SUDAN SURVIVORS: Roberta Witte recently gave a birthday party for the six young men from the Sudan that she has unofficially adopted. The six have never had a birthday party and, indeed, have no idea of the dates of their birth. All are orphans, casualties of the political turmoil in their native country.
They came here to get an education and are determined to go back to make a difference in their country. Witte, an active member of Sacred Heart Church, met the boys from the Sudan at the local Safeway. She had heard about them through an article in Valley Catholic and a special on TV. The boys are John Padak, Mach Pandak, Peter Akau, Samuel Akau, James Kuch and Peter Nyok. Two are biological brothers; the others call themselves cousins.
Witte set them up with a computer and printer, takes them to doctor and dental appointments, helps them shop, and includes them in family outings and holidays. Together with Sacred Heart priest Joseph Kamugisha, who is from Tanzania, Witte cooked up an African-style dinner for the boys one night.
"They are a pleasure to help, and they have taught my children respect for education and much more," Witte says. "Education is our second mother," Peter N. said to Witte. To Witte and family the boys are an inspiration. At Christmastime, Sacred Heart School raised $2,800 for the boys' scholarship fund at De Anza.
CONSOLATION: Judy and Frank Homen of Saratoga are taking their escape trip to the Bernardus Lodge in Carmel for two nights next summer. They came in third in the Escape with your Perfect Mate contest and won a consolation prize rather than a week's trip to an island.
Well, it would be tough to find a sitter for a week for three kids anyway, they rationalized through their disappointment. Finding a sitter should be easier come summer. 'Twas a fun adventure anyhow, says Judy, because it put her in touch with so many long lost friends via the Internet—to say nothing for being equipped with enough coffee accouterments for hosting caffeine sociables for at least a year.
SAYONARA: Some 20 residents of Saratoga's sister city, Muko-shi, Japan, were in town recently. Because the visit was brief—two days—it was something of a whirlwind, what with cocktails at Ed Porter's and then the group splitting off for dinner with several different hosts.
Those hosting were the Riddles, the Duffins, the Armstrongs, the Clevengers, the Salters, the Metcalfs, the Nakashimas, the Oginos and the Breeds, plus Kathleen King and husband Mark Stark and Peggy Corr and Barbara Mendenhall. The Japanese visitors explored Saratoga, new and old, checked out the new high school science center and the expanded library nearing completion. There were stops at Hakone and Valley Fair, too. A sayonara dinner was held at the community center.
ASSISTANCE LEAGUE: Seniors and children are the beneficiaries of the Assistance League's Antique Show 'N Tell March 30, noon to 3 p.m., at the Saratoga Community Center. Operation School Bell has assisted over 189 children with clothes and school supplies this year.
Some 55 seniors are served at adult day care centers in Saratoga and Los Gatos. Then there's WALTER (We All Love to Explore Reading), wherein members read and donate books to 200 children. CARE for Kids creates surgery dolls for the pediatric unit at Valley Med.
Special parties are given for patients and their families. Videos, craft supplies and gifts for the children are donated on an ongoing basis.
SPRING GALA: The celebration of family is the theme for the spring fundraiser for Sacred Heart, to be held April 4 at Villa Ragusa in Campbell. One of the co-chairs, Debi Colyar, has had children attending Sacred Heart for the past 17 years. Other chairpersons are Rachel Garcia, Lyn Patton, Kira Miller, Doreen Morales and Julie Stallman.
A crab feast with crab provided by the Race Street Riparbelli family, members of Sacred Heart Parish, is on the menu. Tickets are $75, and the contact is Evelyn Longo, 408.973.1765. The Gera family owns Villa Ragusa.
HIGH FLYER: With spring officially here, Dolly Cahill Johnson's intensely imaginative colored kites come to mind. Her work is showing at Synopsis Inc. until May, and she'll be represented at the Saratoga Rotary show in May. Expect spirits to soar when viewing the latest output from Skysong Studios, her Santa Cruz Mountain aerie.
NOT MANY TAKERS: Marlene and Ron Duffin took a trip to Antarctica, a trip not many are adventurous or hardy enough to sign up for, but the Duffins recommend it highly.
CHOCOLATE LOVERS ALERT: Rivers of Chocolate will be held April 13, 15 p.m., at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga. The event benefits Social Advocates for Youth, which operates programs for at-risk youngsters, including housing for runaways, mentoring and job placement help.
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By Mary Ann Cook