Sozo Children offers Ugandan experience at fundraising dinner

The Birmingham-based Sozo Children nonprofit that aids orphans in Uganda has scheduled its seventh annual fundraising dinner for Aug. 26 at the group’s  Sozo Trading Co. thrift store and warehouse in Avondale.

But the dinner won’t be like a typical fundraising dinner, said Suzanne Owens, executive director for the Christian-focused nonprofit.

The event, called “Passport to Uganda,” will be designed to give people a taste of what life is like in Uganda, she said.

Guests will be able to sample African food and see what it’s like to fetch and carry water, Owens said. They’ll also be able to make African toys, she said. But the dinner itself will feature American fare, including appetizers and a catered meal. 

There also will be a silent auction and block party.

It’s designed to be a family-oriented event, and dress will be casual, Owens said. 

Tickets are only $30 this year, compared to $80 for last year’s dinner at the Hyatt Regency Birmingham – The Wynfrey Hotel. Corporate sponsor tables also are available for $2,500 and $3,500 and include 15 tickets, corporate signs and other bonuses, Owens said.

The event — at 4 41st St. S. — is scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. and last until 10 or 10:30 p.m.

Last year’s dinner raised about $170,000, Owens said. Money raised will be used to build houses for Ugandan orphans. Sozo Children now cares for 120 children, including providing housing for 80 children and meals and schooling for all 120, Owens said.

The nonprofit now rents houses for the children but plans to build about 50 new ones on 28 acres the group bought near Kampala, Owens said. The plan is to serve 300 children with eight children in each home, she said. The first phase of 15 homes is expected to cost $1 million because the government requires earthquake-proof homes in that region, she said.

The master plan for the village includes a church, a primary and secondary school, a medical clinic, clean water wells and agricultural areas for farming.

To purchase tickets for the dinner, go to sozochildren.org and click on the events page. For more information, call Owens at 401-8968.