‘Oprah of Cedar Rapids’ raises funds for African school

CEDAR RAPIDS - Kellie Lala's friends call her the Oprah of Cedar Rapids.

Lala, 56, doesn't do a daytime talk show, but like the media mogul, she is the benefactor of a school in Africa. Since 2006, Lala has raised more than $70,000 for the Tumaini Junior School in Karatu, Tanzania. Supporting the school has become Lala's passion, she said.

'It's just extremely rewarding,” she said.

Lala, a native of Cedar Rapids, discovered the school during a trip to Tanzania in 2005. The trip leader and guide for her photo safari was a man named Modest Bayo. During her trip, Lala learned Bayo had started a school in Karatu, his home village. While it wasn't on the itinerary, Lala talked Bayo into making a visit to the school.

'It just had a very profound effect on my heart,” Lala recalls. 'Just how education there is a privilege, not a requirement. I decided then I would help him with his mission of educating the children of his village.”

Lala sells radio advertising for Z102.9 and KGYM/ESPN Radio for a living, so asking people for money wasn't a challenge. Since 2006, she has been raising funds through her church, Noelridge Christian Church in Cedar Rapids. She's also given her own money to the school since 2005.

Fundraising efforts over the years have included selling candles handmade by a friend, a concert and selling Hy-Vee coupon books. Her most successful event has been Arts for Africa.

'I invite artists to come and sell items in their booth space,” she said. 'I also do a silent auction.”

The fifth annual Arts for Africa event is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 22 at Noelridge Christian, 7111 C. Ave. NE. Lala said the event still has booth space for artists. Those interested can contact the church by calling (319) 393-9532.

Stew Royce, pastor at Noelridge Christian for the last five years, said the church has supported Lala in her fundraising efforts, but gave Lala all of the credit as the 'driving force.”

'It really is incredible how much the school in Africa has grown and developed,” he said.

Bayo visited the church in 2013 and the church had a special service at the time, Royce said.

'It was pretty cool,” he said.

Lala said donations to the Tumaini Junior School have funded solar-powered water heaters, generators and other items. Last year, she raised $9,000, which will almost completely cover the bill to construct a new building with three classrooms.

Lala has made three visits to the school and has been able to see firsthand the fruits of her fundraising efforts. During one trip, she was surprised to learn one of the classroom buildings had been named for her and Noelridge Christian.

'It's very humbling,” she said. 'And I always cry because it's very emotional.”

Lala's last trip to Tanzania was in 2014. She plans to return to the school in 2018.

l Comments: (319) 398-8238; lee.hermiston@thegazette.com