Welcome to our 2025 Rafiki Gala!

Nuru ya kesho hupatikana leo.

Tomorrow’s light is found today.

Menus

PASSED APPETIZERS

Mishkaki
papaya marinated beef skewers

Matoke
stewed and fried sweet plantain topped with cilantro dipping sauce

Makai Shooters
charred corn, lemon, garlic, chile, micro cilantro

Mtuzi wa Kamba
shrimp in a curry-tamarind sauce

DINNER MENU

Mukimo
Mashed potato, pea, and spinach

Wali wa Nazi
Coconut rice with toasted coconut

Sukuma
Collards braised in vegetable stock with onions and tomato

Nyama Choma
Smoked beef with chapati and kachumbari

Kenyan Curry Chicken Stew
Matoke with fried fish fillets, braised plantain, tomato, onion, spices

Green Salad with Roasted Sweet Potato and Roasted Corn

DESSERT MENU

Chocolate Turtle Flourless Bites

Meyers Lemons Mini Tarts

Raspberry Cheesecake Bites

Blondies Brownies

Eclairs

French Macarons

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Anonymous

Joan and Hank Winchester

Blessed to be a Neema partner.

"And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrificies God is pleased."

Hebrews 13:16

Event Auction Items

Thanks to all who generously donated these auction items!

Handwoven Sisal Bags

These bags are handmade from sisal fiber in Kenya and finished with tough leather handles and carved wood for closure. The striped patterns are made by combining sisal with blended wool. Making sisal baskets is a slow process: after removing the bark from the spiky sisal leaves, the fibers are then twined, dyed twice, and dried.

Each weave is made with great care. It takes between two and three weeks to complete a bag and is traditionally crafted by elderly women. Occasionally a little bump in the sisal or a knot can be seen. This will not affect the purse’s durability, and it only adds to the charm of the craft.

Artwork by Benjamin Brand

Benjamin Brand is a writer who lives in Los Angeles, California. He began painting during the coronavirus lockdown and has been making up for lost time. He finds his inspiration from looking up, down, close up and from afar at his environment that never ceases to give him new ideas.

Phillies Hall of Fame Tickets

Four Hall of Fame Club Level tickets to a regular season game in Philadelphia next year. The Hall of Fame Club combines upscale amenities with fantastic sightlines to provide a unique viewing experience for all fans. You and your guests will have access to the private climate-controlled lounges, upscale concessions, full-service bars and Cooperstown Gallery filled with one of a kind baseball memorabilia.

Local Farm to Table Dinner for 4 by Chef Alex

Chef Alex Shimpeno will create a menu and will come to your home and cook a 3 course meal for 4 guests. Each course will be paired with a tasting of local craft beer or wine. A Downingtown native and graduate of Philadelphia's Restaurant School at Walnut College, Chef Alex brings 24 years of experience to the table. Serving Chester County and beyond, Alex's focus is creating amazing food served by great people to provide an outstanding experience to clients. Dinner has to be organized within 20 miles of West Chester.

“Lake and Pine” - 4 nights at a House in Lake Harmony, PA

This sunny, lakefront cottage includes its own private boat dock with sunset views and a sandy shore. Build your own adventure with a weekend kayak ride to Nick's Lake House Restaurant or the Thirsty Moose Saloon for live music, or hike the waterfall trail and boulder field at Hickory Run State Park. This package includes 4 nights for up to 12 guests (except holidays). House includes 4 bedrooms (9 beds) and 2 baths.

A Week in Florida: Luxury Home on Siesta Key

This is a 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom newly built home across 2,292 sq ft on Siesta Key with private heated pool and pond view in a gated community. It has an open floor plan and a direct view through the screened porch to the pool and an 80’ lake. The open kitchen has Viking appliances, solid wood cabinetry, and quartz countertops. There is a furnished screened patio beside the heated spillover pool and spa which overlooks the fresh water lake. The home is 3 minutes from Siesta Key and 7 minutes from Siesta Beach. With its white sand and crystal clear water, Siesta Beach was voted #1 in the USA.

Canoe & Dine on the Brandywine River

Northbrook Canoe Company, a family-owned business, invites you to experience the magic of the Brandywine River like never before. Picture yourself drifting down its gentle waters, the sunlight sparkling around you, before arriving at a hidden grove where a beautifully catered dinner awaits. As live music fills the air, laughter and conversation flow, and the evening culminates in a glowing bonfire beneath a sky full of stars. This unforgettable adventure is designed for four adults—a perfect blend of excitement and timeless memories.

