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There wasn't a dry eye in sight as Willy Rangira, a survivor of the Rwandan genocide, spoke about the power of reading and the transformation that allowed him to discover a world of possibilities. CODE, a non-profit organization that provides books to children in the developing world, held their inaugural fundraising benefit at the Rosehill Lounge on December 10 to benefit their support programs currently operating in 12 countries in Africa. But it wasn't all serious talk and sad stories: Elage Diouf, a Senegalese West African band, was in 'da house to get the ball-goers bumping to the beat of the djembe drum and celebrate the over $30,000 raised that evening.

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Allison Teichman (left) and Joanna Wojcik

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Mariam Ware (left) and Fortunate Gorasi

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Read Africa Ball co-chair Shaenie Colterjohn (left) and Liana Bagworth

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CODE chair Judy Hauserman and speaker Willy Rangira

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Anne Meinschenk (left) and Terra McSkimming

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Lynn Beauregard (left) and Adele Imrie

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Debbie Van Vugt (left) and Nancy White

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Karen McCarthy (left) and Ariane Arend

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Maureen Campbell (left) and Shirley Malloy

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Laura Bondy (left) and Trizana Parillo

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Heather Stitt (left) and Natalie Haras

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