OUR STORY
“Once your eyes have been opened to a problem, looking away is no longer an option.”
In 2017, my sister Kate and I decided to climb Mount Kilimanjaro since she was turning 60 - she thought there was no better time. With our trip set in motion, we trained for the next 12 months. Others who had made the climb told us the trip would change our lives.
But what actually changed our lives happened June 26 of that year when Kate's son, Scott, died unexpectedly at age 30, leaving behind two young wonderful boys: Wyatt, 5, and Hayden, 4. His death changed everything. With two months to go, Kate lost much of her physical strength needed to climb, let alone to complete the mountain.
“I was trying to do the most physically demanding challenge of my life at the weakest time in my life,” she said.
We landed the following day at Kilimanjaro Airport in Africa and were greeted by our guide, Respicius Baitwa. Our climb had taken on a new purpose - to scatter Scott's ashes at the top of Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world. We felt it was the closest we could get to him in heaven.
We reached the summit September 5; it took five days and one hour. We prayed often, shed many tears, and scattered his ashes. As we began the descent, we noticed a “smiling face” in the snow on the adjacent mountainside. Wow … we absolutely knew Scott was present; his smile followed us down.
The next day we traveled to Arusha to spend the day with children at the Rafiki Orphanage, Star School, and Ngateu School. That day changed our lives even more, and has helped to change the lives of many children and families through the legacy of this foundation honoring Scott. As we arrived, we could feel the kids’ unconditional love from the moment we stepped out of the van. Greetings in the form of hugs enveloped us. Immediately, we recognized their needs.
While I have always thought globally, Kate believed we should take care of the needs in our own country before helping other parts of the world. Yet the moment we arrived at Rafiki - her attitude changed.
We discussed how children in the United States at least have access to school and basic needs; while these African children do not. One little girl, Hamima, had such a blank stare, it pierced our hearts. I could see in my sister’s eyes as she looked at the little girl, that she, too, would be on a mission to make life better for these children.
Once your eyes have been opened to a problem, looking away is no longer an option.
We felt Scott’s presence as we walked the property. We left the orphanage with sadness for the children’s many needs yet happy for the love they showered on us, and comforted knowing these children were already so far ahead of others.
PHASE I
That emotional trip allowed us to formulate Scott Willis Legacy Foundation to honor my nephew. We began with raising funds to help orphaned and vulnerable children in Africa, with the first of the incoming donations used for Phase I projects: Wyatt’s Garden, Hayden’s Playground, and Scott’s Courtyard.
PHASE II
Phase II was Sara’s Kitchen. After Scott died, the only thing which gave me comfort was realizing I knew many people in heaven already. So I asked each of them to welcome him with open arms and to take care of him for us. One of the first angels I reached out to was Sara Stepanian, aka “Momma S.” She had an infectious smile and lived by the mantra, food is love - she was always feeding people! I don’t remember an outing with her that did not include food or Rheb’s chocolates. As I pictured her hugging Scott and telling him she needed to “put a little meat on your bones,” I thought we could continue to honor people we lost. Thus began Sara’s Kitchen.
In Africa, I learned about Mama Jane, an incredible woman without children of her own yet feeds and cares for 45 orphaned children. And when possible, she feeds the neighborhood children on Sundays! Mama Jane is a remarkable and kind woman; she would use Sara’s Kitchen to fill the bellies and souls of many. We wanted to raise money to help construct a permanent place for Jane to cook meals and we supported her kitchen by providing the means for her to raise chickens and goats and tend a garden.
I continued reaching out to my angels, including Michael “Wibs” Woodard and Michael Fiorelli, both of whom were very involved in sports. They were great dads and I knew they would be welcoming Scott into heaven. We chose to honor them by raising funds for sports equipment and programs. Hayden's Playground could include a small soccer field - named Healy Field in honor of my friend Roz’s brother, Ed Healy. Ed coached various sports for his five children and volunteered to help maintain the athletic fields at his children's schools. Thus, the children of Rafiki and neighborhood children now play soccer and other sports on Healy Field while wearing shirts and jerseys printed with his name.
We also wanted to honor Roz and Ed's mother, Susanne Healy, by building a teaching hair salon, along with honoring Helen Romanoli Davis by providing funds for clothing. Then we would honor Eileen Deveaney by building Eileen’s Sewing Center, and honor another dear friend Micah, with Micah's Chicken Coop.
On July 23, we honor the Heaven Day of Connor Austin whose life brought together two friends many years ago, now binding two families. We keep Connor's memory alive by distributing toys throughout Africa with a program called Connor's Toy Box containing games and toys given to Rafiki, Mama Jane's, and Shades of Hope School; we also distribute toys to vulnerable children in the community. We know Scott and Connor are playing in heaven.
In the short time Scott has been gone; so many others have joined him in heaven, including his beloved “Pop” - Jim Willis. We honor Mr. Willis with the creation of Pop’s Pantry to help feed the African children. We honor a baby who was born stillborn, Beau Benden, by collecting baby supplies in a program called Beau’s Bundles, distributing them in poor communities.
It definitely takes a village to make ALL of our many ideas happen.
On September 24th, the morning of what would have been Scott’s 31st birthday, our family attended his funeral service at Mountain Christian Church – a place that meant so much to him. The pastor referenced Mary Jackson’s remarks in the movie, Hidden Figures, by asking the congregation, “What decision are you going to make today that will matter 100 years from now?”
I can guarantee if you make the decision to help these children … it will matter 100 years from now.
When I gave Scott’s eulogy, I promised to raise funds in his honor to create a better life for those children we met in Africa. I said that each child will know Scott and his sons - and this effort would be his legacy. It is our hope to return to Tanzania with Wyatt and Hayden so they can see the legacy created by your kindness.