Welcome to our 2026 Rafiki Gala!

There is hope for a tree that has been cut for it will sprout again.

Lipo tumaini kwa mti uliokatwa, maana ukikatwa utachipuka tena.

Plant Hope Today

Menus

DINNER

Nyama Choma
Smoked Beef with Chapati

Samaki Mweupe wa Kuchoma
Chargrilled Swai with Pili Pili Sauce

Maharagwe ya Nazi
Coconut Braised Red Beans and Tomatoes

Kenyan Pilau Rice

Mboga za Mizizi za Kuchoma
Herbed Roasted Root Vegetables

Kale Salad
Tomato, cucumbers, red pepper, red onions, baby corn, citrus vinaigrette

Dinner Rolls - Ugali

DESSERT MENU

Meyers Lemon Mini Tarts 

French Macarons 

Chocolate Turtle Fourless Bites

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Anonymous

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

Silent Auction Items

Thanks to all who generously donated some auction items! Click here to browse the items.

Kenyan Artisan Jewelry & Basket Collection
Bring a touch of Kenya home with these handcrafted treasures!

Black Leather Clutch
Handmade by artisans at Anchor Leather Craft Kenya

Chadds Ford Gift Basket
Donated by The Naked Lady Gallery & Shop and other local artisans

Large Sisal Basket
Handwoven from local sisal by women artisans in Kenya

Art Piece by Agathe Bouton
From the Soirée d’Eté series (Summer Evening)

Kenya Tablecloth and Napkins
Bring the beauty and artistry of Kenya to your table.

Tree of Life Wool Rug
Handcrafted by skilled women artisans in Mexico

Keap Candles Collection
Four candles from one of New York’s best candle makers! 

Kenyan Kitenge Dragonfly Accent Pillows
Handmade pillows by artist Jackie Ingram

Peaceful Lancaster Weeknight Getaway
One-night weeknight stay for 2-4 adults at The Smucker House

Westside Coffee & Handmade Mugs
Coffee from Westside Coffee Collective and two handmade mugs by artist and potter Debra Lane

Instructions to bid on the silent auction items:

Step 1: Download the Givi app
Download the Givi app and create an account. You will receive a verification code to complete your registration.

Step 2: Register for the Neema Silent Auction
Once you have created your Givi account:

• Find Neema Project and Select Upcoming Events.

• Register for the Neema Silent Auction and select your free ticket.

• Enter your contact and payment information.

• Select your notification preference: Text message recommended!

• You’re all set to preview items and ready to bid once the auction opens!

Live Auction Items

Thanks to all who generously donated some auction items!

Handwoven Sisal Baskets

Amsha and Azizi partner with rural Rwandans to bring fair trade beauty to your life and theirs. Artisans across Rwanda are hand crafting beautiful goods with a vision to lift their families out of poverty. With their fair-trade income, parents are caring for the health, nutrition, and education of their children. We are honored to share in the artisans’ visions for a better future by auctioning off these gorgeous wall hangings this evening. 

These handwoven baskets are crafted from natural sisal fibers threaded over a core of locally-gathered forest grasses. In addition to making a beautiful table display, these baskets can also be hung as art. 

Original Artwork by Agathe Bouton - Soirée d'Été series

Agathe Bouton is a French artist living and working in the Philadelphia area whose boundary-pushing printmaking and paper works exhibit influence from living and working in international cities across the globe. Through a modern approach to printmaking, Agathe Bouton makes monotypes, prints, installations, artist books, paper clothing, and paintings that play with improvisation and superimposition in their creation. The two pieces are from her Soirée d’Été (Summer Evening) series that was inspired by the artist’s daily walks in her neighborhood during COVID-19 in 2020. Each piece is a unique 11x8 monochrome monotype created using plants she collected along the way. 

Cooking Class for 6 with Chef Alex in Kennett Square

Come with your friends or family and learn to cook with Chef Alex Shampino! A Downingtown native and graduate of Philadelphia's Restaurant School at Walnut College, Chef Alex brings over 25 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. The package is for 6 people in Chef Alex’s Tasting Room in Kennett Square.

Ice Cream Truck for Home Garden Party from Hangry Bear Craft Creamery

Bring the sweetest part of the party right to your doorstep with the Hangry Bear Creamery Ice Cream Truck! Perfect for birthdays, family gatherings, neighborhood or celebrations, this package includes a private ice cream truck experience for up to 50 guests within a 20-mile radius of Kennett Square. Guests will enjoy handcrafted ice cream from one of Chester County’s favorite creameries, served with all the fun and nostalgia of a classic ice cream truck. Treat your friends and family to a memorable event that’s guaranteed to delight guests of all ages! 

4 Phillies Hall of Fame Club Level Tickets

Take me out to the ballgame! This package includes four (4) 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. 

Glassblowing Class for Two at WGK near Kennett Square

Discover the art of glassblowing with a hands-on class for two adults at WGK Glass, THE glassblowing destination of Chester County. Learn the basics of working with molten glass and create your own one-of-a-kind piece under the guidance of an experienced glass artist. Choose the class that works best for you from the 2027 event schedule, making this a fun and memorable experience for a couple, friends, or anyone looking to try something new. This package includes two hand-blown ornaments: a lily-of-the-valley and a hummingbird. 

