray some of the expenses of our planned
African Family Festival  - AFFEST '98, scheduled for Saturday, August 22,
1998 at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center.

As you know, we set up the African Association of Madison, to serve as a
forum to unite and bring Africans and friends of Africa in Madison
together. More importantly, we promised to further use the Association to
safeguard the diverse African cultures, and ultimately share these
heritages and traditions with the Madison community.  To achieve this goal,
we decided during our June 1997 general meeting that an African Family
Festival, AFFEST '98 would be the most appropriate way to achieve some of
these goals

The uniqueness of AFFEST '98, and the element that has intrigued potential
sponsors so far is the fact that we, the ordinary African immigrants here
in Madison are going to put up the show, with authentic cultural and
traditional activities to fill up one Saturday afternoon.  AFFEST '98 will
be a wonderful opportunity for Madisonians to learn about African culture
and traditions directly from us Africans who live here. We will demonstrate
various events such as a child naming ceremony, sing songs, crafts, tell
stories, cook everyday and celebratory dishes, illustrate various
occupational skills, discuss daily African lives, and address issues of
cultural identity, history, and heritage. Visitors will join in, learn
songs and dances, ask questions, eat foods, try their hands at things, and
learn about grassroots African culture directly from us.

As active members of the Association, you and I,  have devoted years of
time and effort to develop the name and reputation it has attained.  I know
that you care deeply about the image of Africa and the perceptions people
hold of Africa. AFFEST '98 could be our chance, however little, to change a
bit of those misconceptions. Please find it in your heart to help make this
Festival a reality.

Thank you so much for considering this request. Please make your
contribution  payable to "African Association of Madison, Inc" and send
your contribution to the address above.  Remember, your contribution is
fully tax deductible and be sure to call me at 608/258-0261 if you have any
questions, or if you want to play any part in the festival or donate
anything else towards the AFFEST  '98.

Thank you so very much in advance.

Sincerely,
E. Aggo Akyea
President