MARCH 2019 NEWSLETTER
JAMBO NEWS! Jambo Friends & Supporters of Harambee Centre!
THANK YOU!
As we reflect back on 2018 activities, we are constantly reminded of your generous in-kind and direct financial support that made it possible for us to reach out in ways we wouldn’t have otherwise. So as we approach an exciting spring season, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your past and continued support! Through these years, your support has transformed many lives locally and globally.
With your very thoughtful and faithful support in 2018, We Create a Better World for Women and Children in Africa!
Local Intercultural Education
We inform, educate, and enlighten people of our local community about the cultures and realities of the vast and varied societies of Africa.
Throughout the year, we hosted many conversational African dinners with a highlight in April, when we hosted a successful Annual African Dinner Benefit for the Ambulance Program. Hope to see you at this year’s Annual event.
Throughout the year, we participated in several school programs in Portland Public Schools through Africa Is Not a Country curriculum
We also want to express our deepest condolences for the sudden passing of our longest serving Master Drummer, Mr. Chata Addy for our African Music curriculum in schools.
African Community Development
We pull together with our local community for Annual fundraising events to support self-sustainable projects in partnership with rural communities in Kenya and Uganda in healthcare, education, and small businesses for women and their families
Kenya – Medical
Purchased and delivered a much needed and appreciated Ambulance Service to Chwele Health Clinic in western Kenya during summer time. This has literally changed the trajectory of healthcare for this region which has the potential to reach out to at least 60,000 people. See the link below to witness the exciting celebration and dedication of your amazing gift to this rural and grateful community. We know that many lives are being saved because you gave – thank you!
https://youtu.be/X5bzcXRkiXs
Coordinated and hosted 2 medial teams at Chwele Health Clinic, Kenya. Some stayed for 7 weeks. Most of them were additionally able to enjoy some site seeing such as the Nairobi National Park and great wildlife Safari to Maasai Mara in Kenya and the source of River Nile in Uganda.
Started renovation and expansion of Chwele Health Clinic to prepare for a government National Health Insurance Fund accreditation.
While we are making a difference, these trips help us to enhance the quality of life in rural Kenya through healthcare, education, and small businesses for women and their families.
While we do this, we are experiencing and appreciating the beautiful culture of the local people through site seeing, music, food, home visitations, sharing stories, celebrating our work together, and fostering lifetime friendships.
Uganda – Education
During the summer, I also visited our Ugandan Project for the first time. I was so humbled by the warm welcome and hospitality of that community – the Baganda people. We have been supporting constructing a dormitory for at least 420 girls at St. Andrews High School in Matale. It is being funded by the Nike Corporation Higher Ever Fund through the Black Employee Network. It is an amazing project which will change the lives of thousands of young women who will pass through this school for many generation to come.
Cross-Cultural Exchange Education
We connect and build bonds of understanding, respect, mutually beneficial and lasting relationships between people in the Pacific Northwest and people of Africa
Our sister-school program continues to thrive. Southridge High School in Beaverton, Oregon continues their very successful 15-year relationship with St. Andrews High School in Matale, Uganda. Through Southridge Uganda Club sponsorship, two students (Joan Namakula and Allen Katushabe) and their Principal, Madam Judith Naluyima were hosted at Southridge for 3 weeks in February. During this visit, one of the host families (Greg and Michelle Brinks) to one of the students gave a large gift to fund 420 beds for the girls’ dormitory. Much gratitude to the Brinks family!
Chwele Girls’ High School Peace Ambassadors’ Club student leader, Linda Sanyanda and her school Principal, Madam Agatha Kundu were invited by the new Mountainside High School in Beaverton, Oregon into a cross-cultural conversation in April. Their trip was partly sponsored by John Allcott, MD from Eugene – thank you John! Their 3 week visit culminated into a sister-school relationship with many exciting plans to learn about each other’s schools and countries.
There are conversations happening at Southridge and Mountainside High Schools about reciprocal visitations to their sister-school in Kenya and Uganda in 2020. Wellsprings Friends School students in Eugene are having similar conversations to work on water projects with peer students in Kenya.
St Andrews Girls’ Dormitory, Matale, Uganda
Over the last couple months, we have seen friends and family give to the Girls dormitory work in ways we never imagined. We thank all of you and the team at the Nike Ever Higher Fund for the grant that is making all this possible, Mwebale nnyo (thank you).
They say that a photo speaks a thousand words. As such, please see below photo documenting the stage of construction as of end of November 2018. This was taken by Kendra Lwebuga, during the family’s recent visit to Uganda. They were very impressed by what the community continues to do in partnering with us to finish this work. They thank you all for what you continue to in making this happen.The second picture shows, Thomas Lwebuga sharing a few words to the students during their assembly when he visited.With this progress, we only have $80,000 remaining for us to finish with the construction which includes, plumbing, electricity, concrete flooring and painting scopes. When finished around 400 girls will have a safe-haven to concentrate on school on the first floor, 5-6 teachers will have places to live in the basement and a main/examination classroom/s on the third. This will make a huge impact in this community to allow the next generation of women leaders.
As you begin the next year, we kindly request that you continue to include the Girls’ Dorm Project in your 2019 giving. Together we continue to change lives and make an impact that will last for generations! Donate Today by clicking on the link below!
Alternatively, please help us spread the word to your community; we know there is power in numbers and power in personal connections. As always, we are appreciative for your support and generosity,
Mwebale nnyo (thank you) for the continued support.,
Harambee Centre Team.
Exciting News in 2019
In March, we welcome Marianne Darwinkel, MD and Mr. Reuben Nabie (Physician Assistant) from Kenya. They are co-owners of North Coast Medical Training College in Mombasa, Kenya. They come here to share their story of starting a new campus at Chwele Community Resource and Peace Centre this September to serve a population of over 1 million people in the Bungoma County region.
In April, Grace and Paul together with Mari Kay Evans-Smith, MD of West Hills Friends Church lead a volunteer medical team of 25 to Makhonge Health Centre near Chwele, Kenya.
This summer, Grace and Paul will spend a few months in Kenya to partner with the Chwele community to modify and add to the Community Centre space for College classroom requirements.
North Coast Medical Training College campus opens this September to offer courses for Certificates in Community Health and Development for 60 students.
Chwele is in the process of hiring a Director to oversee all development projects in healthcare, education, and small businesses. This position will also liaison closely with the new College function.
With much excitement and gratitude to Nike Corporation Higher Ever Fund, we anticipate the completion of the construction of the girls’ dormitory at St. Andrews High School in Matale, Uganda. It will house at least 420 young women at a time whose lives will be changed forever!