A brunch to benefit an orphanage in South Africa will be held Sunday at Leland Public School.

A group called “Caring Comets”has formed at Leland School to aid an orphanage in Durban, South Africa. Lake Leelanau resident Emma Smith, who is spending her junior year in South Africa as a Rotary International Exchange student, was so moved by the plight of children during her visits to the orphanage that she called upon her classmates at home to organize a humanitarian relief effort. 

At least half of the 100 orphans have HIV/AIDS and have been traumatized by rape and abuse, Smith said, adding the prospects for adoption are virtually nonexistent. Workers report that most of the children have never been outside the orphanage, even to visit a store or supermarket. The children are fed on a budget of about 4 rand a week, the equivalent of about 60 cents, and have few books or toys.

The Leland students will host the brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the school cafeteria. The menu includes Pdoro Wat Chicken from Ethiopia (chicken in a spicy Berbere sauce); ground nut tagine from Morocco; yam and vegetable stew in a spicy peanut broth from Ghana;  kidney beans, greens and yams with ginger from Kenya; polenta; injera, a pancake-like bread used instead of utensils; and coconut banana tapioca.

Admission is $12 for adults, $7 for children 12 and under, and $30 for families.

Proceeds from the event will be matched by the Suttons Bay-Leelanau County Rotary Club and sent to the orphanage.