Christel House South Africa Students Sing with the Quartet of Peace
On October 16th, the Christel House South Africa students joined the international string quartet, Quartet of Peace, as a part of a concert to raise funds for music education at the school. Recently, twenty-six violins were donated to CHSA's music program, but we currently do not have a string instructor at the school. "With the money we raise we’ll send one of our own teachers to acquire the skill and hopefully see some talented violinists emerge from our school,” said Clarke Schilder, the music teacher at CHSA.
“We are very excited by this opportunity, not only for our young learners to sing alongside such esteemed musicians and to get our violin programme up and running, but also to help create awareness among the Christel House networks and locals about what the Quartet of Peace does around the globe, which is to inspire peace and unity through music,” said Schilder.
The Quartet of Peace was formed to honor the four South African Nobel Peace Prize winners, continuing their work by bringing hope to children abandoned by inhumanity. Each of the quartet's instruments bears a name and an inscription recognizing these great leaders, including Hope for Nelson Mandela, Peace for Bishop Desmond Tutu, Reconciliation for FW De Klerk and Freedom for Dr Albert Luthuli. The quartet travels and performs internationally, raising funds for humanitarian causes.
Students from San Souci Girls High and Fezeka High School in Gugulethu rounded out the chorus for this remarkable event. Schilder said, "Music is our one universal language; through it so much can be achieved.”
HELP MAKE A $20,000 DONATION TO CHRISTEL HOUSE POSSIBLE JUST BY CHECKING OUT THE NEW WYNDHAM WORLDWIDE FACEBOOK PAGE!
Do you have a Facebook page? If so, starting today, you can be a part of a global social media initiative to help the children of Christel House. If we help Wyndham Worldwide get 60,000 new Facebook fans, Wyndham will donate a cumulative $60,000 to its 3 signature "Wishes by Wyndham charities" – including Christel House!
Yes, that’s right…Wyndham has agreed to donate $1 for each new fan who “likes” its Facebook page! All you have to do is click here-- Wyndham Facebook Page-- and click “Like”. Christel House, the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps and Starlight Children’s Foundation will split the cumulative donation. That could equate to $20,000 to help the children of Christel House! Please help us hit the goal and spread the word by sharing this with your Facebook Friends!
While you are signed in to Facebook, be sure to check out the Christel House page.
Wyndham intern reflects on the importance of Christel House
By Catherine Reynolds, intern for Wyndham Worldwide
Wyndham Worldwide in Parsippany, NJ, has named Christel House as one of its three charities of choice. RCI, based in Carmel, Indiana, is owned by Wyndham Worldwide. Christel DeHaan, Founder of Christel House, started RCI in 1974. Today, RCI has more than three million members worldwide, who enjoy dream vacations at RCI's 3,700+ affiliated resorts.
Last night I watched the movie, “The Blind Side,” with my sister, and we were both touched and moved by this incredible true story. For those of you who haven’t seen it (and I highly recommend that you do), the movie is based on the true story of Michael Oher, a boy growing up homeless before he is taken in by a wealthy family. The Tuoy family adopts him, gives him an education and opens up all new opportunities for him, changing his life forever. In the movie, one of Mrs. Tuoy’s friends tells her, “You’re changing that boy’s life.” Mrs. Tuoy responds, “No. He’s changing mine.”
What struck me most about this story is that Michael’s situation is not all that uncommon – but the help the Tuoys gave him IS uncommon. The way that they supported him reminded me of Christel House, one of Wyndham Worldwide’s charities of choice, and the work Christel DeHaan and her team do for impoverished children around the world. While I have not yet had the pleasure of visiting a Christel House, I have had the opportunity to hear the stories of several of the children whose lives have been changed by Christel House:
When Rakshitha came to Christel House, her family did not have electricity. Christel House gave the family electricity so she could study at night. The work paid off: when she was in tenth grade, she went to Naples, Italy, when the student video she helped produce won a film festival prize.
Frank recently graduated from Christel House Venezuela. When he came to Christel House, he wanted to be a bodyguard. Now he is studying electrical engineering at the prestigious Simon Bolivar University, where he was admitted in the top one percent of incoming freshman.
Nontando is a 12th grader at Christel House South Africa, and received a scholarship to attend Culver Summer Leadership Camp in Culver, Indiana in 2007 and 2008. In South Africa, her home is so small, only two of the four family members can sleep inside at night.
As Wyndham Worldwide employees, we have all had a hand in helping children like Rakshitha, Frank and Nontando find more opportunities and reach their potential. I personally take pride in working for a company that is so devoted to giving back. Supporting this charity is not a completely selfless act. Helping others and knowing we have a true impact in this world is fulfilling, and helps give our own lives meaning. We are reminded that even small acts of kindness can add up to big change.
Whose life are you changing? How are they changing yours?
It's special to be a part of something BIG. On Monday over 1800 golfers in 6 countries on 5 continents came together marking the 8th annual RCI Christel House Open!
A day of fun (and some sun!) with friends literally meant the world to the children of Christel House. Starting in the UK and ending in India, it was over 24 hours of constant golfing to help provide education, health care and nutrition for children in extreme poverty.
We thank the players, volunteers, staff, sponsors and all those involved in making it a fantastic success!
Together, we're making a world of difference.
For more on the event and you can get involved next year, visit our Christel House Open website! For real-time updates from Monday's event, and regular updates going forward, connect with us on Facebook and Twitter!
Many of our friends and supporters have asked if we have any direct connection with those affected by the devastation in Haiti. As one of our students put it, "Yes, we are directly connected. We're members of the same human race and we call the same planet home". We'd add that our children and their families have experienced similar hardship and poverty in their own way.
All our children and staff learn that at Christel House "We share, we care and we make a difference".
Our Learning Centers around the world are all doing different things in response. At Christel House South Africa, our students learned about the tragedy, held a moment of silence, and lit candles - one for the mothers, one for the fathers, and one for the children of Haiti. They also formed the country's name to let them know they are on our hearts and minds.
From collecting items, donating to relief efforts and holding candlelight vigils - we encourage you to continue to support the people of Haiti.
On October 16th, the Christel House South Africa students joined the international string quartet, Quartet of Peace, as a part of a concert to raise funds for music education at the school. Recently, twenty-six violins were donated to CHSA's music program, but we currently do not have a string instructor at the school. "With the money we raise we’ll send one of our own teachers to acquire the skill and hopefully see some talented violinists emerge from our school,” said Clarke Schilder, the music teacher at CHSA. 
The Quartet of Peace was formed to honor the four South African Nobel Peace Prize winners, continuing their work by bringing hope to children abandoned by inhumanity. Each of the quartet's instruments bears a name and an inscription recognizing these great leaders, including Hope for Nelson Mandela, Peace for Bishop Desmond Tutu, Reconciliation for FW De Klerk and Freedom for Dr Albert Luthuli. The quartet travels and performs internationally, raising funds for humanitarian causes. 
Do you have a Facebook page? If so, starting today, you can be a part of a global social media initiative to help the children of Christel House. If we help Wyndham Worldwide get 60,000 new Facebook fans, Wyndham will donate a cumulative $60,000 to its 3 signature "Wishes by Wyndham charities" – including Christel House!
By Catherine Reynolds, intern for Wyndham Worldwide
It's special to be a part of something BIG. On Monday over 1800 golfers in 6 countries on 5 continents came together marking the 8th annual RCI Christel House Open!
