The following is a press release from Afaan Publications.

The clip shows the highlights from the Nov. 3, 2013, Melbourne launch of Afaan’s campaign to raise $50,000 in November! The fundraising campaign will continue in major cities around the globe. In addition to that, there’s an online fundraising campaign @ Pozible.com/afaan

PRESS RELEASE
5 November, 2013

Over 1000 Oromo intellectuals gathered on 3rd November, 1991, to unanimously decide the Oromo alphabet “Qubee” would adopt a Latin script. Exactly 22 years later, a plan was launched to revitalizeQubee: the initiative was called Afaan Publications.

Commencing at the University of Melbourne on Sunday at 1pm, over 500 people gathered to witness the historical story of the Oromo people unfold. As teenage performers took to the stage, they entertained scores of children and prepared the crowd for the release of Afaan’s first poster products designed specifically for children.

Toltu Tufa took to the stage after the crowd watched a 27-minute documentary, which explained the journey of how the Afaan Publications was established as a publishing company and how its products were developed. A standing ovation welcomed Toltu and few dry eyes were left in the room as she commenced her speech.

Toltu spoke powerfully to the purpose of Afaan Publications as well as her vision and aims for Afaan’s current campaign: to raise $50,000 during the month of November 2013 – which will allow her to print children’s Oromo text book series in 2014.

Toltu also announced the international fundraisers who will host a fundraiser event during the campaign month, auctioned the first Afaan poster series (available at the Afaan online shop, post campaign – December 15, 2013) and welcomed to the stage historical Oromo figure and special guest, Mr. Mahdi Mudde, author of the first Oromo dictionary.

Other distinguished guests included Professor Joseph Lo Bianco, Associate Dean of the Graduate school of Education at the University of Melbourne, who developed Australia’s first language teaching policy; Dr. Teresa De Fazio Victoria’s Multicultural Commissioner; Clyde Sharrady, CEO Africa Media Australia and multiple representatives from Senator Adam Bandt’s office.

Afaan Publications’ current campaign is featured on www.pozible.comwhere pledges are accepted during the month of November/December 2013. Pledges can also be made through the Afaan websitewww.afaan.com.au, or by attending one of the fundraisers hosted by international Oromo communities (see list below). Each fundraiser will showcase Afaan merchandise, documentaries and cartoons for children in Afaan Oromo.

Afaan’s online store, which will sell posters, wristbands and tee-shirts, will be available after the campaign ends on December 15th, 2013.

The top 3 fundraisers around the world will also feature in the upcoming 2014 Afaan Publications world tour. All contributions via the website (paypal/credit card), Pozible website, or local fundraising will are strongly encouraged and may the best international team win!

All the best,
The Afaan Publications Team!

Pledge your financial support to the Afaan campaign:Pozible.com/afaan

INTERNATIONAL HOST FUNDRAISER CITIES:

Melbourne, Australia
Sunday, 3rd November, 2013
1pm
Melbourne University
Swanston St., Melbourne
Contact: Gemeda – 0432487 141

Minneapolis, USA
Saturday, 23rd November, 2013
2pm-6pm
465 Mackubin St., St. Paul, MN 55103
Contact: Oromo community of Minnesota – (651) 757–3040

Cairo, Egypt
Saturday, 23rd November, 2013
5pm­-11pm
Arab Ma’aadii Masgiida Masrii
Contact: Ismail Aliywo -­ 20 127 180 2586

San Francisco, USA
Sunday, 24th November, 2013
1pm
Oromo Christian Lutheran Church
100 Hacienda Ave. – San Lorenzo (and surrounding areas)
Contact: Mrs. Mergo – (650) 714­‐2098

Washington DC, USA
Saturday, 30th November, 2013
7pm
Oromo Center
811 Upshur Ave. NW, Washington, DC
Contact: Bontu Itana – (651) 239-4076

Toronto, Canada
Saturday, 30th November, 2013
3pm
94 Kenhar Drive, Unit 3, Toronto, Ontario
Contact: Sayyo – (647) 982-8150

Nairobi, Kenya
Saturday, 30th November, 2013
1pm
Eastleigh/City Park
Contact: Ebba Abba Abbamurti – 0711621232

Seattle, USA
Sunday, 1st December, 2013
12pm
45 21st Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98108
MLK JR
Contact: Tesfaye/Abdi – (206) 504-0981

Tingvoll, Norway
Saturday, 7th December, 2013
4pm
Tingvoll and Møre og Romsdal, Norway
Contact: Aadam Fardoo – +47 9671 7948

Aad. Toltu Tufa, Founder and Team Leader, Afaan Publications

THE AFAAN STORY:

The first clip shows the highlights from the Nov. 3, 2013, Melbourne launch of Afaan’s campaign to raise $50,000 in November! The fundraising campaign will continue in major cities around the globe. In addition to that, there’s an online fundraising campaign @ Pozible.com/afaan