Sierra Leone

Gerry Smith presented slides from his recent trip to Sierra Leone where he and others helped with general medical and educational aid to the city of Kabala.  Kabala is a city of about 40,000 people in northern Sierra Leone. 
70 % of the people in Sierra Leona are below the poverty level.   Life expectancy is 46 years of age and the literacy rate is about 35%.  Electricity, potable water, and sanitary sewers do not exist outside the capital city. 
SEED, a non profit based in Colorado, United Methodist congregations from Colorado and Indiana built a health clinic and schools in Kabala.  The clinic is the only one in a 40 mile radius of Kabala.  The major health problems include Malaria, Cholera, intestinal parasites and malnutrition.  The groups hope to establish teacher training.  The cost of a scholarship for a teacher is $400.  Student tuition is about $100 per year.  If you are interested in helping contact Bradley United Methodist Church.

Backpack Attack

Backpack Attack Bus

Kiwanis Backpack Loading Team, Dave Crider, Jim Cherry and Becky Riley

Unloading Dave's car are Dave Crider (nice backpack Dave); Jim Cherry; Becky Riley; Paula Jarrett of United Way, and Jeannie Roberts of United Way.

The of Backpack Committee Diane Osborne,  Martie Crider, Susan Cherry, Becky Riley and Terry Beagle collected money and supplies for the Hancock County Backpack.  They purchased over $600 worth of supplies.  Becky Riley and 3 husbands of committee members went to Walmart to unload the car of all the supplies.  One of the husbands took pictures.

Project ReadUP, Backpack Attack, and Chocolate Walk

Jeannie Roberts, Volunteer Engagement Coordinator for United Way of Central Indiana in Hancock County told Kiwanis about the Backpack Attack program and Project ReadUP.

The Backpack Attack program which concludes tomorrow collect school supplies to provide children the tools they need to succeed in school.  The school supply drive has taken place each summer since 1999.  School supplies like Backpacks, crayons, dry erase markers, glue sticks, school boxes and scissors. 

Project ReadUP matches volunteers with local schools to help get students on track and stay on track with grade level literacy  .ReadUP volunteers work one-on-one with third grade students to help them reach grade-level literacy,

For more information contact jeannie.roberts@uwci.org or call 317.477.2345.

Dulcimer Connection

Front Left to Right: Jody Webb, Barb Kauchak, Diane Lutes, PearlAnn Haines Phyllis Kingen 

Back Left to Right: Melanie Blakely, Yvonne Polise, Michelle  Fife, Charlene Paul, and Leon Paul

The Dulcimer Connection presented a musical program for the Kiwanis Club,   Musical numbers included God Bless America, Battle Hymn of the Republic, This Land is Your Land, Yankee Doodle, Dixie, You're a Grand Old Flag, Back Home Again in Indiana, Dona Nobis Pacem, Dueling Dulcimers, Oh Susannah, and Mockingbird Hill.  The Dulcimer Connection meets and practices at the Senior Center.