14+ Foundation, a non-profit organization established by Joseph Mizzi and Nchimunya Wulf in 2012 to develop, build and operate schools in rural African communities, hosted its Annual Cocktail Benefit Supporting Children’s Education in Africa, raising $750,000. The event, a celebration in support of children’s education in Africa, was attended by over 500 guests and featured a live performance by Nigerian recording artist, Runtown and a screening of “Within My Books,” a short film by Yoram Savion.
The benefit took place on Thursday, October 6, 2022 from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM at Sony Hall, formerly known as The Diamond Horseshoe, located at 235 W. 46th Street.
14+ Celebrates Achievements and Ongoing Initiatives
The event was hosted by 14+ Co-Founders, Joseph Mizzi and Nchimunya Wulf. In attendance were Broadway actor and dancer Dana Marie Ingraham, American visual artist Derrick Adams, and Olympic Silver Medalist, Daryl Homer. 14+ collaborated with Everyday People and African Chop House for the event’s music and authentic food selection.
Proceeds to Support Education Efforts in Zambia
Proceeds from the benefit will support the operations of 14+ Foundation’s two primary and secondary school campuses – Chipakata Children’s Academy and Mwabwindo School – which collectively serve over 500 students from pre-school to 12th grade, and employs close to 30 teachers, administrators and full-time workers. In addition, 14+ Foundation provides scholarships at numerous secondary schools and nursing colleges in Zambia through the RISE Zambia scholarship initiative.
All these initiatives are centered on 14+ Foundation’s core beliefs: empowering children through education; volunteerism; achieving meaningful engagement with the community; and the importance of arts-based education and quality design.
For more information about the event, please visit www.14plusfoundation.org
About 14+ Foundation
14+ Foundation, Inc. is a NYC-based 501(c)(3) non-profit established in 2012 by Joseph Mizzi and Nchimunya Wulf to develop, build and operate schools and orphanages in rural African communities.
The organization and its initiatives are centered on the following core beliefs: empowering children through education; volunteerism and working with others to realize common goals; achieving a meaningful engagement with the communities it serves; the importance of arts-based education; and that quality design can inspire and make a difference.
While 14+ has many meanings to its founders, in short 14+ represents a commitment to inspire positive lives in children and young adults in Africa through its projects and programs in order to reach their full potential.
14+ Foundation’s first project, the Chipakata Children’s Academy in Zambia, Africa, opened in January.. Each student is provided a free education including books and uniforms. Full-time housing is provided for its teachers, who are employed directly by 14+ Foundation along with other administrative and maintenance staff. A daily meal program is being incorporated to address nutritional needs. Prior to the school opening, the children of this community had to walk more than 14 km (close to 9 miles) total each day back and forth from the nearest available school.
Mwabwindo School is a primary school located in Zambia, Africa that encompasses a total of eight classrooms, separate art, computer and library spaces, as well as administrative spaces and teacher’s offices covered by a 30,000 square foot steel and metal roof canopy. The school also provides a clinic for onsite medical services and a kitchen for food preparation as well as eight teachers housing units, community gardens and a variety of playing fields. Renewable energy resources including solar and wind energy systems are integrated into both school and teacher’s housing to provide power, lighting and to deliver fresh water to students, teachers and members of the community.
To learn more about 14+ Foundation please visit, www.14plusfoundation.org
