Award-Winning Hinsdale Garden Setting for O'Brien School Fundraiser

An award-winning Hinsdale garden will serve as the backdrop for the O’Brien School for the Maasai Garden Party fundraiser on Friday, September 5 at 7 p.m.

The O’Brien School for the Maasai in Sanya Station in Tanzania was founded by Hinsdale resident Kellie O’Brien in 2006 and the fundraiser’s goal is to raise funds to operate the school to educate 370 children in grades K-7 for one year.

“The fundraiser will support the school for the next year since we will not be sending our annual shipping container this fall,” O’Brien said. “Funds will offset salaries, textbooks, food for the student meals and operational expenses.” Expenses at the school run nearly $12,000 a month which includes salaries for 18 teachers and non teaching staff, textbooks, two meals a day for 370 students, and other essential operating expenses. One-hundred percent of each dollar donated goes directly toward the expenses of this project. Student tuition is subsidized and students are only asked to pay a very small school fee to attend.”

The garden party will highlight specialty foods from local restaurants and a fine wine auction, an African ensemble and a Tanzanian Choir will provide music, there will be a presentation about the O’Brien School and its progress and opportunities to fund upcoming needs. Also guests can purchase the Upendo (Upendo means “love” in Swahili) line of jewelry made by the Maasai women of the village. The O’Brien School also assists over 100 women with jewelry making and life skills training, and supports all other villagers with healthcare and other projects. The former director of the school will be present along with several others who have visited the school and village willing to share their experiences with guests.

The O’Brien garden has been featured on the cover of national magazines and has been part of the Glorious Gardens of Hinsdale Tour. O’Brien also owns and operates English Gardens Ltd. In Hinsdale.

Tickets are $150 per person of which $100 is tax-deductible and will help pay for a teacher’s salary. Please RSVP to: kellieobrien5@gmail.com or call 630-654-2291. If you cannot attend but would like to donate visit www.obrienschool.org or make checks payable to O’Brien School for the Maasai and send to 527 W. Maple St. Hinsdale, IL 60521. For more information: www.obrienschool.org; www.facebook.com/obrienschool.