O Ambassadors evening in Ottawa

Our recent trip to our nation's capital was truly inspiring. We journeyed back to Ottawa, the place where our roots began as it is where Lori and I first met!! We went to be a part of a local school's O Ambassadors "Arts for Africa" evening. The staff and students at Heritage Public School organized a great event which in the end raised almost $5000!! Way to go!!

We were so honoured to be a part of the evening and it was really exciting to meet the people of the local community and get such enthusiastic feedback about our book Seven Hands, Seven Lands. Highlights of the evening for us were meeting Justin Lawrence a Free the Children Coordinator. Justin spoke passionately about Free the Children's efforts to alleviate extreme poverty around the world and with humour about the trips he has taken with Free the Children to Kenya. His talk was uplifting and inspiring. Thanks Justin!

The Baobab Tree drum and dance society gave an incredible West African performance which even got young members of the audience up on their feet! Their drumming and dancing was a real tribute to the culture of West Africa. More info about the Baobab Tree community can be found at http://www.baobabtree.org/ The evening came to a close with the lovely local singer/songwriter Sue Seguin.

Looking for how you can become a part of the solution in the goal to alleviate extreme poverty around the world? Check out http://www.freethechildren.com/ !

Once again, thanks to Heather and the O Ambassadors of Heritage Public School for including Roots and Wings Books and our first release Seven Hands, Seven Lands in such a wonderful event!

Media Release...

OTTAWA-CARLETON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

Heritage Public School Presents

An O Ambassadors Event

Thursday February 5

6:30-8:30 p.m.

Silent Auction and Guests Speakers

$10/person

January 27 2009, Ottawa, ON – Art for Africa Auction is an evening of music, movement, and merriment hosted by the O Ambassadors Club at Heritage Public School. The event is designed to raise awareness and funds for holistic projects in developing countries.

Art for Africa Auction event will feature unique items to bid on and the Baobab Tree Performers. The Baobab Tree Performers play recreational music from Ghana. It transports the listener to a community in Ghana by celebrating the musical traditions that you would see performed at a variety of social events such as weddings, funerals, wake-keepings, baby-naming ceremonies, and other community events.

In addition to the Baobab Tree Performers, Kim Ramsay-Gorny and Lori Kirk authors of Seven Hands, Seven Lands will be in attendance. The authors of the much loved children’s book wrote the story in hopes of inspiring young minds to find similarities that they share with their world wide global neighbours. Seven Hands, Seven Lands takes readers on a journey around the world through playful verse, educational text, and creative illustrations. The ultimate goal of the book is encourage children to become respectful citizens of the world community - much like the students of Heritage Public School. “We are so excited to be a part of the O Ambassadors program and we’re proud to represent the voices of youth in Navan” said Heather Kirk, Heritage Public School teacher. “There are so many issues in our world that need our attention and we’re ready to show that youth in Navan care and want to make a difference in our world.”

Throughout the year, the Heritage Public School O Ambassadors Club will raise awareness about the importance of a holistic approach to development by focusing on the Millennium Development Goals. Every two months the club will focus on a different theme (poverty, education, health and sustainable development) in Kenya and organize fundraising and awareness-raising events for their school with the help of posters, how-to guides, regional guides and an Educator binder (with curricula).

The funds raised by students at Heritage Public School will go towards holistic development projects in East Africa, West Africa, South Asia, East Asia and Latin America. Clubs have the opportunity to choose the world regions they would like to research and support. These projects provide local children and their families with the tools they need to break the cycle of poverty. All projects will be carried out in partnership with local communities.

What: An O Ambassadors Event – Art For Africa Auction

Why: Raise funds to build a new school in Kenya< /div>

How: Silent Auction and Guests Performances -$10/person

When: Thursday February 5^th – 6:30-8:30 pm

Where: Heritage Public School, 1375 Colonial Rd.

Tickets sold in advance only