Hamilton hosting adoption gala to 'get the word out' UT AD to raise awareness about work in Africa

While sitting in the Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, airport last year, University of Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton discovered the meaning of his youngest adopted daughter's name.

An elderly woman told him that "Kalu" in Amharic meant "get the word out." Kalu is 16 months.

"We felt like that was a sign that God was giving to us to help tell the story of the orphan crisis," Hamilton said recently.

Hamilton and his wife, Beth, will host an April 15 gala to raise awareness about orphans and ongoing work in Africa.

The evening will feature performances from Steven Curtis Chapman, a Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, and Watoto Children's Choir, an international touring group of Ugandan orphans.

Proceeds from the gala will be split between two ministries, Show Hope and Blood:Water Mission.

Show Hope is Chapman's organization that gives partial grants to help families complete the adoption process.

Blood:Water Mission, founded by Grammy Award-winning band Jars of Clay, works with African communities to combat the HIV/AIDS and water crises. It builds fresh water wells and teaches the community how to service them.

The organization recently constructed a clinic in Marsabit, Kenya, and the hospital's director, Aida Samir, will speak at the gala.

The Hamiltons, who have five adopted children - one from North Carolina, one from Tennessee and three from Ethiopia - have established the Kalu Grace Foundation to fund organizations that are dealing with the world's orphan crisis and efforts relating to domestic and international adoption issues, Mike Hamilton said.

The April 15 gala may spur some participants to adopt, give to organizations or go on short-term mission trips, he said.

"I don't know where God will touch people but our goal is that what's happening in Africa will be seen in a small way and they'll be compelled to reach out," he said.

Lola Alapo may be reached at 865-342-6376.

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