Ivana Jane Foundation to host official launch

The Ivana Jane Foundation to host official launch and fundraising event to benefit African children with special needs.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

28th June 2013 – The Ivana Jane Foundation, an NGO which aims to promote the education and empowerment of African children with disabilities living in the UK and in Africa, is pleased to announce its official launch event on the 19th of July 2013 from 6.30pm till midnight at Bloomsbury House, 2-3 Bloomsbury Square, London WC1A 2RL.

The evening will feature a cocktail and networking reception, dance performances, music by DJ ‘The PM’, and speeches by Mandy Budge, Education Director and co-founder of Multikids Academy, Ghana and Chief Yvonne-Frances Igweh from Little Big Souls. Proceeds from the event will go to the Sensory Room Project for the Multikids Academy, an inclusive school based in Ghana for children with or without special needs.

The launch event will focus on introducing the mission and work of the Ivana Jane Foundation and its partners. It will also be an opportunity to highlight the current state of children with disabilities living in Africa and especially Ghana. Reports show that in some rural areas of Ghana, many children born with deformities are detrimentally labelled, abandoned and even killed at birth. There are no criminal records of infanticide of disabled babies because they are often shrouded in secrecy and steeped in tradition.

Unfortunately, the Ghanaian and African society at large still has strong cultural prejudices against those who have special needs or some form of learning disability. There is a lack of resources for these children, and limited access to basic education. Without financial support, these children and their families continue to suffer. The Ghanaian government has promised that all schools will offer an inclusive education for all children by 2015 in response to UN Millennium Goals. However, in an interview with the BBC, Mandy Budge (Education Director and Co-Founder of Multikids Academy) said “this looks unlikely to happen”.

“We are really excited to be launching officially and pleased that funds raised at this event will go towards the Sensory Room Project, which will give children the much needed facilities to explore their senses and skills. We believe that this is only the beginning and we look forward to even more opportunities to raise awareness and support the development of all children with needs”, remarked Gifty Addison-Kwaku, founder of The Ivana Jane Foundation.?

The Ivana Jane Foundation launch event is organised by PartYcipate Events and supported by Furaha Bags, Intimate Ties, Treats by Misi, Tama’Re Boutique and African Inside who will donate a percentage of their sales at the event in support of our cause.

Tickets for the event can be purchased at: http://ivanajanelaunch.eventbrite.co.uk/

About Ivana Jane

The Ivana Jane Foundation was founded in December 2012 by Gifty Addison-Kwaku, the mother of two wonderful twin girls, Ivana and Jane, who have special needs.

The Foundation’s vision is to see African children with disabilities and other exceptional needs afforded their "God-given" rights; to be valued, treated with respect and dignity, and be given the same opportunities as their non-disabled peers, enabling them to reach their full potential (spiritually, physically and intellectually), to be fully included in life within their communities.

The Foundation aims to develop a comprehensive creative arts therapy for children of African descent diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other disabilities. This will include Sporting Activities, Drama, Art Therapy, Music Therapy and Dance Therapy.

The Ivana Jane Foundation seeks to educate and equip the African community and professionals with tools, training and resources to give special needs children increased opportunities and possibilities to develop their full potential.

For clarification, further information and media enquiries, please contact:

Gifty Addison-Kwaku (giftykwaku@ivanajane.com or 07814895543)

Facebook: The Ivana Jane Foundation

Twitter: @IvanaJane_F

Website: www.ivanajane.com

About PartYcipate

PartYcipate is an organization seeking to raise awareness about socioeconomic and healthcare issues affecting poor communities through events and entertainment.

Website: www.partycipate-events.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/partycipateevents

For more information about PartYcipate, please contact Efua Edusei (efua@partycipate-events.com or 07825176818)