Los Angeles— Safari Nights, a semi-annual fundraiser for Kenya’s Cura Orphanage co-hosted by Jennifer Gross of Blue Chip Foundation, attracted dozens of attendees and generous donations from Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Sammy Hagar and Rod Stewart. Typically, Safari Nights generates funds through auctions—but this year, the event relied on ticket sales and contributions. Organized by the Creative Visions Foundation, this tremendously successful event’s tickets were priced at $100 to reach a broad cross-section of philanthropically minded people.
Held in Hensen Studios’ Studio A, where “We Are the World” was recorded in 1985, Safari Nights was also hosted by Hayden Bixby, Amy Eldon Turtletaub, Faryal Ganjehei, and Lucy Woodward.
Donations for the Cura Orphanage, which supports approximately 50 children who have lost their parents to AIDS, go toward ensuring the children living there are able to continue their educational journeys and obtain vocational training as they transition into adults.
Children living at Cura Orphanage range in age from 4 to 13. The orphanage’s mission is to provide a loving, caring home for the kids, who attend local preschools and primary schools.
“In 2013, I realized there were kids that were a couple of years from graduating, so we donated $40,000 to Cura Orphanage to provide scholarships for higher education, should any of them want to pursue that path. Realizing that only 2 percent of Kenyans go to university, we broadened the use of the funds to include vocational training,” says Gross.
As hostess, Gross compiled a poignant collection of photos to share the everyday lives of Cura’s children with attendees. The pictures illustrated where donors’ financial gifts would have the most impact, as well.
Bixby provided an update on the children who benefited from Safari Nights. “Last year’s Safari Nights made it possible for all five of Cura’s 2016 graduates to pursue their dreams after high school. Carol is studying fashion design in Nairobi. She has a full scholarship, so we’ll cover all of her materials and incidental expenses for the two years of her program,” said Bixby. “Samuel has already finished the first step to becoming a commercial truck driver. He got his driver’s license last month and will start the government certification program in February.”
She also noted that the three remaining graduates were pursuing vocational training as well.
“Sarah has completed the first term of her hospitality course, getting ready to work in the hotel industry,” said Bixby. “Stephen is doing a certificate in electrical engineering at Maasai Technical Training Institute. We are proud to be able to cover his full tuition, room, and board. Kelvin decided to pursue hairdressing and beauty. He attends college and lives at our partner institution nearby – John Kaheni Residence. He studies drawing on the side.”
Guests enjoyed a miniature African bazaar featuring tables of African clothing and jewelry for sale, as well as musical performances by Lucy Woodward, Nikka Costa, and legendary recording artist Sting’s son, Joe Sumner.
“The crowd was a mix of people who are already familiar with and supporting Cura and some folks who were just learning about it,” says Gross. I invited a good friend of mine, Braden Kulhman who travelled with Julian Lennon and I to Africa. It was her first exposure to Cura. Afterward, we were able to ask for a grant from Julian and his White Feather Foundation, and he ended up giving $15,000. Braden is a beautiful free spirit, and after that she wanted to go and spend time with the kids herself at Cura. Julian’s donation was very heartfelt.”
“Beyond the financial success of the event, I enjoyed some personal success in getting to share Cura and Safari Nights with my husband and co-Founder of Blue Chip Foundation, Peter Stengaard. He considers all the children we help in Africa as our own,” says Gross.
