The Human Needs Project Raises $350,000 at 10th Anniversary Celebration

The Human Needs Project (HNP) celebrated its 10th anniversary on Wednesday, October 2 at Fort Mason in San Francisco, raising critical funds to support its work in Kibera. Kibera is a division of Nairobi, Kenya, and the largest urban slum in Africa. Hosted by acclaimed actress Connie Nielsen, an HNP founder, the evening was a spectacular tribute to HNP’s decade-long impact, blending philanthropy, music and community engagement.

The event featured an exciting silent auction, where two tickets to the worldwide premiere of Gladiator 2 in Los Angeles sold for $40,000. The exclusive package included access to the premiere viewing and a VIP after-party with the movie’s stars, including Connie Nielsen, who reprises her role as Lucilla, alongside Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal and Paul Mescal.

The evening kicked off with an elegant cocktail reception overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, followed by a seated dinner. Master of Ceremonies Betty Yu kept the energy lively throughout the night, and guests were treated to inspiring performances by Kibera musical artist Daniel Futwax. The event highlighted HNP’s programs, particularly the scholarships and opportunities provided to artists like Futwax. HNP not only equips the community with basic needs services like clean water, education, sanitation, energy infrastructure and an urban farming program, but also empowers Kibera’s youth by showcasing their talent on the global stage.