To purchase your dinner tickets, please contact the California HEART Office. Online ticket purchasing has now closed.
Please contact either the California or Colorado HEART office to purchase dinner and raffle tickets.
[line]
[line]
[line]
[line]All further requests for raffle and dinner tickets be made by calling, 530-885-9600.[clear]
This is a special guest post by Africa HEART, a Segal Family Foundation partner, for World AIDS Day.
[line]
“Good Morning,” I said to my children. They stared back at me blankly with no response. I wondered if they could not hear me. They were sitting there like statues, again I said “Good Morning.” I then realized that I couldn’t even hear her own voice! I thought, “this cannot be happening to me.”
After being voiceless for three days, I went the hospital and was diagnosed with a common cold. I was immediately put on medication, but my condition deteriorated. I decided to go back to hospital and I was referred to Kenyatta hospital (the National referral hospital in Kenya).
Tests revealed my worst nightmare: throat cancer… and HIV. I felt my world crumbling down right before my eyes. I did not know what to do.
After learning of my HIV status, my husband and family members abandoned me, leaving me helpless and weak. I still had three children to take care of and I had no income and no skill. I felt like my life was not worth living anymore.
After 14 months of medical treatment, 7 surgeries and 1 month in ICU, I had to get my voice box removed and I discovered that I was also pregnant. I was discharged to recuperate at home. It was after this tough period that I lost my 10 month old twins daughter because the medicine was too strong for the babies and I had no proper medical care and not enough food or income to sustain my family.
Fortunately, I met a lady named Mary Wanderi who introduced me to Africa HEART’s Women Equality and Empowerment project (WEEP) program that supports women living with HIV/AIDS who are abandoned and helpless. I was a bit skeptical about the idea, but later found out that the women in WEEP had gone through the similar experiences to me (or even worse), but they were still holding on to hope. It was while at WEEP that I met Vickie Winkler, founder of HEART.
Dorcus showcasing a sample of her coffee bags, a source of income for her through the WEEP program.
I found new hope through HEART! WEEP catered for my food, paid the school fees for my children, paid for rent and medication and began to teach me how to provide for my children. It was like a dream after all I had been through!I am so thankful to God for this program. HEART gave me emotional and financial support at my lowest point and has helped me build my skills and take care of my family. I have gained tailoring skills, graduated from the program and now own my business. I have now employed four people. I can now pay some of the school fees for my children and provide for their needs.
When speaking, I use an electro larynx to amplify my voice. I am HIV positive, raising my three children all by myself and earning an income through my growing business. Read More
[button color=”color” size=”medium” url=”http://www.huffingtonpost.com/barry-segal/hiv-positive-voiceless–e_b_6248186.html” icon=”ok-sign” iconcolor=”white” target=”_blank” ] Read the Full Article [/button]
[line]
Matthew 25:40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’Everyone wants to know about my recent trip to Kenya.Did you contract ebola? What was the highlight of the trip? Did you feel safe? What was the food like? the weather? Did you go on a safari? Did you see any wild animals? It’s natural for friends and family to be curious about my 10,000 mile excursion.
was surprised by the tearful testimonies of once infected HIV women who are now thriving because of the compassion and care of H.E.A.R.T volunteers and staff. I was surprised by the joy of wallowing in mud and packing that same mud into makeshift walls. I am surprised by how much I miss Kenya. I am surprised how easy it is to transition back into the passive Christian life of squandering time.Team Leaders: Trish Anderson, Brita Erickson, and Mark Gomez
Team Members 16 Valor Christian High School Students
“When people talk about mission trips, it is usually glorifying the work they are doing for the people. But what I’ve learned while I was here, is that these people are doing just as much for us. They are changing my life. I’ll be leaving a piece of my heart in Kenya when I leave because of the connections I’ve made. Our team is awesome, and God deserves a never-ending praise for ordaining our team’s relationship. We can’t wait to tell you all about our time here. Continue to pray with us as we wind down our time here! God is doing great things.” Macy
Valor Christian High School returned for the fourth year to HEART from June 6-14. They brought three returning team leaders and sixteen students. They really made the most of their 8 days!
