Join Us for an Evening of Wine Tasting

Metro Rotary North Fundraiser to Benefit Spanda Inc.

Drinking wine is a luxury many Americans can afford. But imagine for just moment what it would be like for you if you did not have this luxury. Or if water, for that matter, was the luxury. We turn a knob on our faucet and out comes clean drinkable water. This is not true for far too many people on the African continent. While there are millions of Africans without clean drinking water, we can only focus on a relatively small area in the east African country of Kenya for now.

Two years ago Dr. Fitzgerald raised money to build an eye and health care clinic in KipKarin, Kenya. The village needed to add a health clinic. But it’s just not that easy. One need leads to another to another. In order to build the health clinic, the village needed a constant source of clean water. Most of us cannot begin to understand the absence of such a basic human requirement. We need not feel guilty for having clean running water; however, after witnessing conditions where this is not the case, there is a sense of appreciation and pride for having a clean and constant source of drinkable water.

From that pride stems a burning desire to help someone gain what we know to be possible. What is possible is that with money raised here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, through our partnership with Metro North Rotary, a well will be drilled supplying the village with a fresh and clean water supply. It is the goal to begin digging the well this fall. But that creates another need. We have the clinic and we have fresh water (or we will soon). What more is needed? We have identified two new projects. The first is buying an ultrasound machine for the new clinic. The second will be to help KipKarin locals establish a supply of a “Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food” product, which will help to combat severe malnutrition faced by the Kenyans. When given to a child this product can provide life-sustaining vitamins and minerals and the ability to stave off hunger during the current drought and famine. It’s a fascinating food supplement that you can look up on the web for more information.

We are raising money (with the help of Metro North Rotary) to provide a supply of this product to the Kenyan village. Amazingly simple! All we need is the money to provide this life sustaining product. It’s always about the money, isn’t it? In this case, we are drinking and tasting wine as a social event in order to raise money to meet the basic needs of our friends in KipKarin.

On September 17, 2009, Metro North Rotary is sponsoring a fundraising event where we have the privilege of drinking and tasting wines or beers at the First Avenue Wine House in Cedar Rapids. The money we raise will go toward funding of our next two projects. This was the avenue for funding the well project and I believe it will prove just as successful this time. Join us (the Spanda board of directors and staff) for an evening of wine tasting and delightful company.

Sincerely,

Juli Hardin
Spanda Inc. Board Member