Dear TMC Members and Friends:

You are cordially invited to the opening of a stunning new

photography exhibit on the AIDS orphans of Africa, Sunday,

December 5, 2-4 p.m., at St. Mark's Episcopal Church Hall, 600

Colorado Ave., Palo Alto. Documentary photographer Karen Ande

has captured the lives of these resilient young survivors in her

poignant, haunting photos.

Featured will be African drummers and local children--some

wearing African attire-reading poems written by the

orphans. Orphans from Fr. Daniel Kiriti's orphanage will be a

significant part of the exhibit. Refreshments will be served.

This wonderful event is timed to coincide closely with World AIDS

Day (Dec. 1). The exhibit is open Monday through

Friday, nine to five, and will run through December 31.

For information on hours and access, please call St. Mark's at

326-3800.

The exhibit is sponsored by the Thomas Merton Center and the

Santa Cruz-based Firelight Foundation, a nonprofit organization

that supports community grassroots projects for families and

children affected by AIDS in Africa.

--- Susan Thomas for The Thomas Merton Center