Sunday Brunch On March 2

Sylvia's Children and Home Away From Home Academy invite you to

Sunday Brunch

Featured Entertainment - The N.E.R.D.S.!
Special Guests Virago, CJ Marsini, Doug Young

Lakeside Manor - Highway 36 East - Hazlet

Erica Cai, 2nd Grade: Help us make a difference!

Sunday, March 2, 2008, Noon to 4 PM

" Children Helping Children" is a family friendly event!

Children are encouraged to attend!

• There will also be a silent auction featuring sports memorabilia.
  
  
• This is a fundraiser for Sylvia's Children, a 501(c)3 organization that is raising funds to support children in Uganda who have been orphaned by AIDS. These orphans attend the Mbiriizi Primary school in Masaka, Uganda, the sister school to Home Away From Home Academy in Aberdeen, NJ.

"There is no greater joy nor greater reward than to make a fundamental difference in someone's life" Sister Mary Rose McGleady

For reservations or information, call Sylvia's Children @ 732-946-2711 or send an e-mail to Sylvia@allenconsulting.com.

Guitars To Bring Music To Uganda

As part of its continuing efforts to improve the lives of children at the Mbiriizi Primary School, Uganda, Sylvia’s Children, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, has launched a drive for acoustic guitars. In addition to providing for the children’s basic and educational needs, Sylvia’s Children wants to enrich the lives of the children through the arts.

In June of 2007, Sylvia Allen, founder of Sylvia’s Children, visited the school with a group of 14 volunteers, including her adult children Michele and Tony Costa. They brought guitars collected from the ’07 drive and Tony, an accomplished musician and guitar teacher, provided music lessons to the children. The children were enthralled with the lessons; during Sylvia’s return trip in December, they couldn’t wait to demonstrate what they had been practicing. Sylvia’s Children hopes to be able to supply the school with additional guitars so that more of the children can learn to play. Guitars in working condition can be dropped off or sent to Sylvia’s Children, 89 Middletown Road, Holmdel, New Jersey 07733. Monetary donations are also welcomed.

Sylvia’s Children was founded in 2004 after Sylvia Allen returned from a humanitarian trip to Uganda, Africa. The children at the Mbiriizi Primary School “adopted” her as their honorary grandmother. Allen saw the ravages the AIDS pandemic had on the community and was compelled to help her newly acquired grandchildren. She founded Sylvia’s Children to feed, clothe and house orphans in Masaka and provide education for as many children as possible. For more information please visit www.sylviaschildren.org or call 732-946-2711.

Young Ugandan Voices Raise Spirits In Palo Alto

African Performers Are Ambassadors Of Rich Culture!

The students at Keys School in Palo Alto got a unique music, history, geography and cultural lesson.

Their teachers are 22 professionally trained dancers and musicians from Uganda. Collectively the artists, who range in age from eight to 18, are the Spirit of Uganda.

On Wednesday, the performers shared their talent and passion during a day of classroom activities, a performance and a play presented to students.

Spirit of Uganda is the public face of Empower African Children. The nonprofit organization focuses its efforts on transforming the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children in East Africa.

Spirit of Uganda is traveling around the U.S. through May to raise money for and awareness about Ugandan children orphaned by AIDS and civil war.

"Through their visit, Spirit of Uganda's young performers offer our students valuable insight regarding the people, conditions and culture of East Africa," said Jon Ninnemann, head of Keys School. "This is a terrific opportunity for both groups of children to learn more about one another."

The children of the Spirit of Uganda spent time in Keys' classrooms sharing stories, answering questions and interacting with students. The day culminated with a private, school-wide performance.

"Traveling around the U.S. and spending time at places like Keys School lets our children imagine what is possible," says Alexis Hefley, child advocate and EAC founder. "Half of the children come from orphanages that have very little electricity."

The Spirit of Uganda troupe will perform at the Marin Center on Feb. 2, in San Rafael.

To see the video click here!