Judy with Chris Matthews

In September 2004, Judy Pancoast joined commentator Chris Matthews from "Hardball", his wife Kathleen Matthews, and several U.S. Senators and Congressmen at the Washington, DC benefit for the Nyumbani Children's Orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya.

Nyumbani is a one-of-a-kind refuge for children whose parents have died of AIDS and who themselves are HIV positive. That evening, to the rapt attention of the 300 guests who had gathered for this special occasion, Pancoast premiered two original songs written and recorded by the children of Nyumbani, expressly for the children of the United States.

Previously, in April, Pancoast journeyed to Kenya, where she conducted an artist-in-residence workshop with several Nyumbani children. Under her guidance, they wrote lyrics and composed the melody for "Thank God for Nyumbani" and "Children of God," which they performed, then professionally recorded, and which will soon be available in the U.S. on CD.

Judy is pictured here with Chris Matthews, who has joined with the many international friends of Nyumbani in becoming long-time supporters of the orphanage.

 

  

Judy visits Nyumbani, an orphanage in Kenya that is home to 92 HIV positive children