Medrar Foundation member Ali Fadlallah stands with impoverished children in Africa. PHOTO: Courtesy of Medrar.

DEARBORN - The Medrar Foundation is hosting an Iftar dinner Aug. 4 at the Islamic Center of America here. Proceeds from the fundraiser will be used to support the charity’s next humanitarian mission in Ethiopia. Last year’s humanitarian mission sought to build water wells in Somalia, after the worst humanitarian crisis on the planet struck there. 

That mission was a success, and proceeds from donors went to good use. 

Since last year five water wells have been built in Somalia that have already provided 55,000 people with clean drinkable water. 

Donations from this year’s dinner will go towards the Foundation’s Oasis Ethiopia Orphanage Project. The initiative includes water wells, agriculture project for food sustainability, community medical center, school to teach orphans as well as locals and a orphanage to house 400 children. Through the project 

Medrar will offer several workshops to train locals on many diverse skills needed to sustain the overall project. The event’s keynote speaker is Wendell Anthony, president of the Detroit NAACP. 

His involvement with the foundation will help bridge the African and Arab American communities together in their efforts to help people on the impoverished continent of Africa. “We look at everyone as our brothers and sisters,” said Medrar Foundation member Ali Fadlallah. 

While there are several countries in the Arab world that need humanitarian aid, the international community has declared that the worse living conditions in the world are in Africa.  Tickets for the Iftar dinner are $100 each. For more information on how to donate or volunteer with the Foundation visit www.medrar.org.lb. To purchase tickets for the event call 313.593.0000.