CASA SEGURA
Keep the Dream Alive
By Dominic Ciranni
RAFFLE IN AID OF CASA SEGURA
PRIZE: 1 nights accommodation at Blue Ridge Lavender Farm & Retreat for 2 people, a full country breakfast hamper, 2 x 1 hr. massages (courtesy of Kevin Fitzgerald of Abundant Massage), and wine and cheese on arrival. Valued at $550.
DRAWN: Saturday 13th of December, at Rendezvous Café in Dayboro.
TICKETS: $2. Available from Rendezvous Café, Amore, Dayboro Café, Samford Valley IGA and Skatebase at Morayfield, as well as from various other people and businesses. Or phone Sherree Matthews on 3425 1936, or Clare Ciranni on 3102 7129 to obtain tickets.
“I have a dream!” How many of us have said these words before?
Often, upon hearing these words, one man’s name comes to mind – that of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Like his namesake before him, the great reformer, Martin Luther, King was an advocate for reform.
On August 28, 1963, he gave a speech that has forever gone down in history. The most memorable section of his speech began with the words, “I have a dream.” His dream: to see every coloured man in the U.S.A. free from racial discrimination and segregation.
Last month saw the election of America’s first coloured president. Martin Luther King Jnr. may be dead, but his dream lives on.
Six years ago, another man, Mik Henzell from Dayboro, also had a dream. He dreamt of setting up a safe house for orphans and abandoned children in Bolivia.
Today, Mik’s dream is only half fulfilled. He has partially built a small village-like orphanage down the road from the town of Riberalta in northern Bolivia.
The orphanage, called Casa Segura (meaning safe house), is equipped with a kitchen, a school, a church, a medical centre, and toilet facilities. The children are to live in cabins – six children per cabin, with a caretaker.
Now, Mik’s dream is at a new and exciting stage. Casa Segura is starting to receive its first orphans. Mik and his team will have the opportunity to educate these children, and will play an important part in reshaping their futures, giving them a chance to dream, and realize their dreams.
My sister, Maggie Ciranni, also had a dream. For a long time she has dreamt of working at an orphanage.
Several years ago, she went to Cambodia, and helped build an orphanage there, but she wanted to do more. She wanted to live at an orphanage and work with the children.
She first met Mik at the Community Church in Dayboro. He was back in Australia for a break from the tiring work of hewing and splitting trees for lumber, and building an orphanage from scratch. We invited Mik around for dinner one night, and he shared his dream, about Casa Segura, and about the orphans and street kids of Bolivia, who live in such abject poverty. These things really affected Maggie, and she felt compelled to go and work at Casa Segura.
She spent over a year saving her pennies until, in June this year, she set off to Bolivia, beginning her jungle adventure. Her dream also continues, as she lives it, day by day. It is not easy, but it is eternally rewarding.
Sherree Matthews had a dream of creating a serene and tranquil environment where people could come, stay, relax, and forget about the cares of day-to-day life. Thus was the idea for Blue Ridge Lavender Farm born. Coveted by wedding-goers and honeymooning couples, the Blue Ridge Lavender Farm & Retreat is nestled amidst the charming, picturesque foothills of Mt. Mee.
A beautifully restored Queenslander, the retreat is surrounded by lavender, rolling blue hills, national parks, and wineries.
Also available is a variety of all-natural, chemical free, lavender skin care products – all made from the lavender grown on the property.
One day, several months ago, Sherree phoned my mother with a wonderful idea. She had been browsing Casa Segura’s website, www.casasegura.spaces.live.com, and had felt the desire to do something to help.
Then came the idea: a raffle. She could donate one night of accommodation for two people. Also, she had a friend she thought she could ask to donate two massages.
Her mind raced with the possibilities and a goal came to mind: $5000 – all proceeds to be donated to the orphanage. So was the raffle formed, and tins and tickets distributed to various businesses in the Dayboro and Samford districts.
