Celebrating Sue Anne’s life

Celebrating Sue Anne’s life

by | Dec 14, 2019 | Hope for Limpopo, Sue Anne Cook

That we love and respect and treasure. That’s what Sue Anne Cook meant to me. Our friendship goes back 28 years, when we met in Mozambique. She was the most under the radar and unassuming person I had ever met, and evolved into the most giving and impactful friend I have ever had. She started a small school in her trailer for pre-school HIV+ kids that no one else was helping. That evolved into the most loving and giving relationship between her beautiful daughter Woo, who came to her as a profoundly sick 2-year-old and is now a beautiful freshman in college.

Together they became AIDS activists, and Sue Anne’s small school became the Vhutshilo Mountain School (VMS) in Venda, South Africa. It was brought to reality by the great NGO, Hope for Limpopo.

I don’t know off-hand how many hundreds of kids passed through the school, where they received meals, meds, classes, love and clothes for two years. Many like Woo, are now healthy young adults all thanks to Sue Anne’s vision and big heart.

In honor of the hard work, dedication and opportunities my dear friend provided, I am starting the Sue Anne Cook Scholarship Fund. Only graduates of VMS are eligible, and scholarships will be awarded the equivalent of $1000.00 for kids pursuing higher education, whether through secondary school, vocational schools or college. It’s only appropriate that Woo is the first recipient, which I am donating. If you would like to keep Sue Anne’s dreams alive, whether by a donation to the school or a donation for future scholarships, please let me know.

All donations are tax deductible and will be handled by Hope for Limpopo at www.hopeforlimpopo.org

Your generosity will help keep Sue Anne’s dreams alive.

Vhutshilo Mountain School: https://www.vhutshilomountainschool.co.za/

Another Magical Evening was another magical success

Another Magical Evening was another magical success

by | Dec 14, 2019 | Hope for Limpopo, St. John

Dear Friends,

Thanks to all of you, Another Magical Evening was another magical success. We raised $7,778.00, so we can continue to support the five kids we have helped since 2012, and sponsor five more if there are that many unsponsored students. Ten beautiful little kids. We may also have enough for establishing the “Rent a Ram” program, if that’s what VMS needs most. It’s great to know that Hope for Limpopo guarantees that every penny we send goes directly to the school.

None of this would have happened without the usual great teamwork of Lisa Menna and her NGO, Cause to Wonder. This year Lisa provided world-class magician, Steve Silverman. Wow! Steve’s up-close magic was dazzling and fun and I thank Steve and Lisa for making the night such a success.

Another Magical Evening once again demonstrated the generosity of the folks on St. John

Another Magical Evening once again demonstrated the generosity of the folks on St. John

by | Dec 14, 2019 | Hope for Limpopo, St. John

Another Magical Evening once again demonstrated the generosity of the folks on St. John. The evening’s gathering of 40 people was entertained by world-class magician Lisa Menna from Cause to Wonder doing card tricks and generating excitement before another world-class magician and sword swallower, Johnny Fox, wowed the audience with his unique skills of long balloons disappearing down his throat, followed by a real sword that made all squirm. His charm and humor were infectious. There was a silent auction with beautiful artwork and jewelry donated by local artists and shop owners, as well as a piece of handmade lace by my sister Susie in Cal.

I was honored that Nancy Amanti, one of the Co-Founders of Hope for Limpopo made a trip down to the island to join us for the event. The biggest surprise of the evening was the amazing donation of Whitney Falk, daughter of my good friend Jane Kelly, who was awarded Rookie of the Year at her place of work in NY. Her award was a check for $5000 to the charity of her choice. Hope for Limpopo was her chosen charity, bringing the total amount of money raised for the Vhutshilo Mountain School in Venda, SA to an impressive, mind-blowing $12,770! This means we will continue to support our 7 AID+ orphans at the school, and make a major contribution to another project at the school.

I am humbled by the giving spirit of the people who attended Another Magical Evening.