| What's New 6/8/08? |
Kamogawa Sponsored Walk 2008 Kyoto, Japan |
Once again, this year, 40 walkers laced up their sneakers, velcroed their sandals, etc, and stepped out to take part in the 4th Kamogawa Sponsored Walk on the morning of Sunday June 8th.
Walking (strolling) the 10km course up and down the banks of the delightful Kamo River in Kyoto were 40 folks of a variety of nationalities, young and old, students, teachers, actors and businesspeople, amongst others.
Following the morning’s perambulations we retired to the watering hole named McLoughlin’s Irish Bar & Restaurant, and in an event which has now become something of a post-walk tradition, ate a terrific buffet lunch (beautifully prepared by Mr. Tadg McL and staff) and then drank heartily for the rest of the day.
Once all the money had been collected from the 485 sponsors who so generously donated, we had a total of 947,000 yen. Half of this amount was sent to support the wee ones at the Laliguras Children’s Home in Kathmandu, Nepal, and the other half was converted to US dollars (approx. $ 4.300.00) and sent to the Zienzele Foundation.
Once again, the friends of Zienzele in Kyoto are very happy to be able to support the work of the Zienzele Foundation, and we wish everyone concerned all the very best in these troubled times.
Love to all
Kevin Ramsden
| What's New 10/27/07? |
‘ComeTogether’:A Charity Party in Aid of the Zienzele Foundation Kyoto, Japan |
On the evening of October 27th, 2007, a charity party was held at McLoughlin’s Irish Bar & Restaurant in Kyoto in aid of the Zienzele Foundation. This event was part of the larger ‘Imagine Peace’ project organized by the students, faculty members and staff of Kyoto University of Foreign Studies to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the university’s foundation. The Imagine Peace project itself included a ‘Peace as a Global Language’ conference, a Model United Nations, a Hunger Banquet, and several other exhibitions and events.
The ‘Come Together’ party was a great success, and over 100 people came along to listen to performances by local musicians and KUFS students. There was also a grand prize draw, and a terrific buffet dinner laid on by the bar owners Tadg and Mika McLoughlin. Many of the partygoers also signed special message boards to our friends in Zimbabwe, and these were posted off to Harare soon after the event
After the singing, dancing and dust had all settled, we were very happy to have raised the sum of US$ 3.124.00, which we subsequently sent off to the Zienzele Foundation office in the United States.
On behalf of the students, staff and faculty members of KUFS, as well as all the friends and supporters of Zienzele in Kyoto, I would like to say a very big hello to all the staff, carers and children of Zienzele, and would like them to know they are always in our thoughts.
Cheers for now
Kevin Ramsden
| What's New 6/12/07? |
Kamogawa Sponsored Walk 2007, Kyoto, Japan |
On Sunday June 3rd, 2007, a merry band of some 40 walkers set off on the 3rd Annual Kamogawa Sponsored Walk to raise funds for two very worthwhile charities: The Zienzele Foundation, supporting AIDS orphans in Zimbabwe, and the Laliguras Children’s Home for war orphans, Kathmandu, Nepal. The walking group was comprised of a real mixed bag of nationalities, making the event a truly international gathering. There were students, teachers, actors, business people and more. Countries represented included, Japan, Korea, England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand and France.
The course followed the beautiful Kamogawa River, which flows through the heart of the ancient capital of Japan, Kyoto, for 10 km. The walkers were blessed with cooler and cloudier conditions than the previous year, so did not suffer unduly from the early summer heat. After approximately two and a half hours, the end was in sight, and all the participants trooped into a local hostelry, McLoughlin’s Irish Bar and Restaurant, where a sumptuous buffet lunch awaited them ( a couple of beers, too). A grand time was had by one and all.
After counting up the total sponsorship gathered by the walkers and their supporters, it was obvious we were going to far exceed the total of last year. Fifty percent of the total of about US$ 8.000.00 will find its way to the Zienzele Foundation and all the folks involved are extremely happy that they have been able to contribute this to our friends in Zimbabawe.
Good luck to all the staff, carers and children of the Zienzele Foundation.
Be lucky
Kevin Ramsden
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(click on any image to enlarge)
