Sigma Alpha Iota

Summer 2021 10 10 P A N P I P E S MEMBERS MEMBERS continued from page 5 continued from page 5 How did you find out about/when did you join the alumnae chapter? Jeanette: I joined in 1959 because I was very good friends with Laura Martin and Dorothy Benton who were charter members of the chapter. ey encouraged me to join. Carolyn: I joined the Buffalo Chapter less than a year aer it was formed. I found out about the chapter from Ruth Hill, a member and vocal music educator in the Buffalo Public Schools. Jacklin: When I came to Buffalo, I joined the Buffalo Alumnae Chapter through Laura Martin. What has continuing your membership in an alumnae chapter done for you? Jeanette: I was able to continue many friendships and meet many new sisters. I was also able to hold many meetings and luncheons for the sisterhood, which meant a lot to me. Carolyn: Working with other members to put together performances has been an important aspect of continuing my membership. e performance opportunities and the performances themselves have been wonderful. Jacklin: I am thrilled because there are people who understand my language, people who are important to me, and their friendship. What is your fondest memory or highlight of being an SAI? Jeanette: I remember playing my violin for many musicales. I also enjoyed the social aspect of sisterhood very much. Carolyn: Some of my fondest memories of being in SAI are the friendships and the performances. Jacklin: Joining the Alumnae Chapter is a fond memory. I met Fran Hoerner whom I asked about piano tuners because I wanted to buy a Steinway. She was very helpful and through her I met Laura Martin, who became my source for SAI. SAI PHILANTHROPIES, INC. The People-to-People project is happy to announce a new project supporting Mubuku Valley School and the Kasese Local Musica Association (KALOMA) of the Kasese District of Uganda. Created by Catholic priest Walter Munna, this association has been working to create a musical environment to enrich the lives of their students and further the reputation of music in their community. They are seeking our support in expanding their organization by adding different instruments to their programs to further their musical goals for their community and students. Walter Munna, a Ugandan by nationality, is a Religious Priest, Philanthropist, Educator, Pastoral, and social worker. He was born in 1975 to Mr. and Mrs. Mashamba Leonard in the Kasese District and was raised in Kilembe Mines and Kasese Municipality. "My people are poor, and I am one of them! This explains the decision that I took to seek to empower and help the young talented youths in school and out of school explore their heights in music, hence being the founder of KALOMA." Walter received a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy from Makerere University Kampala in 2000, a Theological degree from Urban University in Rome in 2004, and a Master's degree in Theological and Religious Studies from Makerere University 2006. After graduating, Walter returned to Kasese and was ordained as a Priest, where he began serving as Pastor and director of the youth and Director and Board of Governors of Mubuku Valley Secondary School. Munna shared the following about the endeavor: "We established the music program with the performance of Kasese Local Musica Association's synergistically integrated multicultural music. As the founder of KALOMA, my aim is to reprogram and deprogram the mentality of the community about music being seen as a last resort opportunity for failures. We would like to see musicians performing and transforming our local communities. We wish to promote the Kasese Youth Orchestra. This exciting new project will be a multi-year endeavor that will consist of both collecting and purchasing instruments to send to the developing school. We have received quotes and contact information for a Yamaha affiliated business in the capital city of Kampala, Uganda that is close to the Kasese District. Below you will find a list of instruments that are currently on our search list to be shipped. Stay tuned to the SAI Philanthropies social media accounts where we will send updates of instruments and the project. Also, if you host a fundraiser for this project please take, share, and send photos. We look forward to working with the entire sisterhood on this amazing project and seeing how far our musical impact can reach. Initial List of Instruments: Violins Trumpets Clarinets Flutes Saxophones Music Stands Dark Rosin for Violins Submitted by Susan Christopher, an initiate of Gamma Gamma Chapter Shenandoah University. She is Vice Chairman and People- to-People Director for Sigma Alpha Iota Philanthropies, Inc. and also serves as Sergeant- at-Arms for the Winchester Alumnae chapter. People-to-People in Uganda Walter Munna, creator of Walter Munna, creator of the Kasese Local Musica the Kasese Local Musica Association (KALOMA) of the Association (KALOMA) of the Kasese District of Uganda Kasese District of Uganda p2p people-to-people

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