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Photo credit: Kristen Tomaiolo
Three residents from Flying Kites Kinangop Children’s Centre in the Kenyan highlands
Photo credit: Kristen Tomaiolo
Flying Kites founders Leila de Bruyne, Justine Axelsson, and Caitlin McCurn enjoy time with the residents of Flying Kites Kinangop Children’s Centre in the Kenyan highlands
Flying Kites, a non-profit organization, will host a fundraiser on Thursday, April 24 from 6-9 p.m. at Sardella’s Italian Restaurant on Memorial Blvd. in Newport.
The event will raise funds for a Kenyan orphanage (run by Flying Kites) and plans for a children’s center for orphaned, abused and homeless children in Kenya. The organization, started in 2006 by a small group of Salve Regina University students, has made great strides in caring for children in Kenya and has made a difference in many children’s lives. Minimum donation for the event is $20. The event offers hors d’oeuvres, a brief presentation regarding plans for the orphanage, a silent auction/raffle and cash bar. After volunteering at an inner-city Kenyan orphanage in 2006, a small group of Salve Regina University students started Flying Kites with the goal of buying land and building an orphanage in the countryside so the children could enjoy a better quality of life. In 2007, Flying Kites opened the Flying Kites Kinangop Children’s Centre (FKKCC). The center, on a ten-acre farm, currently cares for ten children and also has a community outreach program. The children are provided with necessities such as food, education, clothing, and medicine. To meet the needs of the area’s children, the Flying Kites Kinangop Children’s Centre organization hopes to provide care for over 300 orphaned children. Bridget Sheerin, fundraiser chair and one of the Flying Kites founders, has been to Kenya twice to care for the children and plan for the future centre. Sheerin commented, “My fondest memory of my most recent trip was spending Christmas Day with the children and seeing their faces as they opened the first presents they’ve ever received. Once you get to know these children, you just want to help them. I know it isn’t feasible for many people to take trips to Africa to aid the children.but it is a huge help to attend the fundraiser on April 24th. We hope people come out, hear more about the children’s center, support it and enjoy the evening.” The silent auction/raffle items include art by local artists and Salve Regina University art department members, gift certificates from local merchants, and more. Tickets for the event are available in advance by calling Bridget Sheerin at 631.848.3032 or at the door the evening of April 24. For additional information on Flying Kites visit their website www.flyingkiteskenya.org.
