Dear Bread and Water for Africa® Inc. Family,

The passing of Adeline “Addy” Rose Krizek this past weekend has brought messages of grief from not only those who knew her well in her community of Alexandria, Virginia, where she was revered for her selfless service to Christian Relief Services Charities Inc.  and many local nonprofits which she served as a volunteer, but also from sub-Saharan Africa.

Addy was the wife of Christian Relief Services Charities Inc.  founder Gene Krizek and was by his side as secretary/treasurer on May 12, 1986, at the very first joint board meeting of the founding members of the organization with motto: “A Gentle Voice for Good.”

Over the years, Christian Relief Services Charites Inc.  evolved into an umbrella organization for several nonprofit agencies, including Bread and Water for Africa® whose mission to provide a loving home, basic needs, an education, health care, clean water and more for orphaned and destitute children in countries including Cameroon, Kenya, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe and elsewhere which she supported with all her heart.

I know she never forgot her trip on the Bread and Water for Africa® tour to Kenya where she was able to meet our international spokesperson, Phyllis Keino, founder and director of the Lewa Children’s Home, the “mother” to hundreds of orphaned and abandoned children. But more importantly for Addy was the joy she saw in the faces of the children who got three meals a day, a warm bed to sleep in every night and the opportunity to go to school because of Phyllis and the supporters of Bread and Water for Africa®.

“Our friend and  a mother to many  Africa’s children, kindness was contagious and her memory will live on forever.”

“My deepest condolences to you and your family during this time. Gene, Paul and Bryan, Addy was an amazing woman, and she will truly be missed. I will always remember the special times we spent together in Eldoret, Kenya; pole pole ( sorry sorry).”  Phyllis Keino

Upon hearing of her death, I heard from several of our partners expressing their sadness.

“Our hearts are very heavy and sad about the news of the passing of our ‘Mother of Africa,’ Mrs. Adeline Krizek, a Godly woman who together with our dear father, Mr. Gene Krizek, touched thousands and thousands of hearts, especially children,” wrote Margaret Makambira, founder and director of our longtime partner, Shinga Development Trust/Lerato Children’s Village in Zimbabwe.

“We in Mutare have enjoyed their faithful partnership for over 20 years now. Her vision has borne fruit to many young people who are now teachers, nurses, police officers and army personnel, to name but a few.”

“Her vision also helped to save many children who were starving, and she fed them.”

In Zambia, Angela Miyanda, founder and director of our longtime partner there, the Kabwata Orphanage and Transit Centre, addressed Bryan Krizek, executive director of Christian Relief Services Charities and a son of Addy and Gene, writing “We in Zambia learnt of the death of your mother, and wife of Gene, with a lot of sadness.”

“We have all benefited from the kindness of your parents’ selfless love towards children in need,” she continued. “Our board, the children and caregivers are all praying for God’s comfort to you in your time of bereavement.”

“We will always love and appreciate your mother. The children at Kabwata have made it today because of the love of the Krizek founders and family. To Gene, I say let God be your peace. The joy of God will be your strength.”

“Sleep well Aunt Addy.

From Cameroon, Esther Ndichafah, founder and director of Hope Services, wrote to express her condolences.

“This is so sad! May the Lord comfort Papa Krizek, her family, and her extended family which is Christian Relief Services and Bread and Water for Africa® “

From Sierra Leone, our longtime partner the Rev. Francis A.M. Mambu, founding and director of Faith Healing Development Organization, wrote: “I am sorry to hear of the passing away of Addy Krizek. On behalf of FHDO, we send our condolences to Mr. Krizek, their children, Christian Relief Services and Bread and Water for Africa®. “

“This is a great loss to the continent of Africa, and especially Sierra Leone. May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”

As Executive Director of Bread and Water for Africa®, it was my great honor to have known her personally, share in how her kind heart and humanitarian work on behalf of people she would need meet – especially the orphaned children and expecting young women and mothers with children under five, among the most vulnerable people in the world.

Her life can be summed up in one of my favorite verses from the Bible: “Many daughters have done nobly. But you excel them all.” – Proverbs 31:29.

Sincerely,

Beth Tessema

Executive Director

Bread and Water for Africa®