Some highlights include:
painting the Kibera WEEP center
attending church and leading Teen Bible studies and Sunday School for the children
driving to a Maasai village, Oldonyonyokie, and honoring the Maasai culture with food, dance., and soccer
building two homes in Kisii for two women with HIV/Aids.
Please follow the link to see photos of this team and share in the 8 day journey. www.valordiscovery.net
Team Members: Johnathan Merle, Dave Donley, Jessica Gillesse, Elizabeth Nordquist, Adam Olson, Jennifer Olson, Rich Penaloza, Peggy Smith, Nancy Wolfe, Lindsey Bodenhorn
May 18
After nearly a year of planning, training, prayer, and preparation, our medical missions team is on their way to Kenya, East Africa to work and minister to women and children affected by HIV/AIDS. We are working with a terrific ministry called HEART, www.africaheart.com while we are there. Stay tuned for pictures and updates on a regular basis of all that is happening. It’s going to be an awesome trip and we’ll look forward to sharing about it when we return. Thanks for your prayers and thoughts!
May 21 Here are some pictures from our first few days here in Kenya. We went to a slum, the 2nd largest in all of Africa called Kibera. I’ve been all around the world and seen a lot, but this was one of the roughest. Still, the women we worked with we’re happy, had hope, worked hard…it was awesome. The team is doing great. Tomorrow we’ll go to another community called Ngong.
May 26
KENYA UPDATE: Hi Everyone! We’ve been in the villages of Kenya (called “Up-Country”) and have had an amazing few days. The other day, we saw nearly 50 women in clinic, all who were HIV+, all without husbands for various reasons, and all lovely in so many ways. Our amazing team is doing TERRIFIC. We’re having the time of our lives seeing and experiencing the culture and people of this terrific nation. HEART (www.africaheart.com) is an incredible organization with some truly terrific initiatives to teach and reach the Kenyan people. Take a look at our photo album and enjoy!
May 27
Here’s a couple of pictures of me in clinic one day when we saw about 50 patients. It’s been YEARS since I did any clinical practice so it was fun to get back in it. The second picture is a cool story. Our group raised about $1400 to seed a micro finance project for this group of women. To receive this amount of money is a literal miracle for them as it is not feasible without help. Here’s the cool part though…The organization we’re working with has other groups of women that have received seed money like this and they’ve turned it into something amazing. One industrious women turned her 14,500 Kenyan Shillings into over a million Shillings. Another has hired 4 women in her enterprise. The goal is to instill business skills, values and training to empower them to not only survive, but to thrive. I challenged these women to make their seed into a tree and that we would be following up on their progress. It’s really neat to see. Thanks for following and praying for us
June 2
After a long journey back traveling on 3 continents, the 2013 Kenya Medical Missions team is safe and sound back at home in Colorado. During our journey, we met many amazing people as well as really bonded as a team. We were told that our team left it’s mark on the ministry and those we worked with. The truth is, Kenya and those we met have left their mark on us. We are so grateful for the opportunities with an EXCELLENT organization, HEART www.africaheart.com, the American and Kenyan staff, and Vickie Winkler. We are also grateful for the support of those that gave to help us go and for our wonderfully supportive church and Pastor at Jubilee Fellowship Church.
Dear Friends,
Greetings from New York City! I had a safe trip and saw the favor of the Lord on each leg … from Amsterdam to JFK I was upgraded to Economy Comfort … an aisle seat in a row of 4 seats and only one lady on the end (Patricia) she was from Italy (my age-ish) . She allowed an encouraged me to be able to use 3 seats to stretch out and rest! It was wonderful … then when I got to NYC she offered to share a cab and let me go to her apt in Manhattan and wait for Ali ….to come and get me from New Jersey! It was lovely she knew how to negotiate through the airport etc. and we share the taxi cost!
