San Rafael Ghana orphanage Benefit-1st of many

By Jessica Bernstein-Wax
Posted: 06/21/2010 05:33:38 PM PDT IJ

Katherine Theus hugs Kevin, 5, an orphan at the Christian Refuge Orphanage Center in Bawjiase, Ghana.
A 23-year-old San Rafael woman is hoping to raise $20,000 by the end of September for a soon-to-be displaced Ghana orphanage.

Katherine Theus, a 2004 Terra Linda High School graduate, spent the first three months of the year volunteering at the Christian Refuge Orphanage Center in Awutu Bawjiase, Ghana. On learning that the 30 children and six staffers she had gotten to know during her trip would have to vacate the orphanage, Theus said she decided to try to raise money for a new building.

The orphanage, which often struggles to meet payroll and feed the children, owns a piece of land but has no money to construct a substitute residence, Theus said.

"The $20,000 is enough to build the first floor with six rooms and get electricity in," Theus said. She noted that all 30 children live in just two rooms at the existing orphanage.

After returning from Africa, Theus ran into her middle school physical education teacher at Scotty's Market off Manuel T. Freitas Parkway in Terra Linda. Theus said another shopper overheard her describing the orphanage's problems and suggested she contact San Francisco nonprofit Mama Hope.

The nonprofit agreed to help organize a series of fundraisers, the first of which will be a 6 p.m. Saturday at the Pint Size Lounge, 1615 Fourth St. in San Rafael. Advance tickets cost $10 and can be purchased at http://orphanagefundraiser.eventbrite.com. Attendees can also buy tickets at the door for $13.

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