Art Piece from African Artist Joseph Muzondo

Internationally celebrated as one of Zimbabwe’s most original sculptors, Joseph Muzondo also works in painting, printmaking, and design. His linocuts echo the bold, angular forms of his stone sculpture, blending portraiture and abstraction with references to masks and African visual traditions. Sculptural Images captures his signature exploration of identity, form, and texture — a powerful example of his vision beyond stone. Exhibited worldwide and held in major museum and private collections, Muzondo’s work stands as a cornerstone of contemporary African art.

Seasons Greetings in Style: Professional Photo & Card Bundle

This package includes a portrait or family picture by Tessa Marie Images for your 2026 holiday cards, which will be printed by Star Printing at no cost. Capture a beautiful, professional photo and share your holiday greetings in style with friends and family.

Tessa has been a photographer for over 15 years. She started her business as a sophomore in college while completing her Bachelor’s of Photography at the Tyler School of Art at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. There, she mastered strong technical skills while being stretched conceptually in the fine arts. Her career began with portraits and weddings, and her Lancaster County studio now includes both portrait and commercial divisions. In 2015, she was hired as Staff Photographer for Main Line Today magazine and has worked with businesses on the Main Line, in Philadelphia, Lancaster, and across surrounding states. Her work has been featured in numerous publications, and she specializes in headshots, corporate, and portrait photography. Tessa also serves on the Neema Board and has taken many of the photographs featured in Neema’s publications.

This package is for up to 200 cards.

tessamarieimages.com
tessamariecommercial.com

Kenya Handwoven Rug

Every handwoven wool rug tells a story — not just through its rich textures and vibrant patterns, but through the skilled hands of Kenyan women artisans who pour tradition, resilience, and artistry into every piece. By purchasing this beautiful run, you’re not only bringing timeless beauty and warmth into your home, but also empowering women craftworkers, supporting their families, and preserving generations of cultural heritage. Each rug is more than décor — it’s a connection to craftsmanship, community, and meaningful impact.

Size 57 in x 35 in

Stepping Into Tomorrow - Fashion Shoes for Neema Students

Step into style and change lives with this extraordinary auction package. Not only will you take home two pairs of Dansko shoes of your choice and enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes visit to the Dansko design studio, but your winning bid will also deliver something truly unforgettable: 55 pairs of brand-new shoes for the Neema girls, just in time for their 2025 Fashion Show this November. To top it off, the girls will be treated to an inspiring Zoom call with members of the Dansko team, giving these young designers and future small business owners the rare opportunity to learn from a global brand.The package is donated by the Dansko Foundation which is led by Dansko employees. The Foundation fosters a culture of giving by encouraging team members to get directly involved in its philanthropic efforts. Employees are invited to sponsor grant applications for causes they care about, participate in volunteer activites through paid time off, and amplify their impact with matched contributions from the company. The Dansko Foundation proudly supports community-based nonprofit organizations, with a focus on human services and youth development.

Special Thanks

Lola and Sese Abhulimen

Benjamin Brand

Tessa and Andrew Dilley

Ronald Kopas

Carla and Gregory Lusby

Joyce Gizzio Markland

Dean McAlister

Lindsay and Brian McIntire

Patricia and Charles Neral

Theresa and Bob Newman

Rita and Ajit Sancheti

Melinda and David Snow

Leah and Dante Tasca

Keshet and Jim Witmer

Rachel and Steve Woodruff

The Neema Team and volunteers

Featured Graduate: Iddah

Because you took action and invested generously in the hopes and dreams of the students at Neema, young women like Iddah have opportunities they never could have imagined. In our testimonial video this evening, you'll see just how much Iddah and her family’s life has been transformed!

"Neema impacted my life [because] I learned to interact with others, manage my anger, and I learned how to personally read the Bible and pray. The skills have helped me to provide for my needs, pay my bills, [meet] my children's needs [including] school fees, and support my mother."

Why are young women in rural Kenya at risk?

Extreme material poverty disproportionately affects women, leading to their victimization. 

Long-standing traditions and beliefs, along with high levels of poverty, can be huge hurdles to overcome. In Kenya, girls are more likely to drop out of school than boys because of poverty, the burden of household chores and responsibilities, and insecure learning environments. These factors aid in the risks of early pregnancies, sexual abuse, and violence against women.

How does Neema empower young women?

Neema embraces a development model of restoration, education, and transformation. We provide a safe and nurturing environment for vulnerable young women (and their children) where, through skills training, trauma-counseling, and discipleship, they learn a trade, heal from their past trauma, and realize that they are valuable members of the community.

Becoming a member of the Grace Collective is about believing change can happen. As a monthly donor, you’re joining with us in the long-term fight to see the systemic problems of gender inequality and extreme poverty overturned so that opportunity can be unleashed for young women in rural Kenya. This won’t only change her, but her family and her community as well.