Abeny Kucha, keynote speaker
A local event will be held to recognize Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the day set aside as a national holiday to honor him. The program will be at First United Methodist Church on Monday, January 18 at 7 p.m. This community event has been held for 22 years.
The program highlights the non-violent theme King used during the civil rights movement of the '50's and '60's. This year's theme is "Love Your Neighbor." Students and community members will be involved in the hour long program. Program highlights include the Indian Hills Community College Concert choir; the Ottumwa High School JROTC Color Guard, Meistersingers, and drama students; and community vocalists.
The keynote speaker this year is Abeny Kucha. Kucha is a single mother who survived the civil war and genocide in her homeland of South Sudan. After immigrating to the United States,she became a certified nursing assistant and worked at Mayo Clinic for almost ten years as a surgical processing tech.
The mother of two daughters and three sons, she is also the author of "Tears Of a Mother," endorsed by Dr. Mary Pipher, author of "Reviving Ophelia."