Ali and Josh are an amazing young couple that love in Hoboken, NY. Ali is a school teacher and Josh works for Barkley Bank and they offered for me to stay with them while in NYC. I came yesterday and today with Josh on the Bus to the center of Manhattan and then took a cab to the convention center .. it was easy with him and the bus stop is a ½ block from his house.
They took me to dinner at a lovely up-scale restaurant about 2/1/2 blocks from their appointment the first night … ummmm wow so nice!
Yesterday the meetings started at 8 AM and was a full day till 7:30 PM … I did not think I could stay awake and focused but it was so well done with many activities and such interesting speakers! President Bill Clinton was our luncheon speaker and of course he was great! People rushed to shake his hand and meet him … so I hung back a little … it was enough to hear his great speech!
The whole day was packed with networking opportunities and I met some amazing people … also Rick and Amanda were there from Lift Up Africa so nice to meet some people I knew… I sat next to a young woman “Sara” at my assigned table (right up front) and she just “watched over me … all day and brought me coffee and was so kind .. they had an “after party” here in Manhattan … but I excused myself and headed back to Hoboken.
It was a very long day and immediately when I got home and (rode back with Josh as he waited for me) got home about 9 PM and went directly to bed …
Segal Family Foundation
Today is a training day put on by Segal Family Foundation(SFF) … this group is actually amazing I am so impressed with their desire to see all of succeed and to come alongside their grantees and offer support and tools to be successful! They are interested in helping African grassroots organizations with Institutional Strengthening and their whole approach is taking small to medium groups like HEART to the next level of growth! It is a wonderful philosophy and it is working! They interspersed the day yesterday with success stories that were so encouraging!
SFF will have their 2014 Annual Meeting in Africa in October! So hope some of my staff can attend!
So I arrived in the city early (doesn’t start today till 10 AM but I came again with Josh … so I am at a café next to the Convention center and just wanted to touch base with all of you!
The weekend promised to be quiet … Ali and Josh offered me several options … but rest a and quiet day and go to church with them on Sunday (I think they attend a Catholic mass) sounds wonderful to me! They promised me steak again on their Bar BQ Sat night (my favorite!) and I will take them out tonight ..
Monday I go to Philly to meet with Women Leaders in Action (WLA) will take the train … and so look forward to that and back to Hoboken the same day and then to Boston to stay with ken and Marie and will also see Amanda again with Lift Up Africa and hopefully Peter Norris!
I travel to CA on Friday next week …
Just a little update … thanks for sharing this amazing journey with me!
Sincerely,
Vickie Winkler
HEART Executive Director
P.O. Box 63414 – 00619 Muthaiga
Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa
011-254-733-369-010
MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOAL (MDG) AWARDS GALA
April 26, 2013 – HEART won the honor of the first place award for MDG #3
The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – which range from halving extreme poverty rates to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, all by the target date of 2015 – form a blueprint agreed to by all the world’s countries and all the world’s leading development institutions. They have galvanized unprecedented efforts to meet the needs of the world’s poorest. From this site, explore the efforts of the UN and its partners for building a better world.
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Award is an initiative that acknowledged the contribution of Government, Development Partners Institutions, Private Sectors, NGOs and Individuals in Kenya that have demonstrated outstanding efforts in driving the achievement of one the eight MDG goals through their core programmes. This initiative is being implemented in partnership with United Nations Department Programme in Kenya, Ministry of State for Planning, National Development and Vision 2030, Millennium Development Goals Trust Fund and the Government of Finland.
The MDG Award presented to HEART
The MDGs Goals:
Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Achieve universal primary education
Promote gender equality and empower women
Improving maternal health care
Reduce child mortality
Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases
Ensure environmental sustainability
Create a global partnership for development with targets for aid, trade and debt relief
