LITTLE ROCK — Three United Methodist churches hope to drum up support tonight for the people of two of Africa's most troubled countries - Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
For the 10th year, First United Methodist Church in downtown Little Rock will host its African potluck dinner, drumming and dancing event. Theressa Hoover and Wesley Chapel United Methodist churches are also sponsors.
Korto Momolu, the runner-up of last season's Project Runway and a native Liberian, will be the master of ceremonies. Church members will provide an array of African dishes and more conventional potluck staples. Mabelvale Elementary School's African Drum and Groove Ensemble will perform, as will Franklin Elementary music students. Guests also may play African drums and bid on African crafts in a silent auction.
"The event is so fun, it doesn't feel like a typical fundraiser," said organizer Nicki Spencer of Theressa Hoover. "The emphasis is on entertainment."
Liz Parkhurst of First United Methodist said the gathering typically attracts dozens of African immigrants and exchange students.
"It's really amazing to see," she said. "I think what we don't often recognize is the diversity of cultures within thatbig continent."
But make no mistake, organizers said, tonight's rhythm and revelry are intended to benefit very serious causes.
One-seventh of the funds will benefit the Arkansas United Methodist Church's Congo initiative, which provides water wells, Bibles and bicyclesto the war-torn country. The rest of the proceeds will go to support the work of Seke Rural Health Hospice, about 25 miles south of Zimbabwe's capital, Harare.
Simplisius Ngwerume and Veronica Kanyongo, the husband-and-wife team who lead the hospice, have been visitinghospice workers across the state since Feb. 8.
Their month-long stay is part of a 3-year-old partnership between Arkansas Hospice and Seke hospice arranged by the Foundation of Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa, based in Alexandria, Va.
"We paid for them to come see our hospice and get ideas for how they can better run their hospice," said Michael Aureli, the chief executive officer of Arkansas Hospice.
"We both have the same philosophy: That is, to make the final days of life as peaceful as they can be and with as high quality of life as can be for our patients."
While Arkansas Hospice typically has about 300 patients, Seke Hospice - which covers about a 120-mile radius in rural Zimbabwe - has 4,000 patients.
President Robert Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe since its independence from Britain in 1980, has long made human rights groups' lists of the world's most repressive leaders.
Under his leadership, the country's economy has collapsed.
Zimbabwe has the world's highest inflation rate - officially at 231 million percent - and a hunger crisis that has left much of the population at risk of starvation. Because of unclean water, more than 60,000 people in Zimbabwehave been infected with cholera, and 3,500 have died of the disease since August, according to The Associated Press.
Most of Seke hospice's patients suffer from AIDS, but Ngwerume and Kanyongo are seeing increasing cases of cholera.
Without conventional painkillers, Kanyongo said, she andother caregivers often rely on tree bark, leaves or other herbs to soothe their patients. With antiseptics in short supply, the caregivers disinfect their hands and clothes with burnt ash.
Until recently, the hospice's staff of about 15 have used two motorbikes to visit patients. Arkansas Hospice has donated a Toyota Land Cruiser to the group. But Kanyongo said Seke hospice still has many other needs.
The Foundation of Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa will ensure that the funds raised go to Seke hospice's work. Kanyongo said the hospice needs another nurse, and right now, some of the staff are working at half-salary - $250 a month - because the hospice hasn't raised enough money to pay more.
She and her husband don't have the cure for their country's many ills. But they do strive to relieve what pain they can, the couple said.
"We don't do much," Kanyongo said. "But we are doing what we can for the few we areable to reach." The 10th annual African potluck dinner, drumming and dancing event will be 5-8 p.m. today at First United Methodist Church, Eighth and Center streets, Little Rock. Admission is free but donations are welcome.
First Methodist also will have a series of African-themed services Sunday.
Israel Kamudzandu, a Zimbabwe native and assistant professor at St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Mo., willpreach at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Pamela D. Couture, who has studied the peacemaking practices of rural United Methodist Congolese, will preach at 8:55 a.m. Kamudzandu, Couture and hospice workers Veronica Kanyongo and Simplisius Ngwerume will participate in a panel discussion on humanitarian work at 9:45 a.m. in the church gym.
More information is available under "Mission and Outreach" at www.fumclr.org or by calling (501) 372-2256.
Religion, Pages 14, 15 on 02/28/2009