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Two local charities, sharing the same fiery passion for helping and empowering women, will be teaming up to host an event to remember for Kelowna residents who are also like-minded.
On Feb. 9, HER International and H.O.P.E. Outreach will be bringing the HOPE in HER eyes event to the Laurel Packinghouse.
The two organizations are coming together create the perfect team to encourage the importance of women empowerment. HER International works to provide educational opportunities and sustainable life skills to marginalized women and children in Canada and Nepal. While H.O.P.E provides nightly outreach for homeless and exploited women in the Okanagan, it also offers a safe house for women wanting to exit street life.
“I went out with the HOPE team one evening and I remember walking up the street to the population we were going to help and I just had this moment of remembering my time in Africa and India and seeing poverty there," said Tamara Mclellan, co-executive director of HER International. "I realized that it doesn't really matter where we are and despite economic differences, poverty is the same.”
The event is inspired by an eye-gazing experiment that Mclellan participated in while visiting Nepal.
“We wanted to come together with the eye-gazing idea specifically to show that when you really look into the eyes of another person, you see that at the soul essence we are all the same”, added Mclellan
Those attending the fundraiser can expect vibrant colours, unique decor and delicious cuisine of the Nepalese culture. The event will showcase local art as well.
One of the main fundraising activities will be an art auction, featuring the works of talented local artists inspired by women and their eyes, alluding to the inspiration behind the event.
Funds raised at the event will be split equally between the two charities, and will go toward sustaining the current initiatives both organizations have in place, including the House of Hope and HER Internationals micro-credit groups.
Attendees can expect an evening of delicious food, networking opportunities, stunning art, henna tattoos, live music, and an uplifting environment where they will walk away feeling humbled and inspired to help make a change.
The event runs from 6 p.m. to midnight on Feb. 9. Tickets are available online for $75 and going quickly!
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