Soundings 10/17/06
Visiting Rotarians: Mark Larson, John Moles, Ann Jones, Martha Steinborn
Guests: Mary Lodge (Chaplain at Whatcom Hospice)
Announcements
Grape & Gourmet
Denise Bosman says almost all VIP tickets are gone, but 75 or so of the regular tickets still available. There will be no ticket sales the night of event. Bill Unrein will cover Denise for the next few weeks.
Organizers' Meeting: 5:00 PM this Thursday at Big Fat Fish for committee heads and anyone else that wants to come.
Barry says we still need a few more restaurants.
Bucks in the Bay
Barry Kramer for upcoming wedding anniversary;
Bill Unrein for new grandchild Hayden James;
Martha Steinborn for having fun living at Lake Wenachee, (Leavenworth Rotary);
Steve Brummel thanks Dan Harris restaurant for donating meal to Viking football players;
Curtis Dye for trip with wife to Memphis TN, Graceland;
Carol Beecher for missed meeting, trip to Captiva Island, FL with sisters;
Stan Dyer reports that John Sleeth open heart surgery was successful, also Stan's own operation on eye.
Christine Palmerton won $1000 from WA Lotto, upcoming trip to MI, good dinner at Kramers.
John Templeton for last week Husky game, and glad for Seahawk's victory.
Sergeant at Arms by Ron Hardesty
New City Logo, Zhemen University, drunk Noweigan breaks into jail, North Carolina jail, Atlanta GA woman's bumber sticker.
Viewed a video about Whatcom Hospice.
Program
Brad Clure introduced Sarah O'Brien, born and raised in the Northwest. She and husband adopted 30 kids and take care of another 300 in Dunga Kenya .
They also founded the Dunga Orphanage Project with her husband. Sarah's husband, Onyanga, is from Kenya and also a former orphan. She took her first trip there in 2003. Dunga Beach located on Lake Victoria,; a fishing village. HIV has been spreading rapidly, also tribalism contributing to instances of genocide. Leaving the children's population of 4000 kids with over 1600 orphans. Dunga Orphan School serves over 400 kids. The school help feeds 400 kids rice and beans daily, their only meal each day.
An Anacortes school decided to adopt this school - donated used clothing. A new project is to expand a medical program - basic needs for children. John L Scott helped donate the construction of a house there where Sarah raises 9 adopted girls and also houses another 30 kids. Creating a family-based orphanage, stability and love. Keeping siblings together. They hired 3 local women to work with the kids, another 2 who do cooking and cleaning. The created a community farm - trying to be self sufficient, teaching farming to the kids. Safe water. Homeschooling, art and music classes. Older kids schooled in town at village school, and have a tutor. Teaching children to give back to their community, equipping them with tools to change Dunga in the future. Please consider donating: Donations could go to feeding program, or could go to medical program or education program, child sponsorship, or come visit to volunteer. How to make donations? Go to any branch of Wells Fargo Bank c/o "Dunga Orphanage Project"
Kathy Cheledin wins the raffle
Respectfully Submitted,
Stowe Talbot