Want to get involved in sending the Zambian Barista Champ on her way to Addis? Check out this appeal from our friend and partner, Bob Keating… And you can donate easy by just clicking here!
Dear Friends & Family,
On November 23, 2011 Dailess Nalwamba, a coffee barista from Blue Moon Cafe, won the 2012 Zambia National Barista Championships. It was an amazing day. I had closed Blue Moon early so that all our staff could attend the awards ceremony. When they called Dailess’s name as the Champion my staff rushed the stage, threw her into the air, and began chanting “Blue Moon, Blue Moon, Blue Moon.” They even starting dancing the Blue Moon Slide, which I didn’t know existed. It was great to see all our hard work and practice pay off.
We are now working to send Dailess to the birthplace of coffee, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from February 15-19, 2012, to compete in the Africa Barista Championships. After Addis, Dailess is off to the 2012 World Barista Championship in Vienna, Austria, from June 12-15, 2012. These are two high-profile events and we are excited to get to represent Zambia at each. On top of this, we are also working to be able to send one of Dailess’s fellow baristas from Blue Moon with her to each event. The issue….we need to raise some money to cover their travel and registration costs.
I’d like to kindly ask for your help by donating $40 to buy a ticket to the Mini-Golf Tournament & Marlin Lunch Fundraiser on January 28th. Marlin is our local steakhouse and the steaks are wonderful! I realize almost all of you will not be able to go to this event. But, if you do buy a ticket we will organize for a lady from the Chikumbuso Women’s & Orphans Project to take your place.
Chikumbuso is a fantastic organization that helps over 85 single mothers and widows by teaching them sewing skills, cooking skills, and life skills. They also provide free schooling for over 300 kids in the Ng’ombe area. I should also mention that all of my staff at Blue Moon Café come from Chikumbuso. For many of these ladies, having the chance to laugh over a round of mini-golf and eat a delicious meal at one of Lusaka’s best restaurants will be a once in a lifetime experience. Visit www.chikumbuso.com to learn more about Chikumbuso.
If you are able to purchase a ticket, we will send you an emailed video thank-you from the Chikumbuso lady(s) that you sponsored. It’s a small token of our appreciation and we think you will enjoy getting to see the smile you put on someone’s face. Our goal is to sell 100 tickets to earn enough to cover two RT plane tickets to Addis Ababa.
Details of how you can help out are in the attached flier. You can purchase your ticket…or TICKETS…by sending money to me via Paypal, by sending a check to my parents in Florida, or by sending a check to my friend Moges in Washington, DC. Please feel free to forward this email to other friends you think may want to help. Thank you in advance for your contribution.
Bob Keating
Managing Director
Blue Moon Café
Lusaka, Zambia
260-0977-368-628 or 1-202-657-5671 (free international call to my Zambian cell)