One Girl Can is proud to announce its sixth annual IWANTtoBE fundraiser presented by Beedie Foundation. Taking place on Thursday, April 23, the event will bring together Vancouver’s community for a memorable evening in support of bridging the gender gap. Year after year, IWANTtoBE helps fund the organization’s mission to eradicate poverty and gender inequality through education. Through this signature fundraising event and other initiatives, One Girl Can is able to provide education and mentorship to thousands of girls in the poorest regions of Africa.
Last year’s event filled Vancouver’s Imperial Theatre with over 400 dynamic influencers and business leaders who came together to raise a record-breaking $530,000 — with all proceeds going towards expanding three dormitories and adjoining washrooms for the Magomano Girls School in Kenya, providing 600 bed spaces and offering 50 university scholarships. This year, One Girl Can is expecting 100 more attendees with proceeds supporting the rebuilding of both a primary and secondary school for 600 students called Ushirika School in the Kibera Slum — the largest slum in Africa. The event also hopes to raise funds for 80 new university scholarships for girls.
One Girl Can is taking the event to a new level this year, hosting the fundraiser at the iconic Commodore Ballroom and featuring two inspirational guests from Kenya. Millicent Mutheu will graduate with a BA in journalism this spring and Royashley Mbuthi, a fourth-year high school student, is the recipient of a university scholarship at the age of 16. Both these bright and articulate young women will address gala guests and speak about their experiences with One Girl Can and what the program has meant to them. In addition, celebrated actress and One Girl Can ambassador Mackenzie Davis will also be in attendance for this empowering evening.
“Many people in our community have been with us since our very first event six years ago,” says Lotte Davis, CEO and Founder of One Girl Can. “Their belief in our cause has changed thousands of lives and will unquestionably begin to impact the gender gap in Kenya. When you invest in one girl, the multiplier effect kicks in and hundreds more benefit beyond her, in her family, her community and her country.”
The event, emceed by Global BC News TV personality Fiona Forbes and made possible by presenting sponsor Beedie Foundation and event company Countdown Events, also features a coveted line up of silent and live auction items. With two five-star African safaris, a beautiful landscape painting donated by celebrated Canadian artist Ross Penhall, local weekend getaways, top Vancouver restaurant experiences and much more, guests will have plenty of opportunities to bid in support of girls’ education in Africa. Attendees will also receive a gift bag from AG Hair, valued at $98, a complimentary drink and sumptuous appetizers throughout the evening.
“People in Vancouver have been incredibly supportive about educating girls in Africa,” says Davis. “I’m looking forward to introducing the two girls from Kenya to our community to attest to the enormous difference their support has made in their lives. We hope our two special guests will have a transformative experience for all who attend.”
Tickets to One Girl Can’s IWANTtoBE event presented by Beedie Foundation are priced at $125 and can be purchased online at Onegirlcan.com.
This year’s IWANTtoBE event is generously sponsored by Beedie Foundation, TD, KPMG, Great Little Box Company, Odlum Brown, Univar Solutions, Pacific Reach Properties, Archibald Real Estate Group, Contemporary Office Interiors, Southern Butler Price, IA Financial Group, Clio, First Light Foundation, and HUB Financial. In-kind and media partners also include AG Hair, Hemlock Printers, Segura Viudas, Avenue PR, Daily Hive and Global BC News.
About One Girl Can
One Girl Can supports girls in Kenya through their holistic approach called Cycle of Empowerment. The program supports girls from the time they leave elementary school until they graduate from university and gain meaningful employment. The three pillars of One Girl Can, We Build. We Educate. We Mentor, are the foundation of the organization. Onegirlcan.com
