3/21/2007: Lisa Shannon, founder of Run for Congo Women, speaks about her trip
Lisa will speak and show slides of her recent trip to the Eastern part of Congo at the Old Church1422 S.W. 11th, at 7 p.m
3/6/2007 Ghana celebrates 50th Anniversary Ghana Celebrates first 50 years BBC News
2/17/2007: Southridge High School Wins Academic WorldQuest Competition
Southridge High School (Beaverton, OR) wins the Academic WorldQuest competition conducted by the World Affairs Council of Oregon today in Portland, OR. Southridge High School, part of Harambee’s Matale Sister School Program, wins the world knowledge competition for high school students. Top prize includes a three week trip to China. Southridge’s team, coordinated by teacher Amy Haggstrom, will travel to Washington, D.C. to compete in the National Academic WorldQuest competition. The National Academic WorldQuest competition will be held March 23-25, 2007 and is sponsored by the World Affairs Council of America.
2/16/2007: Southridge raises $12,000 for Matale
In their third annual food fast, Southridge raised $12,000 Friday night. The proceeds will help Matale, their sister school in Matale, Uganda. A major goal is to build a science lab.
2/4/2007: Tragedy strikes family of Harambee co-founder
On Sunday, February 4th Professor Job Bwayo was killed by apparent carjackers. In the vehicle with Dr. Job was his wife, Carolyn Bwayo, and a volunteer, Carol Briggs of Portland. Both women were shot in the mouth and left for dead. Carolyn Bwayo is the sister of co-founder Grace Kuto. For more information:
1/12/2007: Zoom Uganda Touches Many and Raises Needed Funds
Zoom Uganda closes its first public gallery showing today, but not before touching all of those lucky enough to visit the exhibit and not before raising more than $10,000 for the construction of a science laboratory at St. Andrew’s Senior Secondary School, part of Harambee’s Matale Sister School Program, in Matale, Uganda. Construction of the laboratory is by government decree and the school could be shut down if it does not break ground on construction of the science laboratory prior to the summer of 2007. The campaign to raise funds for the construction of a science laboratory at Matale continues, so please consider donating online today. Help us offer proper science lab facilities and keep the school open!
This special exhibit will be on display again in the future. To keep up to date on the exhibit showings, click here. You can visit the exhibit today by visiting Zoom Uganda on line..
12/20/2006: Zoom Uganda Opens to the Public Today!
When: December 20, 2006 through January 12, 2007; 7am-6pm Monday-Friday
Where: Ecotrust Building, 2nd Floor, 721 NW 9th, Portland, OR 97209
Admission: FREE
Donate online now by clicking here.
11/2/2006: Harambee Presents at First Thursday Event
Harambee President Jackie Goldrick and board members Thomas Lwebuga, Carol Larsson, and Karen Smith collaborated in a presentation at a First Thursday event for Swahili Imports in the Pearl District (downtown Portland). The presentation centered on the topic of educating girls in rural areas in Africa. The presentation attracted a varied audience including: university students and many individuals with ties to organizations doing development work in Africa. Harambee will present this material at an event at the Swahili Imports store in Eugene, OR on November 16th. For additional information about Harambee Centre's partner, Swahili Imports, please visit here.
7/1/2006: Swahili Imports and Harambee Form Strong Partnership
Swahili Imports, Portland, OR African arts merchant, and Harambee form long-term partnership of cross promotion. This year-long agreement, beginning July 1, 2006 will foster a collaborative relationship and allow both organizations to widen their audience. Some details of the agreement include: special presence on each organization's web site, Harambee promotional materials available at Swahili stores, Swahili promotional materials available at any event where Harambee Centre informational representatives are present, and percentage donations to Harambee (or other collaborating organizations with Swahili) per individual sales in Swahili stores or online above certain dollar amounts. Customers will choose the organization to which their automatic donation will go. Harambee is one of three collaborating organizations. To visit Swahili Imports online, click here.
