Connecting with Kenya: Concert in Bethel Park benefits African home for girls
Cana Cooper shows a photo of Fridah Nafula, whom her family sponsors through Hekima Place.
The St. Thomas More School Children’s Choir
The letters exchanged by Cana Cooper and Fridah Nafula travel more than 7,000 miles, between Upper St. Clair and the African nation of Kenya, and the girls enjoy learning what they have in common.
“I like flamingos, and so does she,” said 12-year-old Cana. “We both seem to like to play outside and be active.”
The latest correspondence from Fridah, who’s a year younger, displays fine penmanship and proper English, which is widely spoken in her country.
“I hope you are doing well in school,” she writes, “because I do my best in school.”
Education is a major point of pride for Fridah and the other residents of Hekima Place, which provides a home for orphaned or vulnerable Kenyan girls while preparing them for a productive future.
Founded 11 years ago, Hekima Place – the name reflects the Swahili word for wisdom – now cares for 86 girls who otherwise would face extreme difficulties in their poverty-stricken environment.
Cana’s parents, Bob and Mia, sponsor Fridah financially as she continues to learn, with an eye toward high school and college. And Cana is helping with her participation in an event to benefit Hekima Place in general.
She is a member of the St. Thomas More School Children’s Choir, which will perform at an Advent Christmas concert scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 in the sanctuary of the Bethel Park church with which the school is affiliated. The choir also was among the performers at the 2015 event.
“Their presence has really made a difference in the atmosphere of the program,” event chairman Jon Oberle said, “and their presence has also helped tremendously with the attendance.”
Other musicians taking part are Nathan Bellas, organ and piano; Jeanne Tupper, cello; Julie McGough, flute; Juan Jaramillo, violin; and classical guitarists Jim Ferla and Dave Marcinizyn. The program is under the direction of pianist Kathy English, a Mt. Lebanon resident and treasurer of the Hekima Place board of directors.
Last year’s concert, also at St. Thomas More Church, marked the first time the choir sang for a program other than school-related performances.
“All of the school families were really on board,” choir director Kelly Wdowiak said about the logistics of participating in a weekend event. “It was something that I was really glad to be able to do, and I think the kids enjoyed it, as well. There’s something to be said for children singing for children.”
This year, the choir will perform “Go Tell It On the Mountain” and “Infant Holy,” an arrangement that combines a Polish carol with “Silent Night.”
A free-will offering for those who enjoy the music will go toward Hekima Place, a registered nonprofit organization.
“We’re very busy and always at capacity,” Katie Matson, U.S. executive director, reported. “The question is always, ‘Can you just take one more?’ because there is so much need there.”
The overall executive director, Kate Fletcher, is from Pittsburgh and founded Hekima Place after volunteering in Kenya to help children who were orphaned as a result of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country.
“It’s a real Pittsburgh story,” Matson said. “The board is mostly from Pittsburgh. Most of our donors are still from Pittsburgh. It’s really the story of a lot of people coming together and each giving what they can to make a huge impact.”
For more information, visit www.hekimaplace.org.