Page 70 - Phonebox Magazine February 2008

Valentine's Day History
Valentine Postcard circa 1910
There are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine's Day. Some experts state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine". Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine.
Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date was marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers. There was often a social gathering or a ball.
In the United States, Miss Esther Howland is given credit for sending the first valentine cards. Commercial valentines were introduced in the 1800's and now the date is very commercialised. The town of Loveland, Colorado, does a large post office business around February 14. The spirit of good continues as valentines are sent out with sentimental verses and children exchange valentine cards at school.
Trauma Follows Progress in Kenya
Last year, Phonebox Magazine reported on Olney-based charity Advantage Africa’s work with the community of Obambo, Kenya to build a nursery school. Their Director Andrew Betts reports on progress and recent events:
During my visit to Obambo at the end of last year I was thrilled to find Obambo’s new nursery school (pictured) completed. There are two committed teachers and 70 children, most of them orphaned by AIDS, enthusiastically learning basic language, arithmetic and life skills.
Unfortunately the normally quiet village has not escaped the shocking violence and suffering arising from Kenya’s disputed Presidential election. There is widespread fear, and emerging hunger as supplies of food and fuel run low. Shops, smallholdings and homes in and around Obambo have been robbed and burned and at least three people killed. Despite people’s fear of leaving their homes, our partner organisation, the Obambo Community Action Group, has been constantly approached for food and medical assistance and requested Advantage Africa’s practical help and prayers. Our project worker Otieno told us about Hilda, an elderly woman who was terrified because she had no radio to hear the latest news and
feared the worst. He helped her collect water and later returned to her house with small supplies of rice and sugar. Otieno says: “We are doing all we can to help the community; some people just come to be consoled because they have lost relatives, and this is also our role right now.”
Through the work, often at great personal risk, of inspirational people like Otieno, Advantage Africa has responded to the immediate needs of more than 50 people like Hilda as best it can. But the impact of the violence will continue to be felt in the weeks ahead and further strain our ability to fund our other partnership projects there including a clinic and orphan feeding programme. As Otieno told us by mobile phone last week, “Almost everyone is affected – even those who have money to buy food, where can they buy it from? Shops are closed and when they do open, prices have doubled and even tripled.”
Last week I wrote to Advantage Africa’s supporters appealing for help and I have now established a webpage to give Phonebox Magazine readers the opportunity to respond to the needs, including food, medical care and security resulting from the current crisis. Any funds raised over and above that required by the current emergency will be used to help meet the longer-term needs of vulnerable people in Obambo, including orphans in the feeding programme.
Please donate online by visiting the webpage www.justgiving.com/kenyaemergencyappeal or fill in the donation form below and send to our office at 26A Market Place, Olney, MK46 4BA (above Taylors estate Agents).
With many thanks for your support at this time of need,
Andrew Betts
Response Form
1 I’d like to make a donation of £ to Advantage Africa’s Kenya Emergency Appeal.
Please make cheques or CAF vouchers payable to ‘Advantage Africa’.
2 My name, address and postcode:
3 If you are a UK taxpayer, please tick the box to add 28p to every £1 you donate at
no cost to you: K I am a UK taxpayer and I would like Advantage Africa to treat this donation and any future donations as Gift Aid donations. I understand that I must pay an amount of Income or Capital Gains Tax in the relevant tax year equal to any tax reclaimed by Advantage Africa in that period. K Please send me information about Advantage Africa’s work in communities like Obambo.
4 Send this completed form to us at Advantage Africa, 26A Market Place, Olney, Bucks MK46 4BA. Thank you.
Advantage Africa is a registered charity, number 1092719
70 Phonebox Magazine