Upcoming Coffee Hours

 

Sept. 10, 2008 - 7 p.m. at the Baobab Cultural Center (728 University Ave., Rochester) - Cathy and Sam Spoto report on their trip to Nigeria. They will focus on the economic, political, and health issues facing the people of Nigeria today, including a discussion of the continuing effects of the Nigerian Civil War (1967-70) on Ogoja (formerly Biafra). They will introduce the Rochester/Ogoja Partnership they are developing to support several health and education initiatives. They will also reference the current photo exhibit at the George Eastman House on the Niger Delta and the oil crisis.

Oct. 21, 2008 - 6:30 p.m. at the UNAR Building (494 East Ave., Rochester) - Robert DiLutis, RPO Clarinetist, reports on the historic trip to North Korea he made with the NY Philharmonic in 2007. Mr. DiLutis will show pictures taken on that trip, and perform a new work based on the North Korean folk song, "Arirang." This Coffee Hour is part of Empire State College's Historical Voices Lecture Series, co-sponsored by UNAR.

Oct. 27, 2008 - 7:00 p.m. at the Baobab Cultural Center (728 University Ave., Rochester) - Kathe Padilla the founder of the Zambian Children's Fund and the siblingsChishawasha Children's Home travels between Tucson, AZ and Lusaka Zambia every three months. After hearing about the growing numbers of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS in Zambia in 1999, Kathe wanted to help. With little more than this desire, she boarded a plane for Zambia. There are now seven houses for 67 orphaned children and a 12-classroom school where an additional 40 children are fed, clothed and educated. Chishawasha means, "that which lives on..." Kathe will share the children's stories, talk about her efforts to raise children in a country ravaged by poverty and disease, and about the value of preserving Zambian culture for future generations.

Nov. 13, 2008 - 7:00 p.m. at Valley Manor (1570 East Ave., Rochester) - Paula Savage, President of the International Peace Garden Foundation, will speak about the work of this organization including their most recent effort in the Ukraine. Peace Gardens are presented to a country in recognition of their conscious role in the pursuit of freedom, democracy and equality for all. The Gardens symbolize this commitment while offering a setting for people to contemplate positive ways to further the vision of a more peaceful world.

 

Check back for more Coffee Hours in 2009!