As you may have read, Kenya and most of East Africa is experiencing the worst drought since that of 1962. Rivers are running dry, grasslands cannot support traditional herds of cattle, sheep and goats forcing tribal migrations to higher altitudes in search of grass where the colder climate and weakened condition of the domestic animals causes large numbers to die. Power sources, mostly hydroelectric, have been forced to engage in blackouts twice a week. We at the WHWF's education center have also suffered from these conditions. There is little if no water in the river from which we derive the water to serve our kitchens and flush our toilets. Power outages cause us to run our generator at great expense in order to operate essential equipment. These reasons coupled with the effects of the last difficult financial year have greatly effected our financial health. In order to prudently manage our donors generosity we have had to make a difficult but necessary decision. Since we have already served nearly 8,000 students this year we feel it appropriate to close the education center grounds temporarily to groups while continuing with all our outreach programs and the rural libraries inclusive of the pen pals ongoing correspondence. It has also become necessary to downsize our staff whose services will not be necessary in the forthcoming months. Since we opened our doors in 1982 we have served over 300,000 students and visitors of all ages free of charge as a result of our donors ongoing commitments. I personally have also committed a great deal of my own income to our project and have always taken pride in the knowledge that we over all other organizations can actually say that 100% of each donation we receive goes to our work in Kenya and that nothing is deflected for directors expenses, or overheads in the US. We are also proud of the way our money and expenses have been carefully managed and overseen by David McConnell in Kenya, who has been able to consistently prevent waste and find ways to cut erroneous costs.  I hope you will bear with us while continuing your support in the hopes that we may ride out these difficult times and emerge successfully to reopen and continue the vital work of the foundation.

Thank you
Stefanie Powers
President, WHWF

In May, 2009 Stefanie filmed the Hallmark Channel original movie Soldier of Love, now entitled To Meet My Mother. More news to follow ...

Stefanie is among the celebrities participating in a new Public Service Announcement from the Carol Channing and Harry Kullijian Foundation that will be premiered at the upcoming  national PTA meeting and then distributed through both local and national PTA offices.  Among the other participants in the PSA, which encourages support for arts programs in schools, are Florence Henderson, Kevin Sorbo, Kate Linder, Donna Mills, Lily Tomlin, JoAnne Worley, and, of course, Carol Channing herself.

Click here to read a new article 'At Home With...Stefanie Powers' by Lisa Iannucci

July 21, 1912 - Jan. 3, 2009

We are saddened to announce that Stefanie's mother, Julie Powers, passed away on Jan. 3, 2009.  For those who wish to view Julie's online memorial, please Click Here.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are welcome in Julie's name to the William Holden Wildlife Foundation.

Cinderella, The Musical Pantomime ran from December 5, 2008 to January 17, 2009 at the Mayflower Theatre in Manchester, England.

Cinderella and the Fairy Godmother
(Rachel Stanley and Stefanie Powers)

The Fairy Godmother (Stefanie Powers)

Group shot - left to right - Baron Hardup (Iain Stuart Robertson), Ugly Sister Flower (Matthew Rixon),
Prince Charming (Craig McLachlan), Cinderella (Rachel Stanley), Buttons (Christopher Biggins),
The Fairy Godmother (Stefanie Powers), Dandini (Nigel Garton), Ugly Sister May (Matthew Kelly)

Archived News:      2011 2009 2008

© Stefanie Powers 2009 Page Last Updated 8/13/09