Grace Kuto
Grace Kuto, Kenyan author of Harambee! Stories and Recipes from the African Family Circle returns to Orcas on July 18 and 19.
Orcas resident Mary Ann Slabaugh met Kuto, who is also a resident of Portland, Ore., at an International Women’s Day event 15 years ago, when Kuto was a student at Portland State University, and the two women have remained in contact ever since.
“She’s quietly powerful and passionate about helping her people,” says Slabaugh.
Grace Kuto has served on numerous boards including Society for African Resident in North America (SARNA), American Friends Service Committee (North Pacific Region), Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends Peace and Social Concerns, and World Affairs Council of Oregon.
She is the Co-founder and Vice President of Harambee Centre, a non-profit organization that connects Americans with the people and cultures of Africa through multicultural education on Africa, cultural-exchange programs, and support for self-sustainable health, education, and micro-credit projects in Africa. Harambee Centre now partners with projects in Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Kuto created Harambee Centre in 1995 as a bridge between the Pacific Northwest and Chwele, her village in Kenya. “Harambee” describes the spirit which means “Let’s pull together for the good of the community” in Swahili.
The Chwele Community Development Project has updated a medical clinic that was built in 1948 by Quaker Missionaries to serve as a first aid station. Grace’s first edition of Harambee cookbook in 2000 helped raise funds to officially open the clinic that year. Today the clinic provides primary care and preventative services for diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, respiratory and waterborne diseases to nearly 58,000 people.
Kuto last came to Orcas in April, when she taught a cooking class, signed her books and served a Kenyan prepared dinner at Emmanuel Episcopal parish hall. Her visit to the island on July 18 will include making Mandazis, a donut-like fried bread at Emmanuel Epsicopal courtyard from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Later that evening, her daughter, Lutomia, will be featured in a concert at the Orcas Island Community Church, with the the Orion Chorale gospel choir. On Sunday, July 19, a Kenyan meal will be served at the Senior Center at 6 p.m.
Admssion to both events is by donation.For more information, contact Mary Ann Slabaugh at 376-1001.
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Our Kenyan-Harambee! weekend was an amazing pulling together by some of our community in support of a project in the village of Chwele, Kenya. As always, there were so many things to choose from to do on island that our numbers at these Kenyan events were not what was anticipated. Grace Kuto and daughter, Lutomia were greatly touched and grateful for Orcas’ interest, support and hospitality. Grace will return in October to Eastsound to report on their trip with 10 volunteers to Chwele. This community gave from the heart & pockets. Your generosity will enrich the lives of the Chwele people far beyond what you can imagine.
Asante & baraka, Mary Ann Slabaugh
Our Kenyan-Harambee! weekend was an amazing pulling together by some of our community in support of a project in the village of Chwele, Kenya. As always, there were so many things to choose from to do on island that our numbers at these Kenyan events were not what was anticipated. Grace Kuto and daughter, Lutomia were greatly touched and grateful for Orcas’ interest, support and hospitality. Grace will return in October to Eastsound to report on their trip with 10 volunteers to Chwele. This community gave from the heart & pockets. Your generosity will enrich the lives of the Chwele people far beyond what you can imagine.
Asante & baraka, Mary Ann Slabaugh