Fallbrook youth champions fundraiser for Kenyan orphans

Cathleen Huet, an eighth grade student at St. Peter’s Catholic School, has proven time and time again that one is never too young to make a positive difference in the world.

A couple of years ago, Huet read an article regarding how the nonprofit KidsTalk Foundation was helping to erect a school for orphaned children in Kenya. Overwhelmed with empathy, Huet, 11 at the time, decided to dedicate her time and heart to the organization.

“I love to help out the kids in Africa; it makes me feel really good about what I am doing,” said Huet. This young philanthropist’s focus has primarily been on helping with the school building project.

“These kids have no parents and they are so grateful for everything that we are doing,” said Huet. “I know [the children] are really happy about it, because I can see it from the smiles in their pictures.”

Relentless in her pursuit of raising money for the construction of a sixth grade classroom in Kenya, Huet thought of hosting a pancake breakfast and private auction fundraiser at her own school. Following Huet’s heartfelt presentation to her schoolmates and others, attendees were moved by her passion and agreed to participate.

“St. Peter’s has been really supportive,” said Huet. “Everyone has been so helpful and everyone has pitched in to make a difference. I could not have done this without them.”

Huet is overseeing the committees for this event and claims the goal for the June 1 fundraiser is to raise $5,000. Auction items will consist of some 65 pieces of art which were made by the children in Kenya.

“It’s really amazing with what [the orphans] came up with,” explained Huet. “They take the best artwork out of the art camps in Kenya and send it here so we can try to raise money for them.”

It was Huet who championed the donations of art supplies the children used for the project in the first place.

Along with the superb artwork, other prizes from the winning of a Paper Magazine Urban Art Contest based in New York will also be part of the auction.

“Our junior high won this contest and we got lots of different prizes,” said Huet. “Our idea was to auction those off, too.” These pieces include an MP3 player, wallets, a handbag and much more.

An artistic t-shirt will be for sale during the auction. “My friend Hannah Pham designed the shirt and it was a way to use her talents to make a difference,” said Huet.

Huet’s goal is to personally visit the orphans in Kenya. “They have been such an inspiration to me, because I have no idea what it would feel like to lose my parents and I have no idea how they do it. They’ve been teaching me so much.”

KidsTalk Foundation recognized Huet’s integrity and passion and elected her a member of their prestigious board in December. She is, of course, the youngest board member.

“Cathleen Huet is one of the most amazing young women I have had the honor to meet,” said Kathleen Tucker, vice president of KidsTalk Foundation. According to Tucker, Huet has helped in numerous grassroots-style yard sales to help raise money and continues to assist in any way that she can.

KidsTalk, based in San Diego, focuses on enriching young people’s lives through educational programs and opportunities.

“We believe that young people are the future, and because of that, every young person’s voice needs to be heard,” said Tucker.

The June 1 fundraiser will be held in Sheridan Hall at St. Peter’s Catholic Community. The pancake breakfast starts at 8:30 a.m. and the festivities last until 1 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at Sheridan Hall the day of the event. For more information or to make a donation, call Huet at (760) 731-8965.