6/17/2006: First Annual Day of the African Child Celebration Attracts Diverse Audience
A Rose Festival sanctioned event hosted by the Harambee Centre and the World Forestry Center brought together a diversity of families and organizations. Jennifer Kent, World Forestry Center's Marketing Director stated, "This event brought together a wonderfully diverse audience." Hundreds of attendees enjoyed a variety of entertainment including: African drumming workshops with Chata Addy, storytelling with Ghanaian drumming by Okidja, and music from Fools of Paradise Mirimba group. Children of all ages engaged in educational activities in the outdoor African Market and inside the World Forestry Center's Discovery Museum. Attendees also enjoyed African food from Portland's own Horn of Africa Restaurant. More than twenty different Africa related organizations and merchants joined the celebration in the outdoor African Market area. Award winning author and lecturer, Mark Mathabane delivered a stirring address to the assembled crowd on the significance of the day. To review a complete schedule of this year's event as well as a complete listing of informational organizations and merchants who joined the celebration, click here. For information on the history of the Day of the African Child, click here. Mark your calendars and join the celebration next year scheduled for June 16, 2007 at the World Forestry Center.
6/15/2006: Day of the African Child Event Recognized on AM Northwest Television Program
Oregon's daily morning variety television program, AM Northwest, shown on KATU channel 2 (ABC affiliate) recognized the Harambee Centre and World Forestry Center event Wednesday. To view AM Northwest's web site featuring the Day of the African Child information, click here.
6/14/2006: Harambee Centre President Interviewed on OPB's Oregon Considered
OPB's Alison Frost interviewed Harambee Centre President and Co-founder, Jackie Goldrick, Tuesday regarding the upcoming Day of the African Child event. To listen to the interview, click here.
6/10/2006: First Annual Race for Matale Road Race Raised Money for Uganda Sister School
Runners and walkers gathered in Beaverton, OR to compete in the first annual Race for Matale event designed to raise money for a cross-cultural exchange trip slated for August 2006. This 5K run/walk attracted serious runners as well as leisurely walkers. All participants raised money through pledges; one Southridge student raised over $2,000 through individual pledges. For complete race results, click here.
6/5/2006: Northwest Portland Starbucks Coffee Locations Partner with Harambee
All ten of the Northwest Portland Starbucks Coffee stores have joined forces with the Harambee Centre to promote the upcoming Day of the African Child event; June 17th at the World Forestry Center. You will find in all ten of the NW Starbucks, starting Monday, June 12th, "Daily Special Chalkboards" promoting the event, Kenyan and Ethiopian coffees on special, event posters hung on the community information boards and flyers at the check-out registers.
11/11/07: "Dream for Darfur" an interfaith service and candlelight vigil. Armenia, the Holocaust, Cambodia, Rwanda, Darfur. Never Again. For More information click here
6/16/07: Day of the African Child (sponsored by Jordan Brand and EAI Information Systems). Click here for more information.
4/28-29/07: Plant Sale in West Linn to Benefit Sister school in Chwele
West Linn High School is joining with community nursery growers to host a tree and shrub sale West Linn High School parking lot on Highway 43 in West Linn, Oregon, from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM on April 28-29, 2007. The sale will include specimen Maples and Conifers, and over 25 native and ornamental varieties at wholesale pricing. The feature item will be weeping and upright 3-gallon Japanese Maples priced at $22. Due to the generous donations from community growers, 100% of all sales will support the West Linn sister school in Chwele, Kenya.
4/28/2007: Race for Matale
Southridge High School will run for Matale. Event starts at 9 a.m. and ends at noon.
4/11/2007: Grace Kuto Returns and Reports Strong Spirit of both Elizabeth and Carol
Grace Kuto returned to Portland after her five week journey to Kenya. Grace and her husband, Paul, surveyed the conditions on the ground in Chwele, Kenya as well as offered strong support to their family at this difficult time. Grace escorted both Elizabeth Bwayo and Carol Briggs back to Oregon where they will both be recovering and undergoing further medical procedures. Both women are strong in spirit but still have a long medical recovery ahead. Grace and her family offer their sincerest appreciation for all of the support they have received throughout this trying time. Please check back for further information at a later date. For further background information, see 2/4/2007.
