WEDI Winterfest 2015

WEDI– Westminster Economic Development Initiative. — otherwise known as The West Side Bazaar.
Actually the West Side Bazaar is only a part of what WEDI does. They educate others about the journeys many refugees make to arrive in the U.S. (or their destination county). The years many spend in camps while they wait for papers. They arrive and may need to learn a language. Or get educated. Or study again for a skill they may have acquired in their home country. Or open a small business. WEDI helps:
Educate the children.
Provide micro loans for the small entrepreneurs.
Settle newcomers to the area.
And many other things you can review on their website (
).
This is the WEDI annual fund raiser. Held this year in the newly opened Foundry Boutique Hotel on Elmwood.
Then there was the introduction of the Rich Products Entrepreneur of the Year — one of the favorite booths at the West Side Bazaar — Zelalem Gemmeda — chef behind the Ethiopian food the Bazaar.
Zelalam told us her story. Immigrating to the U.S. Her path to running her place in the Bazaar. Her dreams for her children and herself.
There was a silent and live auction. A variety of donated goods. Most found something of interest to bid on. Cash Cunningham was the live auction auctioneer (if you’ve been to a local auction you have likely seen him in action).
WEDI is doing some interesting things in Buffalo. This is only a small part. But it was a lot of fun for the night.