Zara Elizabeth Ricks wants to go to Kenya. Not to go on safari or to visit the coastal beaches, but to help Somali refugees and bring medicine to the Dadaab refugee camp. Somalia is in the middle of its worst drought in 60 years and millions of people are fleeing the country. Volunteers are sorely needed to help refugees arriving in Kenya.
Ricks will be traveling with the Voices of Africa Foundation, a non-governmental organization working to fight poverty in Kenya. But before she steps on a plane, she needs to raise funds for her ticket and nominal living expenses. (Voices of America, a not-for-profit organization which works on a small budget, requires volunteers to pay their own way.)
This Friday, Aug. 19, Over Easy Café will be hosting a benefit for Community to Kenya, a fundraising campaign Ricks formed to support her travel expenses. The benefit runs from 6-10 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. There will be a silent auction, which will feature yoga, LaZoom tickets and local art and jewelry. There will also be a $1 raffle for gift certificates to restaurants, massage, music lessons and other prizes. “Even minor donations of $5 or less can help an entire family in this time of crisis in Africa,” says Ricks. For more information visit http://communitytokenya.blogspot.com
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