Peter Kithene received a hero’s welcome November 15 from supporters of Mama Maria Kenya at its Third Annual Benefit Auction, which raised $106,000. The UW grad and 2007 CNN Hero founded the Seattle nonprofit to benefit health care in rural Africa. Attendees took the evening’s Twende (Swahili for "Let’s go") theme to heart by eagerly enjoying African cuisine and a silent auction. African art, a safari, and a Brazilian vacation package were among the items up for grabs.