Walker grant recipient
Walker Memorial Library is a recipient of a National Endowment for the Humanities/ALA grant called “Picturing America.”
The grant is a gift of more than 20 books, some in Spanish, on the theme of how various people or groups at different times in the history of our country have portrayed the American experience.
Along with the books, Walker Memorial Library, 800 Main St., will also receive posters, bookmarks and bookplates. Staff will display these gift books throughout the coming year, giving special emphasis during the summer “Be Creative @ Walker Memorial Library” reading program.
Librarian Corinne Henning-Sachs said, “This grant will assist us in fostering cultural programming as an integral part of our service to the community. We look forward to sharing these books with library users.”
Henning-Sachs can be reached at 854-0630, ext. 4.
Banquet to benefit Central Africa needy
A pastor from Westbrook said Joseph Sebarenzi, former speaker of the Rwanda Parliament, will be a guest at the 11th annual banquet of Central Africa Vision, 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, at the Italian Heritage Center, 40 Westland Ave., Portland.
Sebarenzi lost several members of his family by genocide in 1994 that killed a million people in 100 days.
Rev. Mutima Peter, founder and president of Central Africa Vision, is inviting the public to attend the fundraiser Saturday. Peter, who is also pastor of International Christian Church in Portland, started the outreach organization in 2000 to help widows and orphans in the Congo, Rwanda and Burundi.
A native of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Peter has lived in Westbrook since 1998 after fleeing his homeland in 1993 to escape violence.
Besides continuing relief programs, Peter returns to central Africa each year in an effort to reconcile factions in the strife-torn region. In 2004, he witnessed the aftermath of a massacre at a refugee camp in Burundi just minutes away from where he had held a peace meeting that day.
Those wishing to attend the banquet should RSVP immediately at 284-0019 or e-mail cavusabanquet@yahoo.com
Central Africa Vision can be reached at 773-8811 or by mail at P.O. Box 1975, Portland, Maine 04104.
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