Founder of the Heshima organization, local Lexis Beattie will host Voices for Heshima on the 26th of September at Chateauguay Regional High School to raise money for her charitable organization.
Hemmingford native Lexis Beattie first made the trek to Kenya when she was only 19 years old, opting to spend three months volunteering at an orphanage. Two years later, she returned to the orphanage. What she encountered inspired her to establish Heshima, a charitable organization dedicated to educating and funding the needs of displaced orphans and vulnerable children in Africa. While Beattie actively fundraises all year, her event, Voices for Heshima, which will take place on Saturday, September 26th, is the organization’s biggest fundraiser.
The event, which will feature local musicians, a speed stacking demonstration as well as a showcase by Heshima’s own local dance troupe, Dance Not Drugs, taught by Kim Guerin, will make for a fun-filled occasion, with both a matinee and an evening show (the afternoon demonstration will feature former La Voix contestant Sule Heitner as a headliner). Guests will be able to peruse some of the beautiful jewellery and accessories that Beattie imports directly from the local market in Nairobi and a Change for Change booth will also be set up to encourage loose change donations. If enough change is gathered, guests can expect a special treat from the performers. 100% of the proceeds from the event will go to the Heshima organization, which works directly with a sole contact in Kenya to ensure that all funds raised go directly to supporting those in need—a feature that is rare within most charities. Beattie hopes that the event, which has the capacity to affect 600 people, will raise awareness about the reality that many Kenyan children face on a day-to-day basis.
Heshima, which translates to “respect, dignity and honour” in Swahili, was launched following 26-year-old Beattie’s second trip to Kenya, which she made independently. Her reason? She had lost contact with one of the children from the orphanage, Lucy. Beattie’s experience with the orphanage wasn’t ideal—upon her initial arrival into Kenya, she was less than impressed. In fact, the situation was tragic. The orphanage, which has since been disbanded, seemed to operate more like a business than a charitable organization—going so far as to recruit children from surviving family members. The children were deprived of both food and clothing, despite the fact that both were abundantly available within the orphanage—causing many of the children to return to living on the street—a situation that they deemed more satisfactory than living under the threat of the orphanage—which also had alleged involvement with other unmentionable activities within Kenya itself. Beattie re-established contact with Lucy, who is now a student within the Heshima organization. She also encountered another missing child, Joseph, who is now, along with his older brother Peter, is supported by Heshima’s efforts.
Beattie, who has not received a salary in seven years, operates the organization with Frederick Marika, a Kenyan resident who lives on site. He also runs the Heshima soccer program, which has approximately 100 participants. In addition to providing Kenyan children with a healthy extracurricular, Heshima provides the children enrolled in their program with access to an education. Currently, they support 20 children, with 10 previous students having gone on to graduate. One of their students has continued to on to college, where she is studying Community Health and Development. Her education is entirely funded by organization, and she plans to work for Heshima following her graduation.
Beattie was so vigilant about the well-being of the children that she endured threats from the orphanage itself, as well as from prominent figureheads in the area. That pressure actually led to the establishment of Heshima—Beattie was forced to register her efforts as a community-based organization to order to maintain the right to work with the displaced children—some of which she had living with her during her seven-month stint in Kenya.
Today, the children sponsored by Heshima live with relatives, which helps them to better understand the importance of family. They are overseen by Marika, who ensures that the children are treated fairly. With all funds being raised moving directly between Beattie and Marika, there is no fear of the donations falling into the wrong hands. Beattie’s efforts have resulted in the growth of the organization—and seeing these children succeed only makes her more determined.
While the Voices of Heshima is a fundraiser, it is also an event to encourage global awareness, so come out and support Beattie’s effort. Donations will be accepted in the form of spare change, cans and bottles as well as soccer equipment. For more information or to reserve tickets, contact Lexis Beattie at 438-823-2582 or visit Heshima’s Facebook page, at www.facebook.com/iamheshimaorg.
