Summer in Seattle just can NOT be beat. We're having a blast...

Moses finds his cows and his bride

 

I'm proud to be a part of this amazing story. I'm happy Milo & Roxie were able to celebrate with me.

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The numbers are in…..

Last night we raised $7,331.00….for a total of $8,216.00 (including prior donations)!! With Moses’ contributions that equals about 112 cows….12 cows OVER our goal.!!! And if the “IOUs” come in, we’ll be 20 cows over the goal! This should help Moses with transportation home and to help reimburse some of his costs of the initial “down payment.”

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Moses Dut selected a few of the Smith Tower tenants for this correspondence because he feels you have a connection. We are a group of co-workers that have come together to ask for financial support for an unusual and special purpose. Whether you know it or not, you have supported Moses’ journey from Lost Boy to U.S. citizen; co-worker to leader; student to mentor; and now---husband-to-be!

As you may know, Moses is a humble person, so it took us a while to convince him to let us tell his story in order to help him. We want to provide an opportunity for friends of Moses to help him raise $5,000 which will assist him in meeting his 100 cow dowry marriage obligation.

Yes, we said Cow Dowry…read on, it’s fascinating…
According to a Sudanese refugee website, “The South Sudanese refugees are considered by historians and refugee specialists to be a historically unique group. Almost all lost their parents and older relatives as young children, and during the decade spent years wandering and then living in encampments communally, with little assistance from adults.” Moses was one of these children. At age nine, he fled into the desert as militias burned his village, killing, and abducting civilians (many of which were family members.)

Over a period of 13 years, Moses wandered over 1,000 miles through the deserts of Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya as he was pursued relentlessly by militia groups. He and 100,000 women and children moved from refugee camp to refugee camp. He witnessed atrocities that no child should ever be exposed to. Through it all, he knew he would survive (thus his chosen name Moses.) Soon after Moses arrived in Seattle from a Kenyan refugee camp, he was hired as an elevator operator at the Smith Tower. His cheerful countenance and eager smile quickly endeared him as part of the Smith Tower family. The tenants and staff adopted him and because of their care and support, he was no longer a Lost Boy--That was seven years ago.

Currently, Moses works two jobs and attends community college in order to fulfill his dream of returning to southern Sudan with the skills to help rebuild his community. His goal will take many years to fulfill. In the meantime, our friend Moses wants to marry! Moses is betrothed to a lovely woman named Regina, who lives in Marialbai his home village. As a right of passage for all Dinka men who want to marry, he must contribute a dowry of cows that will support the village and his family in Marialbai. Moses is engaged to be married in November; however, he has not raised enough money to purchase the 100 cow dowry.

What is the significance of the cow in Dinka culture and why the Dowry?

It is difficult for most of us who grew up in the U.S. to grasp the significance of the cow to the Dinka people. The cow is deeply rooted in the Dinka collectivistic culture and identity. Cattle are the measure of wealth for the community and are traditionally the center of most Dinka transactions--including the dowry process and celebrations, where as many as 100 cows might be paid to a bride's family. The cattle are shared within the community and are used as a safety net to help support widows, orphans, and elderly people. At the heart of virtually every important Dinka tradition and ceremony, the cow is the subject of songs, dances, myths, and legends.

The war in Sudan has stripped the villages of their cattle, their sustenance. Traditionally, the dowry process replenished the community herd. Rebuilding their herds is the first step toward reclaiming their community. We have the opportunity to help Moses replenish the herd and get married!

If you have time, please read this article “Loss of Culturally Vital Cattle Leaves Dinka Tribe Adrift in Refugee Camps” …it makes sense: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/africanlives/sudan/sudan.htm

Cows for Moses Kickoff Event

So far, Moses has saved enough to purchase 30 cows toward his 100 cow goal. Each cow costs $150.00. An anonymous donor has purchased 34 cows--leaving a balance of 30+ cows (or $5,000) to be raised by this project.

We anticipate that tenants, friends, and co-workers will want to help. Therefore, we are holding a fundraising event:

Where: Smith Tower, Chinese Room
When: June 28, 2007

This will be a fun event where Moses’ friends will celebrate with us by performing traditional Dinka wedding dances and music. Of course we will have food and beverages, and view a portion of “A Great Wonder” an independent documentary film that was made about Moses and other refugee children from Sudan assimilating in Seattle foster-homes. The co-producer of A Great Wonder, Leigh Kimball will address the group by sharing her first-hand experiences working with this unique group of survivors.

I know this is a lot to think about, given our busy personal and work lives. However, it is the simple fact that we are capable of making a difference that makes the effort behind Cows for Moses a meaningful and worthwhile endeavor. As a boy, Moses took care of the family cattle herd. As a young man to be wed, the cow dowry is a right of passage. We want to help Moses reach his goal, so he can be married in November. You can make a difference for a young man whose perseverance reminds us to appreciate the good life we have been given.

We love birthday parties!

 
We went to a birthday party at the pool up in Mountlake Terrace and just had a blast! The party was for Kellan and Alex, Lulu, Ria and Hannah were there. What fun. Plus there was a playroom to go with the birthday room with a big ball pit. Fun for everyone for sure.