6/2/2006: Harambee Centre Board Chairman Speaks About Business Success and Social Responsibility
Harambee Centre Board Chairman and Chair & CEO of EAI Infosystems, Matt Essieh, spoke to the Rotary Club of Albina (located in Portland, OR) Friday. Mr. Essieh spoke passionately about his commitment to social responsibility in the context of the business world. Mr. Essieh outlined his work with the Harambee Centre as well as personal philanthropy. Mr. Essieh spoke about growing up in Sampa, Ghana and how he came to the United States. Mr. Essieh concluded his remarks stating that business success and social responsibility can go hand-in-hand. To learn more about the Albina Rotary Club, click here. To learn more about EAI Infosystems, click here.
5/14/2006: Oregon Newspaper Features Harambee
Board Chairman
In Sunday's edition of the Skanner, a Portland, OR based newspaper features an article entitled, "African Man Carves out Oregon Niche." The article delves into the success story of Harambee Board Chairman, Matt Essieh. To read the article, click here.
4/15/2006: Harambee Welcomes Four New Board
Members
Harambee's Board of Directors assembled Tuesday evening and voted decided to welcome four new Board members. New members include: Christopher Williams (Director of Strategic Planning for NIKE Footwear), Kimberly Ogadhoh (Development & Foundation Consultant), Carol Larsson (Former Director of the International Speaker Series for the World Affairs Council of Oregon and long-time Harambee supporter), Michelle Smith (ONE Campaign & Harambee volunteer), and Judy Buffo (retired software specialist).
3/15/2006: Nobel Peace Prize Winner Visits Harambee
2004 Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Dr. Wangari Mathai, visited the Harambee Centre during her visit to Portland. The Kenyan born Mathai visited Harambee prior to speaking as part of the World Affairs Council of Oregon's International Speaker Series. Dr. Mathai will speak at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in downtown Portland on March 16th at 7pm. To learn more about Dr. Mathai's Greenbelt Movement, click here.
2/11/2006: Nationally Renowned Children of Uganda Touch Hearts of Audience and Help Raise $25,000 for Harambee
The Harambee Centre hosted a benefit concert with an amazing performance by the Children of Uganda. More than seven hundred and fifty people assembled at the First Congregational Church of Christ in downtown Portland Saturday to whiteness the spirit and joy of the Children of Uganda. Called, "Inspiring," by the New York Times, the Children of Uganda tour the United States every two years raising funds to support orphaned students in Uganda. The Children of Uganda are part of the Uganda Children's Charity Foundation (UCCF). To learn more about the UCCF and the Children of Uganda, click here.
Harambee's benefit concert also included a silent auction with items from various African arts merchants in Oregon, a membership package for the World Affairs Council of Oregon, and many other beautiful auction items. In total, the benefit raised $25,000 for the Harambee Centre.
9/15/2005: Southridge High School Student and Harambee Volunteer Wins National Leadership Award
Beaverton, OR's Katie Reed wins national student leadership award presented by Net Aid. In a ceremony Friday, Katie and three other high school students were honored with a National Global Action Award at New York City's Lincoln Center. Katie was honored for her work as part of the Southridge High School (Beaverton, OR) sister school relationship with St. Andrew's Senior Secondary School (Matale, Uganda). Katie spearheaded major fundraising efforts to build a sponsor-a-student program for students at Matale. Katie's work helped to sponsor twenty-four students at Matale who are orphans due to HIV/AIDS. To read more about her story, click here. To learn more about Net Aid, click here.
Harambee Centre
P.O. Box 6617
Portland, Oregon 97228-6617 USA
Telephone: (503) 710-8264
info@harambeecentre.org