On Friday, May 8th 2009, over 170 people came together for an evening of inspiration and enlightenment at the beautiful home of Scott Schuff in Peoria, Arizona.

The object of the gathering was to bring awareness about the overwhelming need in Uganda and to raise funds for a double-classroom for the True Vine primary boarding school in Tororo, Uganda.

The cocktail attire affair held several areas for attendees to mingle and share how they came to be at the event. The message was clear for all. Help was needed and empirical evidence alone wouldn’t be shy to reveal that the ability was present. Many guests in attendance previously traveled with Hope 4 Kids to Uganda resulting in an abundance of personal attests of the need of the people of Uganda. Live, authentic African music and dance was performed during the event, courtesy of Kawambe-Omawale -African Performance Theatre Company, which only added to the experience of the night. A humongous projector screen was erected for all to watch video and slideshows of Hope 4 Kids International’s missions and quickly became the main focus of the guests. One of the two “guests of honor” in attendance that night was Hope 4 Kids International’s president and founder, Tom Eggum. The other of the aforementioned “guests of honor” was Uganda’s own, Pastor Wilber Sigombe of True Vine Team Ministries.  Bishop of fifty-one churches in East Africa, Pastor Wilber is a long time friend and partner of Hope 4 Kids. Pastor Wilber’s appearance was a surprise for the other guests, some of which had previously made his acquaintance whilst visiting Uganda.

All said and done, the event raised over $125,000 for ten wells and a double-classroom. Thirteen orphans were sponsored in H4KI’s Orphan Sponsorship Program. Also, funds for desks, double-decker beds, teachers’ tables, fifty textbooks, dining tables, meals, office desks and chairs were raised. Larrie Fraley, President of CCV Stars (local soccer club) presented Pastor Wilber with 200 True Vine Team Ministries’ soccer uniforms. All this, plus impromptu speeches from Tom Eggum and Pastor Wilber Sigombe, made for a spectacularly successful night.

Although the impact of the success of this event will be felt, an unimaginable set of problems is still prevalent in Uganda and the rest of the world. Over a billion people in this world lack access to the basics: clean water, nutritious food, basic healthcare and quality education. Hope 4 Kids International truly believes education is one of the ways children can escape the grips of education. That’s why they’ve built their own True Vine Boarding and Mixed Day School in Uganda and support a number of schools in and around Tororo, Uganda.
The evening would not have been possible without the generous contributions and support of some very special businesses: Trader Joe’s Glendale, Babbo Italian Eatery Arrowhead, Y-knot Party Rental, Black Tie Events, Inc, Ageless Aesthetics, Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen and Waste Management. Special thanks to our hostesses of the evening: Shawna Schuff, Kristi Sonsky, Lisa Peterson, Victoria Elbin, Jennifer Mook and Sheri Maki for their heart-felt passion and dedication for the children of Uganda. Special thanks to Scott Schuff for opening his home in Peoria for this event.