by Bruce Murray, M.D.,Yamba Abaana Board member and co-founder
Grace and her sisters holding photos of students the family sponsors
The power of love and compassion was on full display recently in Grants Pass, OR. For the purpose of raising awareness and donations for Yamba Abaana, Grace Pitzak and her family hosted a wonderful event to benefit the Rubanda Solidarity School. Grace is a 17 year old Grants Pass High School senior and accomplished pianist. She decided that for her Senior year music recital she would also host a benefit for Yamba Abaana in her home. She said, “I was nervous about performing for an event focused solely on myself, and since my family has been involved in sponsoring three girls from the Rubanda Solidarity School, I thought it would be a great idea to turn it into a benefit for this cause that means so much to me.”
More than 40 friends and neighbors attended and were treated to a wonderful piano concert with more than 10 classical selections played. Her performance was truly inspired including the piece where she played a duet with her father, Andrew Pitzak. He is a local physician and former partner of mine at the Grants Pass Clinic.
Before the music began I was asked to say a few words about the founding of school and Yamba Abaana’s mission. Afterwards, while a wonderful dessert social was hosted by Grace’s mom, Joanna, donations for the school were collected. “Yamba Abaana is a fantastic organization,” Grace said. “I love what it stands for and what it’s doing to improve the lives of children in Uganda. The education that the Rubanda Solidarity School is giving these kids is important and life-changing, something they couldn’t get anywhere else without generous donations.” At the end of the evening more than $1300 had been collected!
Grace hopes to attend Brigham Young University next year. She is clearly focused on giving others the opportunities that sometimes all of us may take for granted here in the USA. As Grace put it: “Over the course of my life, one of my goals is to help people. I want to get to know them and be able to serve them and their families. One thing that I am very passionate about is service. I want to help with Humanitarian Aid foundations around the world to help developing countries get access to clean water, sanitation, and better education. I want to make people happy and make the world a better place for everyone.” Someday I hope that Grace will travel to Africa and see what her contribution has done to help the children of Rubanda achieve their goals as well.
Dear Grace, your wonderful sisters, and great parents, Happy Easter.
I am thrilled to see this inspiring article of your generous passion for the love of others/neighbor. Indeed if it was not for love, there wouldn’t have been a sufficient reason for us to be created. But because we come out of love, we ought to be useful in love. You chose the best part to play.
I am just amazed at how you thought of us the Yamba Abaana for Rubanda Solidarity School. Just to mention, the school was born thirteen years ago, out of sheer need to provide to poor and desperate children of Rubanda community/ village with a place where they could receive three meals a day. It has since become their second home and a village of over three hundred students. It has attracted a family of friends across the globe and I am pleased to count you Grace, among the newest on the list though your family went on years ago with the sponsorship of the three beautiful girls who are enjoying the benefits of the school they love to call their second home.
To your parents and siblings, a big thank you for nurturing your passion. And to all the attendees of your musical concert and donations, thank you so dearly for loving grace, her cause in us and your generous heart. I can’t end without naming Grace the distinguished “Ambassador” of Yamba Abaana and Rubanda Solidarity School wherever you are. You are our Honorary member. Thank you so much and I keep you in my prayers for a wonderful and successful mission of love ahead of you. We love you, Grace.