Season’s Greetings: Professional Photo & Card Bundle

This package includes a portrait or family picture by Tessa Marie Images for your 2026/2027 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 served on the Neema Board for many years and has taken many of the photographs featured in Neema’s publications. This package is for up to 200 cards.

tessamarieimages.com
tessamariecommercial.com

Moroccan Handwoven Rug

Every handwoven wool rug tells a story — not just through its rich textures and vibrant patterns, but through the skilled hands of Moroccan women artisans who pour tradition, resilience, and artistry into every piece. This wool rug was handmade by Naima Outeglaout and Fatima Ahzmad, members of Numedia Tabudrart women's cooperative, from the village of Imelghass Ait Bouguemez of the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. By purchasing this beautiful rug, 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. 

The Gift of Their Story - The Legacy Experience

Give your family the gift of a story they can treasure for generations. The Legacy Experience is offering a private interview with founder Jennifer Peterkin, host of the award-winning podcast The Human Experience and a professional life-story interviewer trusted to hold space for the memories that matter most. Jennifer will sit down with a grandparent, parent, or any person whose story matters to you — and guide a conversation that becomes a keepsake recording for your family, for generations. Someday, their voice will be the thing you treasure most. This is your chance to make sure you have it. Jennifer will travel within 50 miles of West Chester to conduct the interview in person, but a Zoom interview could also be an option. In addition to the audio file, a book with the transcript of the interview will be given (pictures can be placed inside the book if provided). See more at thehxpod.com

A Book for Every Child

Help us launch Neema’s new Children’s Education Program by building its very first children’s library—and make sure every child who “graduates” from the program gets to take a book home! 

Your winning bid will turn this first collection of books into a lasting resource for Neema’s children and their families. The books will be available for children to read and enjoy at Neema, with each child able to leave with a book of their own—bringing the joy of reading home. Your support will also provide shelving, repairs, and storytimes, allowing this library to grow and serve Neema’s children for years to come.

This special library begins with a generous donation of 100+ new books from children’s author Ben Okon, perhaps best known for “Dinos Love Donuts,” and author behind the Younger Me Academy. Booksellers and booklovers have teamed up to further expand the collection into a beautiful selection that sparks imagination and enriches young learners. Thanks so much to Forage Books of Kennett Square and Friends of Neema for contributing to this special new library pilot. 

And there’s a little something for you too: The winning bidder will take home a special selection of Ben’s books! For the winning bidder, Ben has donated a signed Younger Me Academy complete box set (8 books), 1 signed, original, limited run hardcover of I Am King Chameleon (1 of 500), 1 signed experiment copy of Don’t Touch My Book With Your Dirty Little Hands, and 1 signed, first-run author copy of bestseller Dinos Love Donuts (1 of 30). 

Special Thanks

Kristina and Arthur Avedisian 

Agathe Bouton

Ken Coyle

Kirsten Dickerson

John Rockwell Hosbach

Jackie Ingram

Juhan Kim

Debra Lane

Lindsay and Brian McIntire

Patricia and Charles Neral

Theresa and Bob Newman

Ben Okon

Daniel Peterkin

Jennifer Peterkin

Jessica and Doug Phaup

Rita and Ajit Sancheti

Fan and Carl Smucker

Melinda and David Snow

Leah and Dante Tasca

Keshet and Jim Witmer

The Neema Team, Neema Board, and Volunteers

Featured Graduate: Florence

Because of your investment in the hopes and dreams of the students at Neema, young women like Florence have opportunities they never could have imagined. In our testimonial video this evening, you'll see just how much Florence and her family's lives have been transformed!

"Neema changed my story. I can't hide my happiness. I now have hope that I did not have before."

About Neema

Equipping young women to build futures rooted in dignity and hope.

The Need

Young women in rural Kenya navigate serious challenges that limit their ability to envision a brighter future.

Sources: World Bank, KNBS

Neema by the Numbers

Three-year program with three certificate pathways (tailoring, catering, agribusiness)

189 Young women have graduated from the program

100% Of graduates hold at least one certificate

51 Young women and 22 children at Neema in 2026

A young woman’s transformation doesn’t happen in isolation. Her future is shaped by the family and community she returns to, and the support systems — or lack of them — that surround her every day.

That’s why Neema invests beyond campus. The Neema Collective funds the work that holds transformation in place: counseling for families, coaching for graduates, outreach to local schools, and partnerships with churches. Together, these programs extend the reach of hope. Your recurring gift makes this possible — month after month, year after year.

Neema Impact Safari

Join us on an unforgettable Kenyan adventure to support Neema from October 25 - November 1, 2027!

Imagine watching elephants in the Maasai Mara, learning the art of Kenyan craftsmanship from local artisans, and connecting with the students, their children and families whose lives are transformed by Neema’s mission.

This is more than a safari — it’s a journey of purpose.

Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel with purpose — connecting through culture, conservation, and community.

Email info@neemaproject.org for more information.