So, this Christmas season, why not help make an orphan’s dream come true, and purchase a raffle ticket for $2. Donations are also very welcome.
Thanks go to Debbie from Rendezvous Café, Amore’s, Dayboro Café, Samford Valley IGA, Skatebase at Morayfield, and various other people and businesses for their assistance..
Have a safe and joyous Christmas season as you celebrate the greatest dream ever – the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Often, upon hearing these words, one man’s name comes to mind – that of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Like his namesake before him, the great reformer, Martin Luther, King was an advocate for reform.
On August 28, 1963, he gave a speech that has forever gone down in history. The most memorable section of his speech began with the words, “I have a dream.” His dream: to see every coloured man in the U.S.A. free from racial discrimination and segregation.
Last month saw the election of America’s first coloured president. Martin Luther King Jnr. may be dead, but his dream lives on.
Six years ago, another man, Mik Henzell from Dayboro, also had a dream. He dreamt of setting up a safe house for orphans and abandoned children in Bolivia.
Today, Mik’s dream is only half fulfilled. He has partially built a small village-like orphanage down the road from the town of Riberalta in northern Bolivia.
The orphanage, called Casa Segura (meaning safe house), is equipped with a kitchen, a school, a church, a medical centre, and toilet facilities. The children are to live in cabins – six children per cabin, with a caretaker.
Now, Mik’s dream is at a new and exciting stage. Casa Segura is starting to receive its first orphans. Mik and his team will have the opportunity to educate these children, and will play an important part in reshaping their futures, giving them a chance to dream, and realize their dreams.
My sister, Maggie Ciranni, also had a dream. For a long time she has dreamt of working at an orphanage.
Several years ago, she went to Cambodia, and helped build an orphanage there, but she wanted to do more. She wanted to live at an orphanage and work with the children.
She first met Mik at the Community Church in Dayboro. He was back in Australia for a break from the tiring work of hewing and splitting trees for lumber, and building an orphanage from scratch. We invited Mik around for dinner one night, and he shared his dream, about Casa Segura, and about the orphans and street kids of Bolivia, who live in such abject poverty. These things really affected Maggie, and she felt compelled to go and work at Casa Segura.
She spent over a year saving her pennies until, in June this year, she set off to Bolivia, beginning her jungle adventure. Her dream also continues, as she lives it, day by day. It is not easy, but it is eternally rewarding.
Sherree Matthews had a dream of creating a serene and tranquil environment where people could come, stay, relax, and forget about the cares of day-to-day life. Thus was the idea for Blue Ridge Lavender Farm born. Coveted by wedding-goers and honeymooning couples, the Blue Ridge Lavender Farm & Retreat is nestled amidst the charming, picturesque foothills of Mt. Mee.
A beautifully restored Queenslander, the retreat is surrounded by lavender, rolling blue hills, national parks, and wineries.
Also available is a variety of all-natural, chemical free, lavender skin care products – all made from the lavender grown on the property.
One day, several months ago, Sherree phoned my mother with a wonderful idea. She had been browsing Casa Segura’s website, www.casasegura.spaces.live.com, and had felt the desire to do something to help.
Then came the idea: a raffle. She could donate one night of accommodation for two people. Also, she had a friend she thought she could ask to donate two massages.
Her mind raced with the possibilities and a goal came to mind: $5000 – all proceeds to be donated to the orphanage. So was the raffle formed, and tins and tickets distributed to various businesses in the Dayboro and Samford districts.
So, this Christmas season, why not help make an orphan’s dream come true, and purchase a raffle ticket for $2. Donations are also very welcome.
Thanks go to Debbie from Rendezvous Café, Amore’s, Dayboro Café, Samford Valley IGA, Skatebase at Morayfield, and various other people and businesses for their assistance..
Have a safe and joyous Christmas season as you celebrate the greatest dream ever – the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Maggie Ciranni and another worker, Kay, are pictured above with some of the Bolivian children., some of whom are local children who attend the school at Casa Segura.
