King Lai Cultural Dance at Trinity Presbyterian Church

Combine culture and compassion with Kenya and kids. The result is “Helping Hands – King Lai Cultural Dance Performance,” a fundraiser to benefit schoolchildren in Kenya.

The program, scheduled for Sunday at , will feature more than a dozen multi-cultural music and dance presentations, including a Chinese ribbon dance, Latin salsa, selections from Broadway musicals and more.

All proceeds benefit the Maywood Rotary Kenya Project, which provides food, clothing and education to more than 300 children in the Maasai Mara region of the West African nation. The Project aims to improve educational opportunities for Maasai youth by helping one school at a time while respecting Maasai culture and fostering financial independence.

Trinity Church Pastor Rev. Samuel Stone and his wife, Sophie are members of the Rotary Club and connected the Kenya Project with their King Lai dance presentations.

“Starting last year, Trinity Presbyterian Church sponsored the fundraising event to encourage kids, both local and international,” Sophie said. The King Lai dance programs  have been presented throughout Bergen County for various causes, but this is the first time the event will benefit the Kenya Project, she added.

The last King Lai performance drew 100 attendees, and organizers anticipate a strong turnout for the May 15 event, which features youth performers from Trinity Church and beyond. 

The specific beneficiary of the May 15 fundraiser will be Nkenijii Primary School, according to Kevin Williams, director of the Kenya Project. “There are 80 pre-school and kindergarten students who have no classroom,” Williams said. “They have class outside in the rain, or when it's not raining, in the dusty winds.”  

On July 22, 16 volunteers from Bergen County will travel to Kenya at their own expense to build two classrooms for the school.  “All the funds raised will be for construction materials costs,” explained Williams.

Founded in 2003, The Kenya Project reflects the goals of Rotary International, a worldwide organization whose work includes humanitarian service projects that foster peace and good will  around the world.

Each year a team of  volunteers spends two weeks offering “hands on” help at a particular school.  “They have built classrooms, a library, a fresh water well, and teacher dorms,” Williams said. “They also built a garden and taught students how to maintain it so they can grow their own food.”  More than $263,000 has been raised over the years to support these projects. 

“In this tough economy, the Maywood Rotary Club is extremely grateful to King Lai for helping us build these desperately needed classrooms,” Williams said.  

The  May 15 performance starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 if purchased in advance or $15 at the door. Trinity Presbyterian Church is located at 650 Pascack Road.

For information, call (201) 262-8624 or  (201) 767-8046, or email: office@TrinityFamily.org