Local Women Honored for Carrying On King's Legacy

By Melanie Rancourt
Special to iBerkshires
09:27AM / Wednesday, January 21, 2009

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Deborah Foss, left, and Donna Denelli-Hess had their names added to Peacemaker plaque.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The "Power of One." The power that one person can make the difference in the lives of people in their own neighborhood, in their own country, or in countries in far distant lands.

That was the theme of the 15th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration that took place on Monday at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' Church Street Center. 

And it was with that theme in mind that Donna Denelli-Hess and Deborah Foss, both of Williamstown, were awarded this year's Peacemaker Award for their continued efforts caring for and educating children with HIV in an orphanage in Kenya.

As she accepted the award, Denelli-Hess said she could not recall what drew her to the African nation and the children there. But there was an incident that moved her deeply.

Photos by Melanie Rancourt   Young Ben Komu Hess, center, makes a face while posing with mom Denelli-Hess

The two friends took a trip to Kenya in 2004 and volunteered at the Nyumbani Children's Home for HIV-positive kids.

One night, after many months at Nyumbani, she helped tuck the children into bed. She kissed one on the cheek and the little child looked up at her and said, "You must really love us." Denelli-Hess replied, "Yes, I love you all, but why would you ask that?" 

The child looked up at her and said, "You must because no one has ever kissed us before we went to bed."  

"No child should go through life without receiving a good-night kiss," said Denelli-Hess, urging parents at the event to make sure they kiss their children because even though it may seem a small thing, it really isn't.

The two women have spent many weeks and months over the past three years at Nyumbani, teaching math and English and coordinating activities for the 107 children and adolescents living in the orphanage.  

Denelli-Hess, a health educator at Williams College, brought her public health experience to Nyumbani, working in its clinic outreach program.

Foss accepted the award with tears in her eyes. "This is very humbling," she said. "If you believe in the power of one, all things are possible." 

Foss, a professor at MCLA who holds a doctorate in pyschology, has taken 10 trips to the orphanage in Kenya over a span of 3 1/2 years. She thanked MCLA for its continued support in her efforts to make a difference.  

She to shared a parable with the audience that summed up the atmosphere of the day.

"A little boy was walking on the seashore that was covered with hundreds, maybe even thousands of starfish washed up on the shore," said Foss. "One by one, the little boy began throwing the starfish back into the ocean when a man came along and said, 'You can't save them all, why bother trying?' The little boy said that if he could only save one, it would be worth the effort."

The parable came true in one sense for Denelli-Hess, whose husband died in 1999. She said the experience had given her the new title of mother, the title of which she is most proud.  

She took a year's leave of absence from her job in 2007 to start the adoption process for one of Nyumbani's residents, a little boy named Benjamin. The process was extremely time-consuming, expensive and difficult. The Kenyan government delayed the final adoption papers until last summer but Benjamin arrived in the United States on the very same day that Barack Obama accepted the Democratic nomination for president of the United States.  

Alex Daugherty, chairman of the MLK Day Planning Committee, Steven Green, professor of sociology at MCLA and a member of the committee, and state Rep. Daniel E. Bosley, D-North Adams, presented the award. 

Above, the Neighborhood Step Dance group; below, international students in the YES program.

The women's names are engraved on a plaque that reads, "Awarded to persons who have made a notable commitment to peace in Northern Berkshire County." The plaque hangs in the offices of Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, a sponsor of the annual event. 

Stateside, both women are volunteer program recruiters, providing information and screening volunteers for Nyumbani.  

The day's festivities, which included lunch, were accompanied by other speakers and performances by some of the children in attendance. 

Members of the Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES) program told their stories of struggle. Mohammed Ranez Salimi fo Afghanistan, Naim Laeni of Thailand and Angie Mashakada of Ukraine addressed the crowd. Their message was one of peace and that the power of one can surely make a difference.  

All total, eight international students were in attendance, including Indonesia, Kenya and Turkmenistan, are studying in local high schools for a 10-month academic period.  

Step Dance Group of the Northern Berkshire Neighbors Association also performed, beginning their dance with the chant, "We are here to celebrate MLK!"  

While the day was to honor the slain civil rights leader and promote his legacy of service, attendees could not help but dwell on the historic aspect of the next day. King, in 1964, predicted a black president within 25 years. It would take 45 years for his prediction to come true with the inauguration of Obama, whose paternal roots, coincidentally, lie in Kenya.

"I just can't wait until tomorrow," said Daugherty. "This nation has elected a man on the content of his character and not by the color of his skin. If ever the words of Martin Luther King rang true, they will on Tuesday."