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Modibo Diarra: Not Without My Wife & Daughter

May 16, 2012 - National Basketball League of Canada (NBL Canada) Saint John Mill Rats

(Saint John, NB): Modibo Diarra, a member of the Saint John Mill Rats Professional Basketball team, is currently trapped in Mali, Africa with his wife Mariam and his three year old daughter Cindy. He returned home at the beginning of April to rescue his family during a coup d'etat.

Amnesty International documents reveal that Mali is currently suffering the 'worst crisis' in half a century after a coup in the capital and a rebel takeover in the country's north, as reported in the Washington Post earlier today.

Moving his wife and child to Saint John, NB, has been a plan of Diarra's for quite some time now, but due to violence and turmoil in Mali, it needs to happen now. In an effort to help him return home, members of the local community have gotten together to coordinate a series of fundraising initiatives. In order to secure Visas and cover legal fees and transportation costs for the family, $15,000 will be needed.

When asked earlier this season about what inspires him, Modibo answered, "Fighting for my little girl to have a better life".

On Sunday, May. 27th, a table will be set up at Rhoda's Flea market from 8am - 2pm selling tickets on a Ray Butler painting and baked goods.

On Saturday, June. 2nd, a dinner and live auction will take place at 6pm at Jake's Sports Bra, a sponsor of the Saint John Mill Rats. For $15.00, guests can enjoy an order of wings and a drink while taking part in the live auction. Tickets are on sale until Monday, May. 28th. To purchase, please contact Carla Vautour at 833-1184 or Ruth Rayburn-Arseneault at 849-7792.

On Sunday, June. 10th at the Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Rothesay, a multicultural dinner and silent auction will take place. Guest speaker will be Jenipher Chitate. Directly following, a concert with various music talent will take place. Guests will have the chance to try food from Fiji, Turkey, Africa and more!

Tickets for all events will also be available on May. 27th at Rhoda's Flea Market. For news on Twitter, please use #AfricatoCanada.

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National Basketball League of Canada Stories from May 16, 2012


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