JANUARY
Turk films William Kamkwamba’s Feed The Peace Acceptance Speech at Sundance
Officially SOLD OUT 2019 Feed the Peace Awards Dinner!
Beatrice and former students implement a new library categorization system at Mahiga
FEBRUARY
Woody Creek Dinner at Bonneville
Turk promotes Grace and The Moon at StoryMoja Fest hosted by Aga Khan Academy #kusomanipoa
Christy congratulates Olmoran’s Jumpstart Scholars Mary, Euphrasia and Hudson
MARCH
One lucky auction bidder scores HIGHLY sought-after tickets to Willie's Luck Reunion
Cassidy represents The Nobelity Project at SXSW: Richard’s Rainwater teamed with Well Aware at Pool Burger to educate attendees about clean water initiatives
DC+A secures a J1 Visa for Joe!
Jumpstart Scholar James Ndegwa advances his career at KTTC!
APRIL
The Nobelity Project Team celebrates Dick Clark Architecture with a happy hour at Lonesome Dove: Dick’s continued support built the Mahiga Hope Legacy Library
Alex and Jennifer Chapman bid on Willie and won! They get to see him at Whitewater Amphitheater. David Dachner enjoys Joan Baez at the Paramount. Thanks FTP19 sponsors!
Nearly 2,000 Central Texas middle-schoolers fill the Paramount Theater for our annual screening of Turk’s documentary, Building Hope. This field trip is an opportunity for US students to visit a historic landmark, engage with their fellow classmates in Kenya, and hopefully be inspired to create change of their own.
MAY
Longtime donor and friend Paul Twitchell enjoys his winning bid from the Feed The Peace auction to see the Avett Brothers and Lukas Nelson perform at Whitewater Amphitheater!
U.S. based supporters of The Nobelity Project write postcards to students in Kenya, which Christy presents at 3 schools. Gibson sends Turk home with kids’ colorful replies!
JUNE
Jumpstart Scholar Joe Mwithiga arrives in Austin! Joe is our first college scholarship recipient to participate in a global internship. Thanks to Dick Clark Architects and Associates, especially Mark Vornberg and Kris White for pushing through red tape and acting as Joe’s ambassador.
JULY
Turk celebrates his birthday working in Kenya, including:
Presenting laptops to St. Monica Munyaka Secondary grads, an all girl boarding school
Steve Kuhn hosts a ‘Game Fair’ to teach students about strategy-focused games
Kinyaiti and Wendiga construction progresses
Mahiga, Mwangaza, Muthuini, Ikumare, Simbara, Kanyoni, Ol Meoshi visits
Jumpstart Scholar Orientation held at Laburra
StoryMoja Librarian training was held at Honi
Back in Austin, staff member Cassidy Schulze transitions to her new full-time position at Ballet Austin. She continues to support our CRM transition to Salesforce, consulting with Christy and Liz weekly. Big thanks to board member Joey Martin for helping us streamline our database!
AUGUST
The Nobelity Project office moves: thanks to Mercury Mambo especially Arreaga Farmers Insurance Agency and Bo Duncan and STAV Creative for providing working spaces.
Thanks to Joslyn and Sean Dobson for hosting the CapCityKids Empowerment Academy, where backpacks and school supplies are distributed to Austin’s student population facing homelessness. The CCK Community Grant from The Nobelity Project supports this annual event, which also offers immunizations and community resources for families.
Beatrice Macharia, our Kenya Scholarship Coordinator, has a birthday! Her work with Jumpstart Scholars and also as the librarian at Mahiga Hope High School is unparalleled. The kids love her and so does Liz.
SEPTEMBER
Congratulations to Kadie and Greg Elsner on the birth of their first child, William August Elsner. Their fantastic addition coincides beautifully with the construction of Greg’s passion project in Kenya: Mugunda Maternity Clinic.
Another first! Austin welcomes the Pirate’s Cup Charity Golf Tournament to Falconhead Golf off RR620. Historically a Honduran event, this year’s tourney raises funds for literacy programming with Austin Bat Cave, Kenya libraries, and of course our Roatán Bookmobile partner. Major support from Falconhead Golf Club, Todd and Stephanie Routh, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Jon Gerber for bringing in Captain Morgan and Ramona Wine as sponsors, Twisted X Brewing, David Smith for High Brew, The Ford and Ciola families for catering with TC4. There’s no tournament without the teams - thanks for playing!
Yet another first! Austin welcomes Nicky Fitzgerald of Angama Foundation to team up with the Greatest Maasai Mara Photography competition. Precision Camera and Departure Lounge generously host exhibits where photos are auctioned off in elaborate framing courtesy of Fast Frames in Westlake.
The Nobelity Team welcomes Baylie Beebe as part-time staff, she’s the best!
Mahiga Hope takes 5th in regional dance competitions!
OCTOBER
Turk returns to Kenya to document progress at schools and visit construction at Kiambogo. He also presents MASK Awards to student artists from across Kenya. Final revisions of kiswalhili translations are made on his children's book, Grace and the Moon (now available in a Spanish)!
NOVEMBER
Our fall 4x4 Concert raises enough to fund the construction of 2 new classrooms in Kiambogo! Thanks to Gibson Guitar Showroom, TC&4, Nomadic Beerworks, and board member Leslie Moore’s Word of Mouth Bakery for showing everyone a good time. Performances by: Van Wilks and Josh Smith, Slaid Cleaves, Del Castillo Trio, Bill Carter with Gabe Rhodes and Bale Allen
Christy and Liz celebrate birthdays, and there's much to be grateful for over the holidays.
2019 Spotlight on Jumpstart Scholarship Program:
30 tuitions paid, 6 graduations attended!
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