F.J. McElligott's Taste of Africa Dinner

Two weeks ago F.J. McElligott High School had a dinner at a local restaurant in Mattawa where the school is located. The students helped out in the kitchen and with the serving. They also had a silent auction with items from Kenya. This small high school has done a wonderful job of fundraising for our team over the past few years. They are led by a young vibrant teacher named Chris Davis and she motivated the students to help out through one class each year. This year it was a grade 10 class and they have raised almost $2000.00 between a couple of small fundraisers and their big dinner. In the past two years they have raised almost $5000.00 which has helped build an elementary school in Kolongolo Village in Kenya. Asante Sana, (thank you in Swahili) to all of you.

Some of the students who helped at the dinner are pictured above with Sandy.

Luncheon and Fashion Show

What a great fundraiser we had on Wednesday June 24th. The Ram's Head, a local restaurant, had a luncheon and we added a fashion show and the models were team members who had been to Kenya during the past few years. It was a great luncheon by Roger and the fashions by Joyce's linerie and women's shoppe were lovely. We had many gifts to purchase tickets on and a wonderful selection of door prizes donated by Tracey Vigars, Joyce's lingerie and Womens wear and the Ram's Head Restaurant. I think everyone had a wonderful time and we raised a nice amount for our Kenya work.

Jo-anne Lumsden (in pink) commentated the show and Noreen Brewer in black pants and white top, was a model.

Fashion Show and Luncheon

This Wednesday (June 24th) we are having our second annual luncheon and fashion show. It is held in Callander, Ont., in a lovely restaurant called the Ram's Head. It is owned by Roger and Diane Arsenault. Roger is the chef and they have a wonderful menu. Roger and Diane do a special menu for the luncheon and it will be delicious. We sold all 32 tickets out within a week of putting them up for sale.

Joyce's lingerie and ladies clothing store from North Bay do the fashions for the show. The models are people who have gone to Kenya with me on a team, or whose husbands have made the journey.

We also have a small sale of Kenyan items and a draw on 15 different baskets. It is a fun time and a wonderful way to tell people of our programs and what we are doing in Kenya. I will keep everyone posted on the success of the event.

We now have our plane tickets for our trip in September and time is getting closer to our departure and it seems we still have so much to do before our trip. My friend Daniel is keeping me posted on all the projects that we help with and excitement is beginning to build in team members.

Speaking in New Liskeard

Today was a great day. I had the pleasure of speaking to a group of women at a United Church in New Liskeard, a town north of my city. They were wonderful listeners and asked questions after my talk. I am always amazed and pleased at how interested people are in what our Hope2Kenya group is doing. That is what encourages me to keep making people aware of the plight of the Kenyan children and widows.

Thanks to all the women in New Liskeard who came out and listened, participated and purchased products made by the people of Kenya.

Running for Kenyan Kids

On May 24th I ran a marathon in Ottawa to raise funds to build an orphanage for children with AIDS. The marathon was not an easy one but I managed to finish. I raised $3100.00 which will get the orphanage up and running in the Kitale area of Kenya. I started running when I was older and ran my first marathon at 60. I try to run one each year and this was my fifth marathon. Raising the money was wonderful, but I met a wonderful young woman on that run named Marg from Belleville, Ont. This was her first marthon and she joined me at about kilometer 30. I was having a tough time at that moment and she appeared by my side asking if she could walk with me (I was walking at this time). Before she came along I was thinking about quitting, which is really not in my vocabulary. Marg and I finished the race together and meeting her was a bonus. She was a true inspiration.

I told her all about the work I do in Kenya and she was very inspired by my story. She is much younger than I am and is a nurse. Going to Kenya is on her list of things to do when she is retired. The orphanage will become a reality and I have also made a new friend. Thanks Marg for you inspiration and kindness.

Milkbag bedmats for Kenyan kids

Sandra Brownlee has been collecting plastic milk bags which can be woven into bedmats for Kenyan children. She has already collected about 1000 and has friends (who have learned to crochet the bedmats at workshops) working to provide the finished product.
More information and photos are contained in the "Kids Helping Kids" page on the Hope2Kenya website.