Experience African Excellence at Taste of Africa

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 1, 2016) — Taste of Africa is an annual event organized by the University of Kentucky African Students' Association to celebrate and educate the UK and Lexington communities on the diverse cultures of Africa. The event will focus on educating the community, collecting donations and bringing an intricate show to the university.

This year, the African Students' Association launched the project called "Save a Life, Give a Dream" in collaboration with Students for a Healthy Africa. The project will fund the Mukanzo Orphanage in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which focuses on helping oppressed orphans and abandoned children.

“I personally like the idea of Taste of Africa because it is just one of many campus events that shows the diversity that can be found here at the university,” said Simon Mobolaji Olafbaju, president of the African Students’ Association. “ It is an opportunity for minority students to share stories and information related to culture, upbringing, heritage, family values and more. Taste of Africa is also an opportunity for us to give back to the underprivileged, and it is food that we touch the lives of people across the globe in the capacity that we are afforded.”

In the past, money raised from Taste of Africa has been used to support various service projects that help disadvantaged communities in Africa and other parts of the world. African Students’ Association events have supported organizations such as Aids Volunteers (AVOL), Medical Bridges, Shoulder-To-Shoulder Medical program, Children’s Miracle Network, International Book Project, Kilimanjaro Women’s Development Association (KIWODEA) and others.

Tickets are $10 each and the event will take place on April 9, in Memorial Hall. The doors open at 5 p.m. and the show will begin at 6 p.m.

UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue

MEDIA CONTACT: Katy Bennett or Rebecca Stratton, katy.bennett@uky.edu or rebecca.stratton@uky.edu, 859-257-1909/859-323-2395