Nonprofit collects twice its goal for Kenya school

The “Safari of Hope” fundraiser Sept. 20 at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, which sought to raise $150,000 to help build a private girls’ middle school in Kenya, more than doubled its expected proceeds, co-organizer Jene Meece said.

Meece, the vice chairwoman of the Newport Beach nonprofit African Child Fund, said the event garnered more than $400,000. African Child Fund, which members of Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Newport Beach founded three years ago, supports the African Child Foundation, a Kenyan charity that builds and operates private schools for underprivileged children.

“I was hoping to meet last year’s goal, and so I remained stunned for two days after the event,” Meece said. “We are actually planning to break ground on the school in December.”

The fundraiser included dinner, wine, live music and a Kenyan-style village marketplace in the hotel’s amphitheater area.

— Michael Miller