We survived the Policies and Procedures meeting, and we’re still smiling! Joanne really runs an efficient and productive meeting, and the positive energy continued through dinner at Buck & Honey's.
Starting with Nikki (center front) and going clockwise around the table, are Nikki, Marilyn, Jan, Mary, Arlene, Joanne, Kathy, Kim, Theresa, Marlea, and Ruth (right front).
Co-presidents Carol Graf and Priscilla Wiesner of Zeta Chapter (Kenosha) have finalized preparation of their new website. Their goal is to utilize it as a recruiting tool to attract new members, and to give access to the application for the scholarship they offer.
Check it out: adkwizeta.blogspot.com
If you are interested in creating a website for your chapter, feel free to contact our Wisconsin Technology Chairperson, Kim Gloede, at kim.gloede@gmail.com for help in creating it.
(Kim will write this post in the first person.)
An opportunity presented itself and I was able to go with a group of 9 other
members of Alpha Delta Kappa International to visit the Manyara Holistic
Center (MAHOCE) in Babati, Tanzania. Cam Johnston, the organizer of
our trip is the mother of Joshua, the Director of this amazing home and
school for children in poverty. MAHOCE had been our A∆K World
Understanding Project for two years.
We also had four amazing safari days. All our nights were at beautiful resorts.
After flying to Philadelphia to join up with six other A∆K sisters, we flew together to London, Doha (Qatar), and Kilimanjaro airport near Arusha, Tanzania, three long flights with layovers.
There we connected with the rest of the group. There were ten of us all together, most of us meeting for the first time. We became fast friends.
We were there 9 days, and what an amazing learning experience it was! For our purposes here, I will focus mainly on the visit to the Center, which was the most important part of this trip, and the most meaningful. But if you wish, you can see more details in my online photo album here.
The Manyara Holistic Center (MAHOCE) is a home and school for homeless children in eastern Tanzania, an area of 1.43 million people with no other facility like this. Their Foundation was created and named Harambee, which is a Swahili word meaning "Let's Pull Together." The first children to live there were street kids. The staff are very devoted, and several grew up there. All religions and tribes are welcome.
When we arrived, Joshua and the children welcomed us and the staff members were introduced. For a more detailed history, which was part of the welcome program when we first arrived, click here.
The children had written a song and a skit to describe what MAHOCE does for them. They also performed a traditional dance for us.
Here are the three A∆K members who are also on the Board of the Harambee Foundation, which funds MAHOCE. From left, Cam Johnston, her son Joshua, the Director, Audrey Pyle, and Eleanor Smith from A∆K-PA-Eta.
We had a tour of this amazing facility. When we saw all the areas of the center, we realized, as Cam pointed out, "You're in the real world now." It was heart-warming and heart-breaking all at the same time. Makes me think about the real meaning of 'privilege.'
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Cape Buffalo
Flamingos
Impalas
Vervet Monkey
Water Buck
and Zebras everywhere!
We also saw a pair of black rhinos off in the distance, which we were told almost never happens. One of our "Safari Sisters" was able to get a photo with her professional camera.
It was a wonderful experience. But the most lasting impression it left me with is that our Alpha Delta Kappa World Understanding Projects are so needed and so worthwhile.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN DONATING TO THIS VERY WORTHY CAUSE, please send your tax-deductible check to the
