Brett Maciech
bmaciech@uwyo.edu
The University of Wyoming’s Cross Cultural Communication class will host a charity bingo night and silent auction for an orphanage in Nakuru, Kenya tonight.
The Bahiti Bingo and Silent Auction will be held in the Laramie Plains Civics Center from 6:30 to 8:30 and although admission is free, individual donations are welcomed. All proceeds gained from donations and the silent auction will go to providing supplies, meal and a safe environment for the children of Nakuru.
However this will not be the only use of the funds gained from this event. Margaret Kanyiri, the Shalom Garden Orphanage School’s director and founder, said the funds will go toward helping the children much more.
“The most impoverished children will also receive clothing and shoes, and the school fee of $1 per month will be waived,” Kanyiri said in a press release.
Tracey Patton, a professor in the communication and journalism department and the course’s instructor, said this event will be an effective way to promote a good cause and teach cross cultural communication.
“My cross cultural communication students are embarking on their class project where they put cross cultural terms, theory and knowledge to the test in a real world situation,” Patton said in a release. “This year they are trying to raise money to assist the Shalom Garden Orphanage in raising money for educational supplies and opportunities.”
Patton said the orphanage is the only place for non-orphaned children to receive their one meal for the day—a banana and a grain. The eventual class goal is to assist the orphanage in moving to a new location or building them an actual school.
Adam Croft, a senior enrolled in the class, said in a press release the class is an exciting opportunity to learn outside of traditional classroom methods.
“From what we’ve learned in class, it’s apparent that facilities like the Shalom Garden Orphanage are in critical need of support,” Croft said. “The work they do is vital in bettering not only these children’s lives, but the country’s future as well. It’s really inspiring to be a part of that, and we hope the Laramie community will join us.”
Abby Hudson, another student in the cross cultural studies class, will be attending as a greeter at the event. She said she believes it is important for everyone to know what’s going on around the world and to be given opportunities like this event to help others.
“Other students should attend because even they can feel good about helping people in need even on a college kid budget,” Hudson said. “We are super excited to get any donation from anyone, regardless of size. Just giving people the opportunity to help in any way they can I think is a great thing for students and the community.”
Full disclosure: Adam Croft is a former News Editor for the Branding Iron.
